District 3: Chris Wharton

What do you think is the top transportation issue in our city? How would you address it if elected?

My top priorities for transportation are safety and connectivity across Salt Lake City. Residents should have multi-modal access between neighborhoods, not just via cars. I’m particularly invested in improving east-west mobility, addressing gaps in transit access, and increasing pedestrian and bike safety. If re-elected, I’ll continue to work on efforts to expand reliable public transit, protect bike lanes, invest in safe street crossings, and implement traffic-calming measures on neighborhood streets. Transportation should be equitable, convenient, and designed in a way that supports our city’s growth while reducing congestion and emissions. That’s exactly what I’m committed to continuing to prioritize on the Council.

In a typical week, how often do you travel by transit, bicycle, or foot, without the use of a car? Would you commit to going car-free for one week per year?

While I do own a car, I regularly walk Downtown and to City Hall, and I’m intentional about using shared or public transportation whenever I can. I also travel by foot throughout District 3, walking between neighborhoods with my partner and daughter to enjoy the unique culture and character of our neighborhoods. Having a robust understanding of our transit opportunities and transportation systems helps inform impactful policy for our city’s infrastructure. I’ll continually test access and ease of transit throughout our city to see what further improvements we can make each year.

How do you feel about parking minimums? Should the city continue to set parking minimums, or should it be the choice of the business owners?

Parking minimums are set by the city to ensure adequate allocation of street maintenance, access, and improvements. However, as our city grows denser and more transit-friendly, I believe we should continually revisit these requirements. Businesses should have the flexibility to decide what’s appropriate for their property. But when it comes to public parking spots, public interest and our infrastructure needs should be at the forefront. A more flexible approach can help us reduce unnecessary costs and make better use of our limited space, and encourage walkability.

In terms of funding city priorities, what is your philosophy: "we should provide services that inspire residents to use it" or "we should provide services with a demonstrated need?" Why?

Both! Local elected officials should encourage public transit use while also being good stewards of public funds. There’s always a balance between the two. We have plenty of current needs to address, particularly around safety, accessibility, and walkability. But we must also anticipate future growth and design services that inspire residents to choose sustainable options. Investing proactively ensures that as Salt Lake City continues to grow, our infrastructure can keep pace and support an inclusive, forward-looking future, while also addressing our immediate service needs.

SLC has a Complete Streets ordinance that aims to make reconstructed streets safe and accessible for all users. How would you rate the ordinance's performance--what's  working well and what isn't? What changes would you make to improve its performance?

The Complete Streets ordinance has been helpful in terms of encouraging us to think beyond the needs of just cars. I appreciate any transportation tool that includes cyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders. But there have also been problems with the consistent interpretation and implementation of the ordinance. I’d like to see clearer measures, greater collaboration and input from the community, and greater coordination with other projects around the city. We’ve seen a lot of different road construction projects since this ordinance was created. Now is a good time to review existing and new construction efforts to assess whether the ordinance is still delivering on the goals of safety, access, and equity, or if we need to make improvements.

Do you support or oppose a permanent pedestrian promenade on Main Street in downtown?

With a proposal like this, the details are everything. My support will depend on having a full and comprehensive plan for Downtown, not just a concept for one street. I’ve heard mixed feedback from residents, and I understand the challenge of visualizing the benefits alongside the costs. We also can’t ignore the political reality of recent efforts to take away local control. At the same time, there are other projects underway that will transform our Downtown in new and challenging ways, so the time is right to have these kinds of big conversations. I’m committed to approaching it thoughtfully and transparently. And whether we move forward with this particular plan or not, I will always support the goal of prioritizing pedestrians and transforming our Downtown into a more vibrant, walkable, and community-centered space.

Community councils continuously field complaints of drivers speeding in neighborhoods. How would you address this in your district?

I’ve led efforts on the council to increase neighborhood traffic-calming and invest in safer streets for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike. I’ve supported over $2 million in funding for Livable Streets initiatives this year alone. This included installing speed humps on busy neighborhood streets, road diets, crosswalks, and other solutions. I supported reducing the speed on every neighborhood street in the city. I’ve also spoken with residents about implementing a community-led campaign to educate residents and visitors about street safety. I’ll continue working closely with our community councils, residents, and city staff to ensure every neighborhood has access to solutions that fit their unique needs.

How does Salt Lake City get more people to walk, bike, take transit and leave their car at home?

There’s more work to do to revitalize our city’s infrastructure and create safer and walkable areas. As we continue to grow, our transportation will do so as well. I’ve supported every public transit expansion measure, and plan to continue doing so. Our residents deserve accessible, efficient, and safe transit opportunities. We’ll continue to expand public transit, bicycle and pedestrian safety, and walkability between our districts, connecting our east and west sides, increasing commute opportunities for residents, and protecting access to services and businesses.

With the arts and entertainment district coming, how does City Council ensure that this redevelopment is not just a stop for suburban Utahns but also serves the city and its citizens?

In negotiations to keep the Utah Jazz and Mammoths downtown, we also secured increased revenue for affordable housing, youth programs, the preservation of historic Japantown, art installations, and gathering spaces that will be open to the public–all while ensuring funding for future City services. I’m committed to ensuring that these community benefits are delivered and sustained. I’ll continue working on the Council to ensure that we create year-round economic activity, support local artists and businesses, and represent the diverse culture of Salt Lake City.

In light of SB 195, which took away much of the autonomy the city had with its streets, how does the city government work with the state going forward? How does the city continue to make progress on its goals?

I’ve consistently championed local control and am committed to pushing against state overreach. That said, I’m prepared to work with the Utah Department of Transportation to ensure our local needs are still addressed under this legislation. I’ll continue advocating for strong communication channels, data-sharing, and community partnerships to advance our safety, sustainability, and equity goals. I’m confident that we can continue to make progress that supports residents, stakeholders, and community interest groups even in the face of legislative constraints.