In The Middle of Everything City Hall – 7505 South Holden Street • Midvale, UT 84047
APRIL 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER
Midvale Monthly with Mayor Gettel Building Bridges, Not Barriers MIDVALE CITY DIRECTORY City Hall ...................................................801-567-7200 Finance/Utilities ...................................801-567-7200 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 City Attorney’s Office .........................801-567-7250 City Recorder/Human Resources ...801-567-7228 Community Development ...............801-567-7211 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Ace Disposal/Recycling .....................801-363-9995 Midvale Historical Museum .............801-567-7285 Midvale Senior Center .......................385-468-3350 SL County Animal Services ..............385-468-7387 Communications .................................801-567-7230
MIDVALE CITY ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor - Dustin Gettel Email: Dgettel@midvaleut.gov
Midvale City is exploring an exciting opportunity to expand outdoor access and regional connectivity with the potential construction of a new pedestrian bridge linking Bingham Junction Park to the Jordan River Trail. This project represents a meaningful step forward in enhancing how residents and visitors experience our open spaces while strengthening connections with neighboring communities. A project of this scale is estimated to cost approximately $1.25 million. While that is a significant investment, we are actively working to secure local, state, and federal grant funding to cover nearly all of these costs. By leveraging these funding opportunities, especially with partners like the Wasatch Front Regional Council, we aim to deliver a high-impact project while minimizing the financial burden on our residents. The importance of this connection cannot be overstated. A pedestrian bridge here would provide easy access from the park to the trail, opening direct routes into West Jordan and Murray. Just as importantly, it would make it easier for residents of those communities to explore everything Midvale has to offer. This is not a proj-
ect that serves just one neighborhood – it creates a regional link that expands recreation and transportation opportunities across shared borders. This effort has been a collaborative one from the start. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with city staff, neighboring municipalities, state officials, and residents from across Midvale to move this vision forward. The shared enthusiasm and input from so many collaborators underscore the broad value of this project. While we have not yet received final approval, I remain committed to securing funding, building partnerships, and advocating for this vital connection. Projects like this don’t happen overnight, but they are worth the effort for the lasting benefits they bring. In the meantime, if you haven’t been on the Jordan River Trail recently, you’re missing out. From ducks and deer to, if you’re lucky, the family of pelicans that visit us for a few months each year, it’s a regional destination that shows the beauty of our community and surrounding areas.
CITY COUNCIL District 1 - Bonnie Billings Email: Bbillings@midvaleut.gov
Employee Spotlight - Meet Juan Rosario
District 2 - Paul Glover Email: Pglover@midvaleut.gov
Juan Rosario is Midvale City’s Systems Administrator.
District 3 - Heidi Robinson Email: Hrobinson@midvaleut.gov
Are you snoring yet? Rosario isn’t. He loves his job. Systems Administration is under IT (Information Technology). In short, computers. Everything everyone does is on a computer. We keep our calendars and notes on a computer. We communicate through our computers. We keep track of city information through computers. So what would happen if Rosario didn’t do his job? If you don’t pay your water bill, you won’t get water. But then what happens if you can’t pay your bill? You still don’t get water. Thankfully, that doesn’t happen. And if something does go wrong, it isn’t a problem for long because Rosario and the rest of IT does their job well. Like his favorite Dungeons & Dragons character, a wizard who stays behind the fight to cast spells to strengthen his teammates, he works behind the scenes to make sure everyone else has what they need to get their job done. Matt Pierce, IT Director, said that Rosario, “cares about the residents and the staff, that they get the support they need, and about his job and what he’s doing. He will take care of things because he’s worried about them.” That attention and care isn’t just sentimental fluff to keep everyone happy. It’s a high-stakes necessity that supports the security of the city. It isn’t just a “tech thing,” it’s common sense. Their advice to Midvale residents is to always be careful about giving your private information. “If they have a question, call us,” Pierce said. “We’d rather people be overcautious about what they’re inputting than not because it not only safeguards them, but also neighbors in the city.”
District 4 - Bryant Brown Email: Bbrown@midvaleut.gov District 5 - Denece Mikolash Email: Dmikolash@midvaleut.gov
WHO TO CALL FOR… Water Bills ...............................................801-567-7200 Ordering A New Trash Can ...............801-567-7202 Permits ....................................................801-567-7214 Court ........................................................801-567-7265 Paying For Traffic School ...................801-567-7202 Business Licensing ............................. 801-567-7213 Cemetery ................................................801-567-7235 Planning and Zoning .........................801-567-7238 Code Enforcement ..............................801-567-7208 Building Inspections...........................801-567-7214 Graffiti .....................................................385-468-9769
PUBLIC SAFETY & EMERGENCY CONTACTS EMERGENCY .............................................................. 911 Police Dispatch .....................................801-840-4000 Fire Dispatch .........................................801-940-4000 Unified Police Department > Midvale Precinct .............................385-468-9350 Public Works ..........................................801-567-7235 Rocky Mountain Power .....................877-508-5088
Rosario works for Midvale because he wants to “be a cause for good,” not just get a paycheck. “I always had this way where I would just end up working for organizations… that were helping people out and had causes, instead of self-interested organizations,” Rosario said. “I’ve always gravitated to those types of environments.” Most people will never meet or see Rosario. You also won’t notice his work, until it isn’t there. That’s exactly how IT needs to function. He and his team will keep Midvale City running smoothly, and Rosario doesn’t plan on leaving anytime soon. “Midvale has treated me well. I’ve invested a lot of time and Midvale has invested a lot of time into me.”
