HYDE PARK—The Hyde Park, North Logan and Smithfield city councils met jointly Thursday at the Hyde Park city hall to discuss how they can better their cities for the public.

The councils discussed public transportation, public safety, and real estate. Council members mapped out alternative routes through the cities in order to lighten the traffic on Main Street.

The people attending the meeting were not thrilled with alternative 6A because it was not convenient for everyone, and in a 24-person survey taken prior to the meeting, 79 percent said they did not want alternative 5. The councils decided they want preferred alternatives from the public. They are not the ones making this decision. It is in the hands of the public.

A large portion of the meeting was regarding what the cities want behind George S. Eccles Ice Center. It was a controversial topic because people wanted something on that real estate a long time ago. There were suggestions for soccer fields and a parking lot on 200 East. There is a corn maze there and room for more festivities. The councils were unable to make a final decision regarding the matter because they need to know what the preferred alternative route is going to be.

There was talk of public safety for children as they walk home from school. Some of their routes do not have sidewalks or crosswalks.

“It’s a bad situation putting kids out there and we’re trying to fix this as fast as possible,” said Jeff Jorgensen, city administrator. Police have done their best to direct traffic to make sure children get home safe but there are no crossing guards yet, said Jorgensen.

Published in cooperation with the Hard News Cafe. Original story is here.