Commission hears updates on BUILD/TAP grants, event‑center feasibility and rail‑adjacent development ideas

At its Feb. 18 meeting the City of Green River Planning Commission received staff updates on multiple transportation and development efforts, including federal TAP and BUILD (formerly RAISE) grants, an event‑center feasibility study and preliminary ideas to explore development around the city’s Amtrak station.

Staff said the TAP grant would fund sidewalks on Tidwell and Alberta, including curb and gutter for school access, while the larger BUILD grant (discussed in the meeting as about $3.5 million) would fund design work around Broadway and Maine and would be managed by UDOT with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Commissioners were told UDOT has assigned a project manager; staff said timing remains uncertain while UDOT processes project control and scheduling.

A consultant working on the event‑center feasibility study has interviewed city staff and gathered public comment; staff said the consultant plans to present findings to the council in April. Staff also described a consultant‑proposed audit of city‑owned properties and a concept to investigate development on rail‑adjacent parcels by coordinating with Union Pacific and Amtrak; one suggested idea referenced potential transit links such as a bus between the Amtrak station and Moab to support worker movement.

Commissioners asked staff to continue coordination with UDOT on project management and to return with firm schedules and any cost or matching requirements. No formal action was taken at the meeting on these projects; staff will report updates to council as planning continues.