November 20, 2020 — This month, we are feeling thankful that 2020 is coming to a close. Still, there are many important and exciting updates related to Funding Our Future projects! Read on for the latest information.
Also, it is more critical than ever to follow the latest COVID recommendations. Learn more at the State of Utah’s COVID page here and Salt Lake City’s COVID resource page here.
On September 1st, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced a national eviction moratorium for virtually all tenants in the United States impacted by the COVID pandemic. This order bans landlords from evicting tenants for non-payment of rent through the end of 2020 if the tenants have submitted a declaration of income loss or significant medical expense. Please note, this does not mean you will not accrue additional back pay in rent, or pay off existing rent, but it will protect against evictions until the end of the year. At this time, in 2021 all back pay rent will need to be resolved.
Salt Lake City’s Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Division continues to have a COVID-related housing resource guide for the community: renters, landlords, and homeowners.
Salt Lake City Mayor Mendenhall and the Salt Lake City Council continue to work jointly on several fronts to address equity in policing. You can read the October 2020 Progress Report for this issue here and check out the full City Council Racial Equity and Policing Hub here. The Racial Equity in Policing Commission has three subcommittees and a youth committee preparing reports and planning a listening session for the public. An audit team for a review of the police budget is closer to being selected; the scope of the audit is going through some adjustment as the City prepares for the next step, the zero-based budgeting process for the Salt Lake City Police Department. You can view all weekly recaps of City Council meetings here.
The Frequent Transit Network, aka FTN, bus routes (routes 2, 9, 21, 200, and 217) are providing frequent, early morning, late night, and Sunday service. This service is safe, as rigorous cleaning is a top priority and face coverings are required on all Utah Transit Authority (UTA) services. Learn more about UTA’s COVID updates here. With the ski season almost here, UTA has also implemented additional safety measures for Ski Bus service to help you stay safe all season long. Learn more here.
For the most efficient use of City resources, the contractor will now complete construction of all bus stop improvements at the same time in early 2021. In partnership with UTA, these improvements will make bus stops accessible to all riders, including those with disabilities. Improvements will vary by stop but may include the addition of shelters, benches, trash cans, bike racks, and lighting. To learn more and see maps of where the bus improvements are happening, visit www.slc.gov/transit/
There is exciting progress to report on multiple Funding Our Future bond reconstruction projects! After more than a year of listening to the public, stakeholders, and local businesses, the 300 West project is in the final stages of design; when rebuilt, the street will feature a new world-class bikeway, new sidewalks, and two new crosswalks. You can watch the overview video here and learn more about at 300westslc.com.
Meanwhile, the 200 South Transit Corridor Plan team has developed 3 high-level design concepts based on recent discussions with stakeholders, City staff, and feedback from the public. These concepts show different opportunities for prioritizing transit and providing more pedestrian benefits, landscaping, and streetscape improvements. Review the concepts and take the survey here by November 30, 2020!
Salt Lake City believes that public input is very important in making the right decisions for our City. Want to stay in the loop on all City-wide surveys and feedback opportunities? Sign up for the Feedback Community here to get regular emails, and find a list of current active surveys—like the one about the 200 South reconstruction project—here under “Current Feedback Opportunities.”
Masks are required, and the CDC recommends celebrating holidays virtually or with members of your own household which is the lowest risk for COVID spread. To learn more, visit www.slc.gov/covid.