Master Plan to Revitalize Salt Lake City's Struggling West Side

The Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods in Salt Lake City perform poorly on the federal government's "opportunity index." A new master plan, however, would focus on transportation and nodes of activity to revitalize the area.

1 minute read

October 3, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Christopher Smart details the newly proposed West Side Master Plan for Salt Lake City, which would set a planning vision for the Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods.

Here's how Smart describes the vision set forth by the master plan:

Imagine riding a streetcar from the TRAX station at 200 West 900 South to the intersection of 900 South and 900 West, where a bustling neighborhood of cafes and shops stretches north to 800 South.

There you would find Latin American, African and Eastern European influences from food to clothing to art. Nearby bicycle traffic would flow east and west on the 9 Line, the abandoned rail right of way that parallels Indiana Avenue to Redwood Road. It intersects with Jordan River Parkway and a future nature preserve.

Smart notes that the plan focuses on nodes of activity, rather than painting in broad strokes. In fact, the master plan lacks a development map in the hopes of providing flexibility for would-be developers. 

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 in The Salt Lake Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Close-up on woman in white and blue striped knee-length dress standing next to mint green cruiser bike resting against low wrought iron fence in front of green lawn.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

15 minutes ago - domus

Close-up of man in manually operated wheelchair waiting at urban crosswalk.

Making Mobility More Inclusive

A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.

1 hour ago - Greater Good Magazine

US and Texas flags flying in front of Texas state capitol dome in Austin, Texas.

Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness

A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.

2 hours ago - The Texas Tribune