In short
Mayor Dave Maughan’s January 2024 column reviews 2023 and points to the opening of the West Davis Highway, celebrated January 6, as the city’s biggest change. He writes that the highway is the city’s largest opportunity in decades and that Costco is moving forward with plans to locate just off the freeway. The column also reports park renovations, a new detention pond coming online in 2024, and 2023 public safety numbers. His contact information is listed as [email protected] and 801-927-7752.
Dates and deadlines
- January 6, 2024 Celebration scheduled for the opening of the new West Davis Highway. Construction work will continue for some time, but the road will be open.
Everything else
Growth and business
- The mayor writes that the highway opening is the biggest opportunity in decades for the city’s tax base, and that Costco is moving forward with a plan to locate right off the freeway, with more businesses expected to follow.
- More than 30 businesses applied for new business licenses in 2023 and opened, including food, professional services, and other offerings. He expects more announcements in 2024 and asks residents to support local businesses.
- The city issued less than half the number of single-family residential permits it issued the year before. Multi-family housing in 2023 was almost entirely a continuation of ongoing projects. The mayor points to interest rates, inflation, and the economy as likely reasons, and says growth continues through a backlog of approved projects into 2024.
Water
- 2023 was a good water year after several years of drought. The new detention pond northwest of the 6-way roundabout is called a critical piece of infrastructure and is expected to come online in 2024 so the city can use water from heavy winters.
Public safety
- The fire department had over 1,000 emergency medical callouts again this year, about two thirds of its total calls. The city completed a full year with paramedics, and a new emergency room hospital is being built. Firefighters continued to complete advanced training recognized by the State of Utah.
- SafeWise named Syracuse the third safest city in Utah for 2023. The mayor reports theft down 30 percent, assault down 10 percent, and citations up 15 percent, with more total incidents responded to.
- Chief Atkin was elected vice president of the Utah chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates.
- The Public Safety Jamboree at the fire station and Fremont Park drew record attendance.
Parks and recreation
- Park improvements were made at Monterey Park, Chloe Sunshine Park, and Founders Park. Stoker Park’s major renovation continues with new tennis courts, lighted sand volleyball courts, and new restrooms. Jensen Park’s shoreline was renovated and a new dock installed.
- The city plans to add park space with the first phase of a regional park, paid for without a bond.
Museum
- The Syracuse Regional Museum has a new mural on the side of the building, a curator hired in 2023, and expanded hours that now include four hours on Saturday. Youth opportunities to get involved with the museum are available.
Unofficial digest of a city newsletter. The official version is linked below.
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