Salt Lake City unveils green-focused upgrades for 500 West corridor

Salt Lake City officials presented the 500 West Corridor Improvement and Connectivity Plan, targeting the segment of 500 West from 600 South to 900 South in the rapidly expanding Granary District. The design calls for additional street trees to mitigate the urban heat island effect, replacement of deteriorating asphalt, and upgrades to storm-drain and flood-management infrastructure. Enhanced sidewalks, bike lanes and connections to the 9-Line Trail, Folsom Trail and North Temple are intended to boost safety for walkers, cyclists, drivers and transit users.

The initiative follows Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s 2023 “green loop” concept but shifts from a single large parkway to incremental, block-by-block projects, as explained by senior advisor Blake Thomas. Funding sources include newly earmarked civic-center construction documents and a possible $3.1 million addition to a parks bond slated for the November ballot. City staff have launched an online survey, running through Sept. 12, to gather public input on amenities such as seating, gathering spaces, recreation and art, with the final plan expected by year-end.