Transforming the Jordan

May 02, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) A plan is underway to transform the Jordan River from its historical use as an industrial canal into one of Utah's natural treasures. Envision Utah's Blueprint Jordan River project is piecing together public input from the 15 municipalities and three counties through which it flows.

"There's transportation, there's recreation, there's economic development, there is quality of life," says Gabe Epperson, project manager for Envision Utah. "There's so many issues and so many entities that it's really been a challenge to bring everybody together and work together on a shared vision."

The group has organized a steering committee with local officials, environmental and recreation groups, and other stakeholders to coordinate the piecemeal river corridor improvements currently underway. One of Envision Utah's goals is to improve the recreation and transportation opportunities along the river by linking a system of trails from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. Other ideas include enticing world-class boating, biking and foot-races; fishing; nature areas for migratory birds; and parks and open space. These improvements will attract new businesses to locate here, says steering committee member Eric Allen, who is also a business development manager for the Economic Corporation of Utah.

"If the communities do try to take a proactive stance and do some things with this river in kind of a unifying vision that may not have been done before," Allen says. "We have the opportunity to enhance some of the other things that are going on here that raises Salt Lake County as a premiere metropolitan area."

Envision Utah is holding Blueprint Jordan River workshops to gather ideas from the public about how to improve the river. The first workshop will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Sandy City Hall. The group also has an on-line survey for those unable to attend a workshop. Click here for more information about the workshop series and click here for the survey.

 

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