New $1.4B gondola projection & 2050 RTP
For constituents following or now newly learning about the disastrous 22-commercial tower gondola & its 2500 parking garage that UDOT intends to build in the southeastern corner of Cottonwood Heights’ residential, foothill area, read on.
Late breaking news is that UDOT has been successful at getting the very council (WFRC) that is supposed to be looking out for, in their words, “developing and implementing visions and plans for a well-functioning multi-modal transportation system, livable communities, a strong economy, and a healthy environment” into WFRC’s 2050 RTP (Regional Transportation Plan).
The mayors of Sandy, Alta, Cottonwood Heights, SLC and SLCO have all denounced the gondola for its fiscally irresponsible price tag and degradation to our water source, canyon & foothills eco-systems, and downright lack of viably improving transit locally or regionally. All that, when practical and quickly implementable, flexible, scalable solutions are at hand (i.e. a phone app. directing motorists to best parking/timing/carpool & bus options, additional bus facilities & frequency, tolling to incentivize higher vehicle occupancy, tire inspections, resort parking reservation systems, etc.). For a fraction of the cost to taxpayers!
The following municipalities have passed formal resolutions against gondola and favoring practical solutions: Cottonwood Heights, Alta, Salt Lake County, and SLC.
More from the executive director of Save Our Canyons regarding today, January 26th:
"Hey all - quick note to say thanks for the help and getting awareness to this WFRC meeting.
I spoke with Caroline Gleich earlier on this who had a great idea of having a subtle, and silent/respectful way of showing support was to wear green. If you feel so inclined to encourage folks to wear green against the gondola and against the waste of tax payer dollars, and for the protection, stewardship and implementation of common sense solutions for the Wasatch incorporate a pop of green, as she put it.
I do think signs would be a bit much for tomorrow, its gonna be a tight space… like being in a gondola car for an hour ;) I’d request we try a different tactic in showing solidarity without being too in your face. I get it we are all hot on these issues - but I think we have a real opportunity to present facts, ideas, about why this is so egregious. Remember, we are courting votes of WFRC members. I do not believe WFRC is the enemy. As a matter of fact, when I spoke to Andrew today, he was in DC lobbying for front runner $ and first/last mile transit dollars.
Key ask for tomorrow is to not include the gondola in the draft plan as there is no decisions on the EIS yet. This effort is premature, and reeks of the predetermination aroma that has effervesced from the LCC EIS process since its inception and 3 false starts. If they want the gondola, or whatever UDOT decides, let’s have that discussion when there’s a decision, rather than writing a big blank check for whatever UDOT wishes in LCC (while completely and totally ignoring BCC).
WFRC and others will probably say — we are just wanting to take public comment… but this is exactly what UDOT is supposed to be doing and why there has yet to be a decision on the EIS... because they’ve gotten so many comments they are evaluating them. To incorporate what we don’t know into a regional transportation plan is horrible planning. Our canyons and our communities deserve better.
Should we be unsuccessful tomorrow - we need to channel our energies to WFRC’s comment period and work up and down their region to organize comments from new communities. I think success looks cool, calm, informed and collected… "with a pop of green."
We will find a way through this massif, some routes are direct but don’t go, some take the long way around, but as I look at my note from Sen. Warren about taking her through the Wasatch, its some of the best advice I’ve ever received…. Persist! She told me to remember that today’s adversary might be tomorrow’s ally.
It’s easier said than done, but important nonetheless.
Carl Fisher
Executive Director
Save Our Canyons
ph: (801) 539-5333
WFRC’s 2050 RTP includes $1.4B gondola system. Why a 2500 stall garage instead of “Intermodal Hub at mouth of BCC” as originally, and sanely, planned in 2019?