I am writing as a concerned resident in Park Meadows regarding the Bonanza Park 5-acre parcel and the critical decision that lies in front of the Park City Council regarding the plan to spend more than $40 million to build a series of three-story buildings with mixed use of retail and low-income housing in one of the business roadways in Park City.
As you probably know, this land was purchased to develop the arts and culture center in Park City (the old Maverik gas station). But unfortunately, that future no longer exists with the departure of the Kimball Arts Museum and the exit of the Sundance Film Festival.
The initiative was a noble one to enhance our community for all residents in Park City. Let’s return to that commitment to do something for all residents in our community.
The current plan is now to invest more money into a project that puts more commercial development and housing, including an underground parking infrastructure located in one of the busiest traffic zones in Park City between Kearns and Bonanza.
As all of us know, Park City is not a great place because of what we have built, but because what we have not built.
To that end, we have a choice to either build more buildings, more housing, more multi-use buildings with structures three stories tall; or invest in our future with a community-based initiative that would increase our open space for all Park City residents. A place that can attract and amplify the beauty of our city with more green space.
We could envision a place that can become a parks and recreation area, which can serve as a center of activity for all residents without compounding traffic.
This alternative would not only enhance Park City, it would also require less investment and be more fiscally responsible.
Let’s create a space for today and generations to come and explore other alternatives to build more parking, housing and retail to a location with less density and vulnerability to an already overburdened traffic zone.
Peter Mottek
Boca Raton and Park City