In The Middle of Everything
MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
Staying Safe Online: A Message from Midvale City Every day, we rely on email, text messages, and online services to stay connected to our families, our workplaces, and our community. Unfortunately, scammers rely on that same trust. One of the most common and effective tools they use is phishing. Phishing is when someone pretends to be a trusted organization or person and tricks you into sharing personal information, clicking a malicious link, or sending money. These
messages are getting more convincing every year, which is why awareness is our best defense.
COMMON TYPES OF PHISHING TO WATCH FOR Email Phishing These messages often look like they come from a bank, delivery service, utility company, or even the city. They may claim there’s a problem with your account or that urgent action is required. Scammers rely on fear and urgency to push you into clicking before thinking. Text Message Scams (Smishing) Text scams are short and direct “Your package is delayed,” or “Your account will be locked today.” These messages often include a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal your information. Phone Call Scams (Vishing) Scammers may call pretending to be technical support, a government agency, or a company you recognize. They may pressure you to act immediately or threaten consequences if you don’t. Social media and Messaging App Scams Sometimes phishing comes from hacked accounts or fake profiles pretending to be friends, coworkers, or community members. These messages may ask for help, money, or a quick favor. How the City Will Communicate with You It’s also important to know what Midvale City will and will not do: • Midvale City will never ask for your password or full personal information via email or text. • Official city emails will come from recognized city domains. • Payment requests will always direct you to the official city website (midvale.utah.gov) or Xpress BillPay (xpressbillpay. com). If you ever receive a message claiming to be from Midvale City and you’re unsure, please contact us directly through our official website or call our city offices.
Time to Leash Up! Salt Lake County Animal Services With spring in full swing, many people are heading outside to enjoy warmer weather, longer days, and time in the neighborhood, parks, and local trails with their dogs. Before you head out, remember two simple essentials: a leash and poop bags. Leash Laws Salt Lake County Animal Services frequently hears from people who say their dog is friendly or behaves better off-leash. While that may be true, not everyone is comfortable encountering an off-leash dog—even a friendly one. Other pets may be reactive, and some people may simply feel uneasy around dogs they don’t know. For these reasons, dogs must be kept on a leash in public areas unless they are in a designated off-leash dog park. A leash is not just recommended—it’s required by law. Dogs found offleash in non-designated areas may result in a citation and fine. Keeping your dog leashed helps ensure the safety of your pet, other animals, and members of the community.
Pack Out the Poop Cleaning up after your dog is also required by law. Pet waste left behind in neighborhoods, parks, or along trails is considered a public nuisance and may result in fines. Bringing waste bags when you head out with your dog helps keep our shared spaces clean and enjoyable for everyone. Know the Laws Want to learn more about animal ordinances in your city or township? Visit AdoptUtahPets.com and check out the “Laws” section to view the regulations in your area. To contact an Animal Control Officer, call dispatch at 801840-4000.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Unified Police Department 7912 S Main Street, Midvale Properly dispose of unwanted or expired prescription medications.
APRIL 2026 CITY NEWSLETTER MIDVALE . UTAH . GOV
A Strong Main Street is Good for All of Midvale gram), that not only helps our residents, but the state. It puts more people on the street to use the coffee and ice cream shops. There are more eyes on the street to decrease crime. There are more people to see shows at The Pearl. All of these things support and grow the street which ultimately serves you, the people who live here. This shows up again in our lighting strategy. While lights look cool and are nice for helping us see when the sun goes down, they also make people feel safer, which means they are more likely to come. That helps the businesses. Businesses doing well helps other businesses do well. For nearly ten years, you have watched Midvale Main Street transform from a blighted street with empty shops and boarded up windows, to a vibrant walkable street with dozens of larger-than-life murals, exquisite aromas and an activity for every age. The transformation isn’t complete, and Midvale City’s part is far from finished. But have you wondered why we decided to make it a project area in the first place, and why we decided to paint it over with murals and insert an art house? It wasn’t just a fun idea we decided to try while crossing our fingers and hoping it might work. The vision was shaped through research, planning studies, and community engagement to understand what residents wanted Main Street to become. Have you been to our open houses, or taken our surveys about Main Street? The following studies are the result of community engagement and research: • Main Street Neighborhood Form-Based Code • Midvale Downtown Arts District Market Study • Midvale Urban Design Plan • Midvale Main Street Concept Plan From these studies, we learned what would serve the people of Midvale best. If we did nothing, the area would continue to sit empty, unusable and losing money. The Look and Feel – Form-Based Code “Form-based code” sounds like a snooze fest. What it means is that the look of the street comes first. “We call this placemaking,” Nate Rockwood, Assistant City Manager, said. “We’re trying to create something where people feel comfortable and safe, or they feel like it’s an interesting place to be. It gives you something new but it also maintains that identity…that would be on a historic main street.” What is inside those buildings