“Where do you take guests to experience Heber?”
That was a survey question intended to gather resident feedback on the redesign of Heber City’s Main Street Park.
While many of the top answers referred to the great outdoors, beloved restaurants and the Heber Valley Railroad, the second-most popular answer was not even in town. Fifty-six of 400 respondents said they spend their time in Midway when friends and family come to visit.
That’s part of why Heber City plans to redesign Main Street Park as a Trailhead Plaza by the 2034 Olympics: to increase foot traffic and spending downtown, host year-round activities and shape a community identity.
Engineering firm Terracon led an effort earlier this year to gather feedback on what residents want to see in a park redesign, which included three open houses and the aforementioned survey. Representatives from Terracon and MHTN Architects presented their findings to the City Council on Tuesday.
Terracon identified a set of priority elements for the Trailhead Plaza, and representatives asked the City Council for direction on a preliminary design for the project. Principal Dave Harris said the goal is to align the consulting firm’s vision with the city.
“We’re going to do the right thing for the city and for the community and for the majority. … I think we can take this information and figure out what’s just right for Heber,” he said.
To gauge residents’ interests, Terracon drew up three designs based on the initial 134-page plaza design created by architect Roger Brooks last March. Brooks’ vision included elements such as a 12,000-square-foot ice ribbon, a splash pad and space for community vendors. His goal was “to have at least 20 vendors on the square at all times.”
Brooks’ plan had a price tag of $23 million. Terracon’s designs explored low-, medium- and high-cost versions of Brooks’ plan but did not include precise cost estimates. Each design tweaked elements like the amount of retail and the size of the lawn and ice ribbon.
Respondents consistently ranked the lawn and preservation of historic trees as their favorite elements in each concept they were presented with, though Brooks’ plan did not emphasize those elements.
“(Trees are one) of the few public assets that increase in value over time. Whereas others fall apart, trees get stronger, healthier and more robust, providing irreplaceable shade and beauty,” said Ryan Wallace, a planner and architect with MHTN Architects.
Retail was less popular. Terracon’s designs included a mixture of retail buildings and glass kiosks rented as incubator spaces to local businesses. A common response was to “consider less or no retail and buildings on the site,” according to Terracon’s presentation. Some requested that the park host vendors in the summer instead of year-round.
The ice ribbon received mixed reactions, particularly about its potential costs and maintenance. Some public commenters at Tuesday’s meeting added that it was inessential given Heber City’s proximity to the Midway Ice Rink. So, Terracon plans to minimize the ice ribbon’s size.
Terracon’s other listed priorities for the park include shaded areas, upgraded restrooms and a new all-abilities playground.
Thirty-one percent of respondents to Terracon’s survey indicated they did not like any of the concept designs for the park. Several commenters also spoke against the Trailhead Plaza redesign.
However, resident Alexandra Fullmer pointed out that doesn’t mean respondents were opposed to any changes at the park. Fullmer said many of the people she had talked to desired smaller, less expensive improvements — like the bathrooms and playground — instead of a complete overhaul.
Community member Tracy Taylor argued the city could use its money “much more frugally” by improving existing parks. She also voiced her discomfort with adding retail to Main Street Park.
“I’ve heard from Main Street merchants themselves that don’t want the competition. They can barely make their lease payments or their mortgage payments,” she said.
Although the official public feedback period is completed, City Councilor Yvonne Barney welcomed the engagement.
“If you’re seeing this, and you’re going, ‘Wow, we don’t want that,’ let us know,” she encouraged.
City councilors did not provide specific design direction for Terracon, instead asking to continue the discussion to May 19 to provide time to digest the survey results.
However, they agreed Terracon had given them a great place to start.
“I appreciate that we’re whittling down Roger Brooks’ presentation,” Barney said. “I think that’s been the biggest source of frustration for most of the citizens, is that it was just so much, and there was such a huge alteration of the community park that we have currently. … I’m really glad that we’re starting to see (it) a little bit more (realistically).”
After incorporating City Council feedback, Terracon will present a final preferred master plan and construction budget for the Trailhead Plaza sometime in June.