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Mayor addresses population growth in Millcreek

Aug 11, 2021 12:06PM ● By Bridget Raymundo

By Bridget Raymundo | [email protected]

The moving patterns of people shift making it difficult to predict how to adapt a city to fit new demand. However, Millcreek and other cities in the Salt Lake valley can expect serious expansion in the coming decade according to Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini. 

The mayor has opened up his Friday afternoons to the needs of the public by taking phone calls scheduled on a first come first served basis. To schedule a call, call his Millcreek office (801-214-2700) and schedule an available slot for the upcoming Friday. 

Silvestrini talked to the Millcreek Journal about his plans to accommodate population growth within Utah. Silvestrini stated the numbers of incoming people is “the biggest issue within Utah” to manage.

So how does this connect to the frequent road construction seen in the streets of Millcreek? The mayor explained the construction is in preparation for the expected population in the near future. He leads as chair for the distribution of highway expansion grants from the Utah government which he claims is a difficult subject to advocate for funding and requires much reminding. 

The construction sites can encompass vehicular access and parking, traffic control, temporary barriers and enclosures, and more. Elements which have been included involve embankments, erosion and sedimentation controls, slope protection, special foundations and load-bearing elements, street lighting, and more. The Millcreek City website has extensive information on projects underway such as the 900 East, I-80 and I-215 improvements. 

Special attention has been paid by government officials to arranging roads which are wide enough and making homes more accessible. Of course, in order for people to afford these homes, the city has also been exploring future employment opportunities to offer. Inconveniences now can have a big positive outcome for the future conditions of Utahns. Understanding that road construction regularly leads to traffic backups, udottraffic.utah.gov offers information about projects to avoid which cause street congestion. 

The question of where new residents come from and why they come remains. Although the cost of living in big cities is rising higher every year, Silvestrini attributes one-third of the new inhabitants as “returnees.” As in, new Utah inhabitants are actually people who may have been raised or spent time in Utah, left to another place, and then came back to settle down. For example, graduated college students like Silvestrini’s daughter who left to pursue an education in another state and are returning home having completed their degree.

Noted as one of the fastest growing cities of this decade, Salt Lake City has much to come in terms of both the development of city infrastructure and the growth in its population.