can be mixed. It doesn’t have to be just one thing, a business or a home, but can be both at the same time. The buildings are built right up to the sidewalk, with parking in back. They are two or three stories tall, and have big glass windows on the bottom floor. West Main is one of our best examples of form-based code. Even though it is one big building, it looks like several small ones because there are three facades, three shapes of windows, glass, crowning and entrances. When you think about places you spend time shopping or eating, think about how much you want to be there, or if you want to walk from shop to shop. In some unorganized places “As people just walk along, they get to a point and they recognize something’s changed about the street, they’ll just turn around and start walking back the other way,” Rockwood said. We need to prevent that. Placemaking also means building an ecosystem. If we put in affordable housing (Main Street Upper Floor Housing Pro-
The Art - Midvale Downtown Arts District Market Study What we needed was a spark. The questions we asked first: What’s lacking in the valley? What is our niche? Are there enough people to support a revitalized Main Street to bring in customers? What we found: The demographics in Midvale really thrive when it comes to experiences. They want to participate in a community. They want experiential art. “It’s not that they want to go and see art in a museum,” Rockwood said. “They want to go out onto a street and see that it’s a part of everything.” This is where our Arts and Culture District comes in. The Art House supports the creation of art culture. It is a City subsidized space, not to turn a profit but to act as a cornerstone. “The key is that it’s open to the public and we invite the public to come in, talk to the artists, engage with them,” Rockwood said. “We work with the artists to put on workshops and different classes. They provide additional opportunities for the community to come out and engage with the artistic process.” The Los Muros on Main: Midvale City Mural Festival also supports the culture. “It’s a time where we bring in artists from all over the world and they paint for a week,” Kate Andrus, Redevelopment Agency Director, said. “The community can come out, interact with the mural artists, and watch them paint. At the end we have a mural festival, a celebration of the new art on the street. We have vendors and musicians on the street. We try to incorporate different art elements that people can participate in.” An arts district is arts focused but includes restaurants, retail and many other things. Everything has an art “slant” to it. We’re building the space for longevity, a vibrant, constant gathering spot for generations to come. Longevity also means continuing support of local artists. We aren’t going to price out artists with high rent. Once we reach 50 murals on the block, we will start to renew them. All our muralists know their art is temporary and paint with this in mind. This keeps the area fresh but also continues to support the artists. “We’ll always need muralists and we’ll always give muralists an opportunity to put up new art because we’re constantly revitalizing,” Andrus said. The Details - Main Street Concept Plan (We don’t want to brag, but this plan won the American Planning Association Utah Beehive Award of Excellence.) We asked: • What does it feel like to walk down the street? • What does it take to make it feel inviting, walkable? • What makes people want to go to Midvale Main Street? This meant looking closely at landscaping, lighting, building iconic entryways on either end of the street, and commu-
nal gathering spaces. On the north end we have the food truck plaza with seating, shade structures. It’s a place for people to spend their evening and experience new food. The other end is The Pearl, the draw of the iconic architecture of the businesses, and we have envisioned a grand entry arch. Already, the two ends of Midvale Main Street have different vibes, but we have worked to create cohesion with lighting. The historic south lights were inspired by photos from the 1950s with matched streetlights and classic straight across string lights to evoke a nostalgic, traditional feel. The modern north continues the string lights, but continues in a zig-zag pattern with updated light fixtures. The two halves meet in the center with a midblock plaza that will serve as a central gathering place. You also asked for more open gathering space along Midvale Main Street. “We really took that to heart,” Rockwood said. “We actually changed the form- based code around a little bit to allow that to happen. There’s a couple of other properties that the RDA in the city owns and rather than just sell them to a developer, we’re looking at those spaces to be additional open spaces.” The walkability is the biggest asset to Midvale Main Street. We want people to feel safe and like they can walk the street. This study looked at the traffic load on the street, how fast are people driving. We are developing strategies to slow traffic and push some traffic to other streets. Put parking on the outside, keep it pedestrian friendly. Making Midvale Main Street Work for Small Businesses We can give a leg up to local and small businesses to bring them to our street, either to help them with remodeling of the building (Adaptive Reuse Loan), or moving into the area, or host events to bring guests onto the street. Some examples are: • Midvale Main Business Loan Program Honeysuckle Coffee Co., SaltFire Brewing Co., Greek Streak, The Bambino, Cactus and Tropicals, The Pearl, Blacksmith Ice Cream Co. • Main Street Facade Improvement Program The Pearl, The Bambino (old Vincent Drug building), SaltFire Brewing Co., Midvale Bank, El Potrero Market • Our brand new Activation Grant $1,000 to activate Midvale Main Street with events Small businesses are the heart of Midvale Main Street, bringing life, art, and history together for everyone in Midvale. Stroke by stroke, Midvale Main Street plans are blending together, but we have to trust the process. It will be a place where neighbors can gather, local businesses can thrive, artists can create, and Midvale can feel welcome and proud of their city.