Park City has ideas that could, potentially, transform the Main Street core with development along Swede Alley. Some sort of replacement for the China Bridge garage seems possible, as does a lodging option and an aerial transit route. But it is not clear whether that kind of vision, if it is ultimately pursued, could be accomplished by the 2034 Winter Olympics. Mayor Ryan Dickey and the Park City Council on Thursday discussed infrastructure in the Main Street core, and eventually the Games, too, particularly in the context of possible work timelines. The elected officials were not scheduled to make decisions, including regarding China Bridge, and they did not provide detailed direction regarding any specific potential projects. There appeared to be a notion, though, that any China Bridge work could become a catalyst for redevelopment along Swede Alley.  The Games discussion was notable with seven-plus years leading up to the opening ceremony. Leaders see possibilities of tapping any monies from Washington that may become available as the state prepares for 2034, a strategy used before the Winter Olympics of 2002. The federal government typically makes infrastructure monies available as a host prepares for the Games. Infrastructure projects, though, can take years to design, move through the permitting process and build. Some comments this week centered on timelines in the pre-Games years and whether an ambitious plan could be accomplished before 2034. Discussions in recent years have covered revamping the Main Street core with new lodging options, workforce or otherwise income-restricted housing and other additions meant to increase the district’s competitiveness with outlying destinations. “There’s no way in heck that I would green light even a replacement of China Bridge to get started, you know, during the 2031 build season. You’re just cutting it too close. And with the amount of activity that’s going to be going on in and around Park City with everywhere else trying to get ready for 2034,” City Councilor Bill Ciraco said. Ciraco noted timelines, saying officials should be prepared to tap a design firm within upward of 18 months. He hoped work could start in the summer of 2029 or the next summer. “Because then we can get whatever we do wrapped up by the end of 2032, beginning of 2033, and gives us plenty of time to get clean and pretty and we won’t have a big construction site in the middle of town,” he said. The mayor also addressed the challenges of the redevelopment timeline, describing it as “a heavy lift.” “It’s going to be really tough to pull this off before 2034,” Dickey said. City Councilor Ed Parigian shared doubts about using the Games as a timeline marker. “We don’t need the hotel, per se, for the Olympics. It’s two weeks. Plus the Paralympics, another two. So it’s a month. I don’t want to design my life around that one month,” Parigian said. He later clarified in an interview with The Park Record that he supports development of a hotel near Main Street, but he wants to consider several locations before deciding. Another comment by Parigian addressed timelines for the Main Street core in anticipation of the Games, saying, “I don’t want to dismiss things just because we don’t have enough time. I really like to do stuff right when I do anything. But I want to get going on it, keep moving. But I don’t want to set that as a hard deadline: Olympics, Olympics, Olympics. We’ll be fine with or without, in my opinion.” The mayor responded: “I think the Olympics thing is, like, just the idea; we don’t need this for the Olympics, but that we don’t want to be under construction during the Olympics.” Meanwhile, City Councilor Tana Toly spoke about the possibilities of financial assistance in the pre-Games era. “There’s probably more available money. There’s probably more partners. There’s probably stakeholders. There’s probably different funding mechanisms that we can take advantage (of) if we are looking to have that 2034 deadline. So, I would go with sooner (rather) than later,” she said. The Park City area will be a key to the Games. Park City Mountain, Deer Valley Resort and the Utah Olympic Park are identified as competition venues. Main Street is expected to be a popular spot for the crowds to celebrate. The community will also be crucial to the transportation and security planning.  The post Park City leaders address infrastructure upgrades, but could work be finished by Winter Olympics? appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less