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SALT LAKE CITY — Business on the west side of Salt Lake City is booming, and the biggest thing right now is the Airport TRAX line. It's drawing businesses to the North Temple corridor and new residents to Rose Park.
The tracks are laid, the lights are up, and soon the trains will be rolling down North Temple. The $400 million TRAX line connecting Salt Lake City to Salt Lake International Airport doesn't open until 2013, but it's already generating an economic boom on the city's west side.
"This is probably one of the largest public infrastructure projects in the city's history," said City Councilman Carlton Christensen. "We're seeing a lot of businesses that are starting to open up, and a lot of potential developers looking at opportunities along the corridor."
We're seeing a lot of businesses that are starting to open up, and a lot of potential developers looking at opportunities along the (North Temple) corridor.
–Carlton Christensen, SLC councilman
Archi's Mexican Burgers is one of those companies. The restaurant opened up in January, and owners say business has been a little tough these past few months because of all the construction. But they hope to hang in there until the line is finished.
"We have our contract, like, one and a half more years, so I hope that's enough time to make a business," said owner Alan Ahumada.
Christensen believes businesses like Archi's will survive, because right now Rose Park is one of the only spots in the city seeing residential growth.
New houses are going up in the neighborhood, and the population is growing. But unlike other parts of the city, the residents of Rose Park aren't new to the area.
"It has a small-town feel because a lot of returning generations come back, and they in turn buy their homes there," Christensen explained.
The Rose Park area hasn't always been this popular. In fact, it's gained quite a negative reputation. Christensen says people are mainly scared away by the cultural diversity and location.
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Rose Park flowers in full bloom
Utah is known for its symmetrical streets. But there's one historical neighborhood nearby that has a little more art involved in its planning."I think for a long time, I-80 and (North Temple) have been a dividing part of our communities. And we see this (TRAX line) as really an opportunity to bring them together," Christensen said.
The councilman added that he wants more people realize the value of Rose Park. He just hopes it doesn't destroy the city's small-town vibe.
"I think the one risk, or challenge, is that as people realize what a great value it is to live in this area, that once was affordable housing that really opened a lot of diverse cultures coming to the area, that it could become a little more fragmented," Christensen said.
Those moving in don't feel that yet. In fact, they think their new city is the perfect place to settle down.
"Well, I don't want to leave right now," Ahumada chuckled. "It's a really good place to live in Utah, and in Salt Lake."
