The Case FOR the Old Stage Road Parking Lots
To be clear, none of the following arguments change my position. I remain firmly opposed to the Old Stage Road parking lot project, as I believe the costs to our community will far outweigh the benefits.
But in the spirit of fairness and considering all sides of the issue, let’s look at the potential benefits Solitude has presented in favor of the parking lots:
- Eliminate unsafe roadside parking
- Increase pedestrian safety
- Minimize environmental impacts
- Ensure continued access for canyon visitors
Each of the above points carries some surface appeal, and there may be a kernel of truth in them. But taken together, they read less like a genuine transportation solution and more like PR spin for an unpopular project.
I do not believe Solitude has asserted any of the following points, but I think they merit consideration:
Parking Garages are Prohibitively Expensive
Short of squeezing a few of extra parking spaces near lower Eagle, Solitude has no real room to expand parking stalls within existing boundaries. The only expansion option would be to build a parking garage – but that option is costly and introduces its own issues.
At the current rate of about $60,000 per parking spot, the construction cost of 593 parking spaces in a garage would be over $35m – which seems financially prohibitive.
Private Property Rights
The United States has a long-standing tradition of respecting private property. Solitude purchased this land for well over a million dollars, and they should have the right to use it as they see fit. The Town of Brighton had the chance to buy the land but chose not to. Now, the community is trying to dictate how a private business can develop its own property.
Public Transit Deficiencies
Despite decades of growing demand, UTA’s bus service in Big Cottonwood Canyon has not kept pace with visitor needs. On busy days, many skiers consider the service unreliable and inconvenient, leaving them dependent on personal vehicles to reach the mountain.
Roadside Parking Eliminated Without a Plan
A few years ago, winter parking near Solitude on the north side of SR 190 was prohibited. Now, south-side parking is also likely to be eliminated. Creating a shortfall of more than 200 spaces without allowing the resort to pursue alternative solutions is unfair.
Solitude is a Major Source of Town Revenue
Solitude is one of Brighton’s two largest employers and taxpayers, and the town’s budget relies heavily on revenue generated by visitors to the resort. Expanding parking with 593 new stalls will increase visitor capacity, providing additional financial benefits for the entire community.