'Sugar House is open' despite construction, Salt Lake City leaders and businesses say

SALT LAKE CITY — About two decades ago, Salt Lake City Councilwoman Sarah Young moved to the Irving Schoolhouse Apartments located along 2100 South in the heart of Salt Lake City's Sugar House neighborhood as she began her professional career.

This was just before the neighborhood exploded into what it is today. Since then, several apartment complexes and mixed-use developments have brought scores of people, stores and restaurants to the area as it became the city's hip part of town.

Until recently, its aging streets and infrastructure hadn't caught up with the times. Sugar House's rapid growth ultimately transformed how people use its aging streets, calling for major improvements.

"Things have changed in the past 20 years, for sure. We see more opportunities for electric bikes; we see scooters, we see pedestrians," Young said.

Because of that, she believes a massive two-year project to overhaul 2100 South from 700 East to 1300 East is necessary. Construction of the highly anticipated project to revamp the road began this week, tacking on construction to 1100 East north of 2100 South. Another project to improve 1300 East near 2100 South is slated for later this year, too.

They are some of the final items tied to the Funding Our Future bond that residents passed in 2018, funding road repairs across the city.

While needed, the 2100 South project also brings new stresses to the many small businesses in the district, after some were impacted by the now-completed repairs to Highland Drive last year. That's why city leaders, businesses and other groups are banding together to find a way to keep the district's economy flowing through all the dust.

"Sugar House is open," said Erika Wiggins, co-chairwoman of the Sugar House Chamber of Commerce, as crews trimmed trees and drivers maneuvered their cars around orange cones behind her. "You can get to the businesses."

Keeping most roads at least partially open was included in the construction plans, Salt Lake City transportation officials noted last week. The city set ground rules for contractors so that the area's side streets are at least open to right-hand turns and full intersection closures don't occur until after normal business hours.

Businesses within a half-block of construction can receive up to $3,000 through Salt Lake City's Construction Mitigation Grant, pending city approval, according to the city's Department of Economic Development. The grant helps businesses market and promote themselves during construction.

"The city has new tools and financing that we've developed in the last few years that the City Council has supported," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. "The city previously gave no money to help support with wayfinding or 'we're open' signage or making (events) happen in the area."

City and local business leaders say people should plan ahead before visiting the area. This could mean using a different road than 2100 South or using Utah Transit Authority's S-Line.

Related:

What to know as Salt Lake City's biggest Sugar House road project begins

A two-year project to revamp 2100 South in the heart of Sugar House is slated to begin.

In the meantime, some businesses along 2100 South and 1100 East have already posted outside signage letting commuters know they are open, while others are letting customers know through social media and other online endeavors.

Tina Folster, part owner of the clothing store Unhinged, said she wasn't looking forward to this week; however, she and her business partners started preparing for the project before the store opened in October. She said the city has provided businesses with construction timelines, which has helped her relay that information to customers.

"We're definitely communicating through social media and letting them know, as far as any changes that are happening, whether it's our open hours or they can park," she told KSL.com.

There are other creative ways in the works to help support businesses. For example, the monthly Sugar House Art Walk will take place on Friday despite the construction in the area. Similar types of events and gatherings are planned for the coming months to bring people to the impacted businesses.

The city also has a website and newsletter devoted to updates. Wiggins said all of these combined, along with more media events, are planned to help spread the word about the construction so people aren't surprised when they come across it.

She explains that planning for this has been years in the making. Sugar House Chamber of Commerce officials watched other major Funding Our Future projects, including updates to 300 West and 900 South, to plan out how to handle business impacts for when the 2100 South project began.

"There's probably no solution that's going to reduce (issues) to zero, so (our efforts) are designed to mitigate it a little bit," she said.

Still, some Sugar House business owners are nervous about what's to come.

Bob Campbell, the owner of All About Coins, says his business is a "survivor" from initial construction; however, others haven't been so lucky. He's concerned that the final road design may pose problems for his business.

"It's going to be difficult for people to get to us," he told KSL TV. "In my case, half of my people that will come here will only be able to approach one direction and they won't be able to make a left-hand turn."

The next two years may be difficult, but Wiggins adds that she's excited about what the district will look like when it's all over, which may be in late 2025. She believes the area will become more walkable, bikeable and overall "more pleasant" to live in or visit.

Folster agrees.

"It's time to just rip the Band-Aid and get the construction done," she said. "Looking at what the future plans are going to be, we know that it's going to be a huge benefit for us."

Contributing: Brianna Chavez

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