Tooele City, Utah

7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3 year on year for the last couple years. There’s a lot of construction happening, our building permits are higher than ever, but just like everywhere else in Utah, and all over, our supply is not meeting the demand. It’s interesting, because we feel very rural when you’re here, but because we’re so close to Salt Lake, our housing market really kind of mirrors that of the Salt Lake Valley. It is more affordable in Tooele than the Salt Lake City market, but we’ve kind of seen the trends go the same direction.” Traditionally, single-family home development has been the trend in the city, but there are some smaller apartment complexes being introduced. “There’s certainly new growth in a denser housing environment here,” Stewart says. “High density doesn’t mean eight-story anything. Something that is three storeys is very dense for us.” Mixed-use development is happening in Tooele City’s historic downtown, an area of the community that is currently being revitalized. Two building owners have converted their buildings to incorporate housing units. Another is in the permit process to add small, 500 square foot apartments. Stewart shares, “That’s a really good thing, especially in our downtown. The infill development is exciting. That’s what we want, because the infrastructure is already there. Roads, water, sewer, that kind of thing to accommodate growth in the downtown and infill areas.” The Tooele Downtown Alliance was recently formed to help attract new investment, organize events, and promote the downtown to residents and visitors to the city. This volunteer group is made up of small business owners with support from city staff. Manzione reports, “I am encouraged by the Downtown Alliance group’s fresh ideas for revitalization – things like farmers’ markets, murals, decorated buffalos, and consolidated advertising. A thriving downtown area is a great indicator of a city’s health. Ours is looking healthier and healthier.”