Council hears feasibility update on South Davis Greenway linking east side of I‑15

City staff presented a feasibility update on the South Davis Greenway, a regional shared‑use path intended to connect North Salt Lake with Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington and ultimately link to downtown Salt Lake City via planned Beck Street/I‑15 improvements. Mayor and council heard the alignment that largely follows Orchard Drive and would switch sides of the street near Center Street to tie into the developing town center.

Ali, the staff lead on the study, described the design concept and trade‑offs. "So it's a 12 foot wide trail that would have, two‑way traffic, with a minimum 6 foot buffer," Ali said, adding that landscaping, wayfinding and amenities are part of the preferred cross‑section. Consultants emphasized the route fills an east‑of‑I‑15 gap not currently served by a high‑comfort, off‑road facility.

Council members pressed staff on costs, timing and maintenance. Planner/Councilor Ted said the project’s inclusion on the Utah Trail Network map is a major advantage because "it has the full support of the Utah Department of Transportation" and increases competitiveness for state and federal funding. Staff said the feasibility study should be completed this summer, after which project packages and cost estimates will be prepared for grant programs; one consultant noted typical Utah Trail Network projects are sized at roughly $8 million–$10 million per project, with phasing likely required to deliver a multi‑jurisdictional route.

Speakers flagged neighborhood trade‑offs: Park‑strip irrigation, loss of on‑street bike lanes (and perceived on‑street parking), impacts on mailbox placement, garbage pickup and bus stop operations, and whether irrigation and long‑term landscaping maintenance should be single‑city responsibilities or part of an intercity maintenance agreement. Council members asked staff to return with cost scenarios, phasing recommendations and a clearer picture of potential city financial commitments before any construction authorization.

The council did not take action; staff said they will finish the feasibility study, produce cost estimates, and continue coordination with adjacent jurisdictions and UDOT to position the project for Utah Trail Network and other grant funding.