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SALT LAKE CITY -- In a controversial move, Salt Lake is attempting to get the city budget in the black by going dark. Salt Lake City has made the decision to let some street lights burn out.
Lights not being maintained will function until something occurs, such as a bulb burnout, wiring problem, etc. When that occurs, the affected light(s) will remain out indefinitely until budget is restored.
This new policy kicked in July 1. It says certain street lights -- almost all located in mid-block areas -- aren't being maintained. That means once the bulbs burn out, they stay out.
Akasha Day Spa takes the good with the bad with its downtown location. It's a highly visible spot that's good for walk-in clients. But, says owner Breelynn Bailey, "There's always issues with graffiti, with transients."
Akasha is located mid-block on 400 South, right about where the city of Salt Lake has decided to stop maintaining mid-block street lights.
The news has been frustrating.
"I understand the want and need to save costs in the city, but I think the police department will probably make up those costs tenfold in the cases they'll have to handle as a result of that," Bailey said.
The city estimates it will save about $400,000 a year with the new program -- nearly a quarter of its annual $2 million budget.
The city has created an interactive map, allowing people to zoom in to their street and see exactly which street lights will be maintained. A red symbol means no, a green means yes.
"We looked at the priority of the lights, we wanted to make sure lights at the intersections will stay lit. Lights in city parks will stay lit," said Salt Lake City Transportation Director Tim Harpst.
The majority of the core downtown area will also remain lit. Harpst says Salt Lake City will review street lights as they go out to make sure they haven't overlooked a mid-block area that really needs one.
As for concerned business and homeowners, Harpst offered recommendations.
"The absolutely best thing is to have a light on the front of the property by the front door," he said. "If it's a house, have a porch light on. If it's a business, have lights on the façade."
That's exactly what Akasha plans to do.
"We'll have to, at our own expense, add our own lighting to avoid having additional damage from vandalism and graffiti," Bailey said.
The city has already applied for and received a federal grant to replace 1,400 street lights with LED lights. It's hoping to get another incentive grant from Rocky Mountain Power.
Salt Lake City says it's looking at every possibility to keep lights on.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
