South Salt Lake, Millcreek begin station-area planning for Meadowbrook and Mill Creek

Design Workshop presented preliminary concepts and outreach results for two station-area plans—Meadowbrook Station and Mill Creek Station—at the South Salt Lake City Council work meeting on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The firm said a community survey will launch Friday, July 11, and close July 27 as part of a short outreach window before staff returns with recommendations later this summer.

The plans respond to a state station-area planning requirement (referred to in the presentation as HP462) that asks cities to plan a half-mile radius around each transit station within their borders. "Station-area plans are required to look at a half mile radius around each ... station," said Chris Giddes, principal at Design Workshop, during an overview of the two study areas.

Why it matters: the two stations sit in different conditions and pose different opportunities for transit-oriented development and community amenities. Meadowbrook Station overlaps the border with Millcreek and includes several large parcels, including property owned by UTA and a former community college site identified as a catalytic redevelopment opportunity. Mill Creek Station sits adjacent to a state highway (3300 South), where industrial uses and truck traffic today limit pedestrian access and where the presentation noted there are no parks inside the half-mile study area.

Design Workshop summarized community outreach undertaken so far: a launch event tied to a mural festival, tabling at stations, and a design charrette that drew staff, property owners, developers and residents. Roughly 90 people participated across three outreach events, the consultant said. Top priorities voiced by participants were safe, comfortable access to transit; a stronger sense of place with gathering spaces and events; enhanced pedestrian connections; and neighborhood-serving retail and attainable homeownership options.

The consultant outlined two conceptual approaches for each station. Mill Creek concepts explored 4–5 story mixed-use buildings near the station, with townhomes stepping down to adjacent neighborhoods and a potential community park in one alternative. For Meadowbrook, diagrams showed mixed-use infill on UTA parcels, structured parking, and a potential rec center or senior-supportive services on the former community college site.

On transportation and safety, the presentation noted constraints on 3300 South because it is a UDOT-controlled highway and carries large truck volumes today; consultants said they will work with UDOT and UTA on measures to improve pedestrian crossings and north-south connectivity. "3300 is going to be a challenge," Giddes said, adding that a transportation planner is on the project team to analyze traffic and multimodal options.

Public participation and next steps: staff said the survey will be promoted on the project story map and via flyers; responses will be geographically tagged so staff can filter comments from residents within or near the half-mile study radii. The consultant said the city expects to return to council in August or September with draft recommendations and noted final plan certification with UTA and state review will extend the schedule into late 2025 so the city can meet the state adoption deadline.

Councilmembers and residents asked whether outreach would prioritize current residents and whether UTA would consider rail operations (including freight movements) when housing is planned near tracks; the presentation said the survey collects location information to let staff parse responses by proximity and that questions to UTA about freight operations can be raised in future outreach with the agency.

Ending note: the consultant emphasized that the schematics are preliminary and that staff and the consultant will refine concepts based on survey input before returning for official review and certification.