The opening weeks of the next mayoral administration will be hectic, regardless of the winner on Election Day in November.
Either Ryan Dickey or Jack Rubin will take office in early January. City Hall by then is expected to be amid the recruitment for a permanent city manager, and the municipal government’s preparations for the last Sundance Film Festival that will be held in Park City will be in the final stages. The new mayor will also likely be planning to travel to the Winter Olympics in Italy in February as part of a fact-finding mission as the community continues the early efforts toward the Games of 2034 in the state.
The high-profile work that will be undertaken at the outset of the next mayoral administration will garner attention. But the person occupying Park City’s top political office will also need to begin to address the everyday community issues, the topics that will weigh on voters as they make their decision in November.
The first 100 days of an administration account for just a small part of a four-year term, but they can be important nonetheless in setting a tone for a new mayor.
In the case of the 2025 election, either Dickey, a current member of the Park City Council, or Rubin, who has a business background, will enter the mayor’s office at a moment when there are questions in the community about the pace of progress at the Marsac Building. Parkites are wondering about the future of City Hall land in Bonanza Park, the preparations for the Games of 2034, transportation possibilities and other key issues.
The two candidates early in the week outlined their vision for the first 100 days of an administration — other than the city manager recruitment and the Games in Milan — in response to an inquiry from The Park Record. In prepared statements, they discussed their plans for the 100 days between the swearing-in ceremony and early April.
Rubin outlined a desire to work on “repairing regional and agency relationships.”
“Park City isn’t even on UDOT’s priority list, and the state views us as difficult. Balanced collaboration with Summit County and direct ties to Wasatch County and east side Summit communities would better serve 84060 residents. State and regional relationships have been strained under the last two administrations,” he said.
His effort would involve “a different approach: fair and transparent negotiation, strong defense of our community and financial contributions, constructive dialogue, and pursuit of mutually beneficial outcomes.”
“Our partners would welcome this reset, leaving old disagreements behind and moving toward shared solutions. That’s how Park City secures better outcomes for residents, partners like Recycle Utah, land use planning, and long-term transportation investment,” Rubin said.
The candidate also explained that he would “launch a step-by-step strategy for Park City’s future” in the first 100 days.
“With a new General Plan, we need a framework that puts residents’ needs and vision at the center. That starts with infrastructure: traffic, parking, transit, and circulation planning. China Bridge is nearing the end of its life, Bonanza Park is on the table, and Main Street revitalization is underway. The first step is an overarching circulation plan so we know how people and cars move through town,” Rubin said. “From there, we can improve arterial access, address aerial connections to and through resorts, and align density only where infrastructure supports it. The intent is simple: build a future Park City where smart planning reduces frustration and keeps quality of life high for the people who live here.”
Dickey said in his discussions with Parkites during the campaign that he continues “hearing the same thing: people want action, not excuses. I couldn’t agree more.”
“My first 100 days will drive the council toward making clear its vision on two big decisions that have been put off for too long,” he said. “First, decide the future of the former arts-and-culture land on Bonanza. Whether it becomes a vibrant arts-centric, mixed-use hub for locals or five acres of park space, we can’t afford more delays. It’s time for decisive action. Second, with the 2034 Olympics on the horizon, we will advance a real transportation plan for the 248 corridor that integrates with our neighborhoods, 224, Main Street and ski resorts. We’ll set measurable goals to move visitors into public transit, reduce traffic, and protect quality of life in our community. The Olympics are a once-in-a-generation chance to solve some of our challenges and we’ll seize the moment.”
He said he would convene a discussion with the mountain resorts.
“I will also bring our resort partners to the table to set a clear path forward, work together, and find compromise to enhance the ski experience for locals and (visitors) alike and prepare for what’s needed both immediately and into the future. It’s time to use common sense and move ski lifts and on-mountain improvements forward. We are a ski town,” he said.