2023 Election Surveys: District 2
Q1: In 2023, Mayor Mendenhall committed Salt Lake City to Vision Zero, a nationwide effort to eradicate traffic deaths through evidence-based and pedestrian-safe street improvements. Do you support the city’s commitment to Vision Zero? If so, how do you plan to overcome the likely opposition to change from residents in your district? If not, what strategies do you support for mitigating the loss of life on city streets?
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Alejandro Puy: Yes, I support the city's commitment to Vision Zero. I believe that it is a bold and necessary step to take in order to make our streets safer for everyone. I understand that there will be some opposition to change, but I believe that the benefits of Vision Zero outweigh the costs.
Here are some other strategies that I support for mitigating the loss of life on city streets:
Speed enforcement: Speed is a major factor in traffic fatalities. I support increased speed enforcement, especially in school zones and other areas where pedestrians and cyclists are present. Together, we lowered residential speeds to 20 mph, the next step is to lower the other streets, and then enforce the speeds. We also need a more robust push to get more tools (like traffic/speed/red light cameras) from the Legislature.
Infrastructure improvements: We need to make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. This includes things like wider sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and traffic calming measures.
Education and awareness: We need to educate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians about the importance of safety. This includes things like teaching people how to share the road and how to drive safely in different conditions. We have to be a stronger and robust campaign from the city about safety in our communities.
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Q2: What city plans, state transportation projects or citizen-led proposals are you most excited about to help residents decrease their reliance on a car to thrive in and navigate the city?
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Puy: I am excited about a number of city plans, state transportation projects, and citizen-led proposals that are underway to help residents decrease their reliance on a car. Here are a few of them:
— Salt Lake City's Complete Streets initiative: This initiative is working to make all streets in Salt Lake City safe and accessible for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. This includes things like adding protected bike lanes, widening sidewalks, and reducing speed limits.
— The Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective: This non-profit organization is working to make cycling more accessible and affordable in Salt Lake City. They do this by providing bike repairs, classes, and advocacy.
— And the creation, and improvement of urban trails that allow for safe commute routes in our city. The 9 line, and the Folsom Urban Trails and the Jordan River Trail to name some, but the Green Loop to actually invite all people to use our streets.
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Q3: In a typical week, how often do you travel by transit, bicycle or exclusively by foot, without the use of a car? Would you commit to riding transit or otherwise going car-free for one week per year?
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Puy: I would be happy to commit to riding transit or otherwise going car-free for one week per year. I do so sporadically to stores in my neighborhood. I think it is important to experience different modes of transportation and to learn about the challenges and benefits of each. I believe that by doing so, I can better understand the needs of people who rely on transit and other forms of non-motorized transportation.
I think it is also important to set an example for others. If I can commit to going car-free for one week, it might inspire others to do the same. We can all make a difference by reducing our reliance on cars and by choosing more sustainable modes of transportation.
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Q4: Salt Lake City funds a handful of high-frequency bus routes in partnership with UTA (the 2, 9, 21, etc.). Do you support an expansion of the Frequent Service Network by increasing the amount of city funding paid to UTA for enhanced services?
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Puy: Yes, I support an expansion of the Frequent Service Network by increasing the amount of city funding paid to UTA for enhanced services. I believe that this is a necessary step to make public transportation more accessible and convenient for residents of Salt Lake City. It is important to also work within our communities to share the value of public transportation. This recent week, for example, we have gotten many emails from neighbors complaining about buses in their streets, not understanding the privilege that those emails exhibit.
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Q5: Streets in Salt Lake City that are owned and maintained by the Utah Department of Transportation are some of the most dangerous corridors in the city. What should the city be doing to improve safety on and around state-owned roads? Do you support the city taking ownership any UDOT roads in the city?
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Puy: We should work with UDOT to highlight these corridors and get the State to pay for the improvements needed, but if this isn't happening fast enough I do support the ownership route. We also need the right tools from the State to be able to enforce our posted speeds (red light, speed, and enforcement technologies).
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Q6: In 2015, Salt Lake City proposed to build a network of safe, low-speed streets called “Neighborhood Byways” by 2025, with additional plans to expand the network by 2035. These would be streets where residents of all ages could feel safe walking or riding a bike, facilitating healthier lifestyles while still accommodating car travel on major corridors. As of 2023, the city is far below the pace it would take to build this network. Should the city make it a priority to complete its entire network of neighborhood byways ahead of schedule, and if so, how would you propose paying for this work?
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Puy: Yes, I believe that the city should make it a priority to complete its entire network of neighborhood byways ahead of schedule. This current council shares this view and we have the momentum to make this happen. I think it is important to create safe and accessible streets for people of all ages and abilities, and neighborhood byways are a great way to do that.
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Q7: Do you support or oppose the abolition of parking minimums?
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Puy: I support the abolition of parking minimums. I believe that they are a major barrier to creating more walkable, livable, and sustainable cities. Abolishing parking minimums would allow developers to build more efficiently and to create developments that are more in line with the needs of the community. It would also make it easier for people to walk, bike, and take public transportation, which would help to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and reduce the cost of housing (which is a massive issue relating to the affordability of living in our city). As you know building a parking unit costs tens of thousands of dollars which is transferred to the price of the unit, and if we are serious about our air quality, and our need for affordability in our city, we should think about our parking requirements.
While this isn't really related to parking minimums, I support the possibility of increasing the cost of public parking during red air days and make an additional push to commuters in our city about the need to rely on our public transportation to help in our air quality issues. Hopefully, the additional fees could be directed to fund additional complete street programs within the city.
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