Transforming Utah’s Small Communities for Economic Growth and Community Development

Utah, a state known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cities, has also witnessed the remarkable growth of numerous small communities. As Utah continues to thrive and grow, smaller communities within the state are emerging and providing new opportunities for their residents.

CRS has partnered with different cities in the state looking to redevelop their main streets, breathe new life into their historic corridors, and preserve their unique character while introducing modern elements that meet the community’s evolving needs. A vital part to support these projects is to improve their public infrastructure.

Redeveloping main streets provides numerous benefits not only to the community but to the overall growth of the state. Community development is vital for a state’s growth as it:

• Fosters economic development
• Enhances the quality of life
• Promotes social cohesion and inclusion
• Supports sustainable practices
• Empowers residents
• Attracts investments and tourism

An example of this is the work CRS has done with Vernal, Payson, and Ogden City, each city had common goals they were looking to accomplish with the redevelopment of their main streets and downtown areas, but each one had its unique challenges.

Vernal City’s “Zions Block”

Zions Block in Vernal City

Vernal City is a prime destination for adventure due to its beautiful landscapes and Dinosaur Museum, which is home to the largest quarry of prehistoric Jurassic dinosaur fossils. Vernal also hosts yearly festivals such as the hot air balloon festival and rodeo celebrations, making it a great destination for tourism.

To continue diversifying and strengthening the community, Vernal is redeveloping its downtown area to create a more inviting and diverse experience for its residents and visitors. CRS is working with the City to provide professional design services for the improvement of Zion’s Block.

Our team made several improvements to enhance the downtown area:

• Added a storm drain retention system to help improve the City’s water conveyance during storm events
• Replaced aging sewer and water mains and laterals to improve efficiency and reliability
• Improved the parking lot for the entire interior block area to optimize space and provide more parking spots
• Added sidewalks to establish better connectivity between downtown and the surrounding blocks
• Created a plaza space behind the buildings along Main Street that can be used for dining and small events
• Designed and implemented electric vehicle charging stations to create eco-friendly initiatives

Dumke Arts Plaza

Ogden Nine Rails

The Nine Rails Creative District has been and continues to be one of the most anticipated and creative projects the City has seen. After receiving a grant in 2015 to use creative placing and engagement in the arts, The City has been working on this project that would not only support and encourage creatives while fostering economic growth through new business and increased visitors. The Nine Rails Creative District will also serve as the gateway between downtown and the east-central neighborhood.

This project aimed to breathe new life into a neglected urban space in Ogden, transforming a once rundown motel into a dynamic concrete plaza that now serves as a hub for community events, food truck gatherings, and community activities.

Our CRS team was tasked with the following:

• We created a concrete plaza with stairs and ADA ramps up to an overhang.
• We designed storm drain, making sure to protect the foundation of an adjacent hotel, using a combination of catch basins and land drains, and providing onsite detention.

• We designed water system improvements to enhance the functionality of the drinking fountain and storage room located within the plaza

The Nine Rails Creative District has been identified as the area between Grant and Madison Avenues, from 24th to 26th Streets in Ogden City.

Payson Main Street

Payson Main Street

Payson is one of the oldest historic cities in Utah; it was founded in 1850 and carries a strong heritage from its early founders. The City is known for the Peteetneet Academy and Museum and the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway, which offers many overlooks and wildlife viewing and has become a place for outdoor activities.

Payson is expected to grow exponentially in the upcoming years and is taking a proactive approach to handling the community’s growth. For this reason, the City is looking to redevelop its Main Street to create more inviting spaces and improve active transportation with the goal of giving residents a place they can gather, shop, and dine. This will provide new business opportunities and help increase sales for current business owners.

CRS Engineers was responsible for the following:

• Active transportation design for pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and bikeways to improve safety and mobility.
• Our team designed infrastructure updates, including a half-mile road widening, curb and gutter improvements, and utilities upgrades
• Preserved historic buildings while providing more capacity to Payson City

CRS is proud to be part of projects that not only bring economic growth while improving the community in our state. Through this, we have helped provide opportunities for business owners, residents, and visitors.

By investing in the development of strong and vibrant communities, states can create an environment where people want to live, work, and thrive, contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the state.

For more information, contact Greg Nelson at greg.nelson@crsengineers.com