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Council backs upgrades to Fairgrounds Road and soccer-complex parking; staff to return with budget adjustment
Summary
City staff presented a plan to reconfigure parking at the Fairgrounds Soccer Complex, add raised crosswalks with rectangular rapid flashing beacons and increase parking capacity; council approved direction to allocate funds and asked staff to return with a budget adjustment because the work is not in the current budget.
The Farmington City Council directed staff to pursue a package of safety and parking upgrades on Fairgrounds Road near the Fairgrounds Soccer Complex after staff reported the proposed work would increase parking capacity and add raised crosswalks with pedestrian flashers.
Why it matters: The Fairgrounds corridor supports multiple sports facilities that generate high concurrent parking demand and pedestrian crossings; staff said the changes will increase available parking and improve safety for families using the complex.
City transportation and parks staff presented four proposed upgrades: install pedestrian flashers (rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons) at three locations; install three raised crosswalks; reconfigure and expand the parking lot on the Fairgrounds Road side of the soccer complex; and reconfigure and expand the lot on the Navajo Street side. Staff said the Fairgrounds Road side would go from 65 to about 82 spaces and the Navajo Street side from 44 to about 60 spaces using straight‑in stalls and by relocating existing driveways and removing concrete bulb‑outs and some trees.
Cost estimates presented to council: pedestrian flashers (three locations) approximately $18,000; three raised crosswalks approximately $102,000; Fairgrounds Road parking lot improvements approximately $105,000; Navajo Street parking lot improvements approximately $74,000. Staff told the council the work is not currently budgeted and asked that council provide direction so staff could bring back a budget adjustment.
Councilors emphasized pedestrian safety and coordination with scheduled events and paving windows. Staff noted raised crosswalks are a specific traffic‑calming treatment that is not automatically appropriate elsewhere and said the crosswalk top would be flat for pedestrian travel and about 8 feet wide to provide a smooth transition for vehicles. Councilor discussion included confirmation that user groups had been consulted and that the parks and recreation commission would also review the proposal. A motion to authorize the combined estimated package of upgrades (approximate total $330,000) passed without roll-call opposition; staff will return with the formal budget adjustment for council approval.
Less critical/contextual note: Staff said short‑term, temporary shade and amenity solutions (e.g., pop‑up tents) may be used elsewhere along the river trail while permanent designs are evaluated.
