Salt Lake City, UT — Economic Development Growing

December 2013

The Sugar House Streetcar line opened for service on December 8, 2013. According to an article in the Salt Lake City Tribune, there are signs of economic benefit along the route, although the economic downturn may have slowed the process. So far 110 residential units have been completed along the line and another 700 are under construction. In the pipeline are 110,000 square feet of retail development, according to Salt Lake City mayor Ralph Becker.

His South Salt Lake City counterpart, mayor Cherie Wood cited 1 million square feet of retail, 350,000 square feet of office space, and 3,000 new residential units in her city.

The delay in some of these projects has resulted in fewer than the anticipated 3,000 riders per day on the streetcar. The first week of service saw an average of only 781 riders per day.

Many of the projected developments are now underway or will be started soon, according to officials. Ridership is expected to grow as these projects are completed.