August 21, 2020 — You can always learn about how Funding Our Future projects are being implemented on the website. But have you ever wondered where all the Funding Our Future projects are being implemented across Salt Lake City? Now, you can—by exploring the new Funding Our Future project map! This map has been months in the making, and staff are ready to finally share it so that Salt Lake City residents can have a deeper understanding of all the ongoing Funding Our Future projects. So many of these projects, especially access to housing and transit, are more critical than ever as our community continues to navigate the “normal for now” during the COVID pandemic.
Earlier this month, Salt Lake City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Division hosted a Facebook Live AMA to address issues of those facing eviction. They also continue to have a COVID-related housing resource guide for the community.
Meanwhile, Salt Lake City recently announced $1.1 million dollars in housing stability assistance:
Rapid Re-Housing (for individuals or households 50% AMI, experiencing homelessness)
Rental Assistance (for individuals or households 60% AMI, facing evictions)
Mortgage Assistance (for low-income individuals or households facing foreclosure)
Also earlier this month, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall signed an Executive Order directing Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) Chief Mike Brown to make 7 reforms to the SLCPD’s policies by September 5th of 2020. Learn more details about the reforms here.
This past week, Mayor Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Council adopted a joint resolution formally establishing the Commission on Racial Equity in Policing. This Commission is the new advising body convened to make recommendations to the Mayor and Council on the City’s policy, budget, and culture of policing. The joint resolution unanimously makes the Commission a public body under the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act to ensure its meetings and actions are open to the public. Learn more about this change here.
In response to COVID, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) reduced service temporarily in April of 2020. But on August 23, 2020 (Change Day), UTA is restoring 90 percent of service, targeting improvements for those who need the service the most. The Frequent Transit Network, aka FTN, bus routes (along 200 South, 900 South, and 2100 South) are all being restored to, or improved beyond, pre-COVID levels! Route 200, State Street North, also will have the same FTN service and frequency. UTA continues to ensure safety on the system with actions like requiring masks and daily vehicle and station cleaning and disinfecting.
And check out the latest posts on UTA’s Community Rides blog. This features stories of essential workers in our community who depend on riding transit, like Quinn Johnson, a registered nurse working at the University Hospital.
Several Funding Our Future bond street reconstruction projects, like Elizabeth Street, as well as 700 West, 500 East, and 2000 East, all continue to make progress this summer. Meanwhile, street maintenance projects (funded by Funding Our Future sales tax revenue) like Parley’s Way are also making progress this summer.
While all these projects are already underway, many other street projects are just starting the public engagement phase, an important aspect of the City’s decision-making process. For instance, check out this new infographic about the community feedback received so far on the 200 South Corridor Plan! You can always learn more about the status of street projects, and ways to submit feedback, by visiting slc.gov/MyStreet/.
On August 18th, the City Council adopted a resolution for project funding allocations in the Capital Improvement Program, which involves the construction, purchase or renovation of buildings, parks, streets or other physical structures. Generally, projects have a useful life of five or more years and cost $50,000 or more. View the final project list here.
Salt Lake City’s higher numbers of COVID continue to warrant the ‘orange’ risk phase. Mayor Mendenhall is providing continuing guidance for our City during this time.