Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
DRAPER — Two years ago last month, a landslide swept two homes right off a hill in the Suncrest area of Draper.
"It was like a science fiction movie. It was bizarre," said Jeremy Nef, who lives across the street and captured it all happening on video. "If you saw the video, it was me that took it."
Ellen Keller lives across the street from the gaping hole.
"It felt so personal, because it wasn't just, 'oh that's just a house." It was, 'I know whose bedroom that is,'" she said.
Both Nef and Keller said their families are tired of the eyesore that has been visible for the past two years.
"It's been a long two years, and we are all ready to be done," said Keller.
Nef said he just wants it "resolved."
Keller and Nef were two of the many residents who got an email from the city late Monday afternoon saying that construction to repair the slope will begin soon.
"Edge Homes will soon begin construction on a permanent retaining wall and restore the slope impacted by the 2023 landslide on Springtime Road. Construction equipment will move into the area within the next week or two. Work hours will vary but will follow hours allowed by code, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. No weekend work is planned, and construction vehicle traffic will be limited during school commute times. The project does not have a specific completion date yet, but the goal is to finish by the end of this year," said the email from the city.
Draper Manager Mike Barker told KSL-TV it is "great to see progress."
"Not just for the city, but really, we are excited for the residents up there," Barker said. "They've endured this for a couple of years, and we ask for their patience for a little bit more while the work is done. But we think, at the end of this process, they will have their neighborhood back."
Barker said the city is only giving approval to rebuild the slope, not to put homes or structures on the site. He said that would require plans to go back to the city for more approvals.
While glad to see something being done, neighbors are not looking forward to all the construction.
"We are so excited to be done with this and move on, but we know that we have months of disruption and huge trucks and road closures and noise," said Keller. "It's a constant worry because they are going to close the street and cut it in half, so that means the trucks are right in front of our homes."
Nef is also not looking forward to the loud construction.
"There is no communication of how long it's going to take," said Nef. "It's hard to want your kids to go out in the front yard."
