Business comes when you create the conditions that assure that those buisinesses make a return on their investment and when the quality of life for their employees attracts and maintains great talent. Cities sometimes give incentives when the investment is significant and to offset the costs, and when it benefits the city in the long term in the form of CDAs (Community Development Area) or RDAs (Redevelopment Area). Provo has made a lot of progress in creating those favorable conditions. Provo has nearly 2 jobs for every resident. Creating a robust employment environment that serves our businesses. Developing Provo is about employment opportunities that draw people here to work and spend their money.

We all have a desire to see our favorite businesses come to town, for example Trader Joes. As a business, Trader Joes has already determined which conditions are most likely to assure their success. When we as a community provide those conditions, they and all your favorites will come.

When Sandy went through a Downtown Masterplan process, it resulted in multiple buildings coming out of the ground, offering hundreds of high dollar value jobs. The Hale Center Theater relocated, the mall is being redeveloped, a transportation master plan initiated. All of which required a second and third look at infrastructure requirements. Removing even a single element of this overall plan could have meant complete failure. But, Sandy is doing it right. Good job Sandy.

It takes courage to plan and face the realities that business needs for success. Their success however, is our community's success.

Provo has always grown. Provo has always changed. It's comes down to experience and preparation and most of all utilizing the expertise of our city employees who have some mad skills in this area. I'm looking forward to working with the Council, upon which I once served, to navigate through the challenge and incentives to get this done. 

Parking has been in the news lately with the County and City at odds over what to do about the Convention Center parking. I'm confident that we can work through these issues and I'm ready with the history, the experience and the respect for all involved to work toward a positive solution.

My years on the Provo Council, as a Neighborhood leader, and working on the City's Transportation and Mobility Advisory Committee have kept me up to speed and ready to hit the ground running. 

Here is what we know from the recent Strategic Parking Management Plan summarized:

The development of a strategic vision and a strong, well defined action plan is a critical first step in creating a comprehensive public parking program for Provo City. We applaud the community’s recognition of this fact and for making this important investment.

Parking can be a significant partner and contributor to advancing the community’s economic development goals as well helping to improve the overall experience of accessing Provo’s core neighborhoods and downtown business district. We are confident with the strong team of City leaders, an engaged and supportive Mayor and City Council, a strong downtown organization and new investments in parking program development that the future of downtown Provo is bright indeed. Now the real work on parking program improvement begins!

SOURCE: Provo's Strategic Parking Management Plan

NEWS: Utah County sues Provo for millions over convention center parking

NEWS: Provo responds to lawsuit, says Utah County obstructing plans for more parking

OP-ED: Herald editorial: No more time on the meter for Utah County Convention Center’s parking woes