In a concerted effort to shape the future of one of their most dynamic urban areas, Murray City and Millcreek City officials recently convened a joint council meeting to discuss long-term plans for the area surrounding Murray North Station. Known as the Fireclay area (4400 S. Main Street), the area has experienced tremendous growth as old industrial areas have been replaced with new multiuse housing.

“The initial concepts for the Fireclay area were presented at a joint council meeting with the city of Millcreek on Aug. 21,” Zachary Smallwood, senior planner with Murray City Planning and Zoning Division said. “We’re not looking at this as a redevelopment plan but rather a station area plan. Our consultants are using the broad ideas discussed at the meeting to work on more specific scenarios.”

In an effort to incorporate community perspectives into the planning process, Murray City has organized a series of open houses designed to gather public feedback on the Fireclay area. According to Smallwood,  the aim is to work in collaboration with Millcreek City to improve the area. Smallwood stated that feedback from residents and local businesses is not just welcome but is considered essential for informed decision-making. He indicated that the feedback collected will be analyzed and incorporated into an implementation plan, which will subsequently be part of the overarching Station Area Plan.

Regarding community outreach, Smallwood stated that the city has adopted multiple channels to ensure diverse participation. “We’ve used signs at the Trax station, mailers to every address within a half-mile radius, and social media to engage the community,” Smallwood said.

Key stakeholders such as local apartment and business owners, as well as residents, have been included in a Community Advisory Committee. “The committee ensures that the feedback we gather leads us down the correct path,” Smallwood said. He also noted that Murray City is trying to make data-informed decisions by using resources like the census, information from local police departments, and a dedicated website that has been live for at least six months to engage with the public and provide ongoing updates.

The visioning process, as Smallwood emphasized, is long term. “Planning projects like this span five to 20 years into the future. The community should expect that the adoption process will begin in November, offering yet another opportunity for public input.”

Challenges such as natural boundaries created by arterial roads and Union Pacific Rail Lines also exist. “These are limitations we have to work around,” Smallwood said. However, he emphasized that the Fireclay area already has several low- and moderate-income housing developments, aligning with the state’s requirements. 

Despite these challenges, Smallwood was optimistic about fulfilling the state’s requirements for moderate- and low-income housing. “We already have a number of low- and moderate-income housing developments in the Fireclay area,” he said. “But housing alone can’t fix the affordability issue. We aim to show the state that if people don’t have a place to recreate, obtain necessities, and have a good environment, they won’t have happy experiences and won’t want to reside in the area.”

As Smallwood concluded, “The Station Area Plan will serve as the guiding document that the city uses to inform long-term urban and social goals for this area. These smaller, focused plans allow us to take a more nuanced approach to developing parts of the city. With the public’s help, we aim to shape the Fireclay area into a jewel of the city, enriching the lives of its residents for years to come.”

“Housing isn’t the only factor that contributes to a community’s well-being. We aim to also focus on recreation, safety and accessibility,” Smallwood said.

According to Smallwood, “With the community’s help, we aim to make the Fireclay area a vital part of the city that meets the needs and expectations of its residents.”

For those looking to stay updated or provide feedback, Smallwood encouraged frequent visits to the project’s website, www.murraynorthstationarea.org.  λ