Dec. 2024 | Vol. 34 Iss. 12
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MURRAY IN 2025: AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT TO EXPECT By Ella Joy Olsen | e.olsen@mycityjournals.com
“C
hange is inevitable.” Or so it’s been said. So, of course, things are changing and progressing in Murray. Here’s a quick debrief from Doug Hill, the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, on a few upcoming changes. Murray Power – With the goal of consuming cleaner energy, coal powered power plants are on the decline, worldwide. Murray Power is currently weighing options for transitioning more fully to natural gas, a cleaner source of power, via their existing relationship with Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. This is a proactive move to lessen Murray’s dependence on coal, as coal power will gradually be phased out. Currently, Murray Power is in several cooperative contracts and receives power from many sources including coal, solar, some natural gas, methane capture and hydro. The transition should not result in a change in billing or additional cost to residents. Public Works Upgrades – Murray City Public Works takes care of streets, water, storm water, sewer and garbage. All necessary, but at times underappreciated functions of city management and maintenance. Public Works is seeking a bond for $20 million to replace and upgrade their older buildings at their existing location, about 4600 South and 500 West. The upgrades will include office space and storage for equipment and service vehicles. After funding is secured, construction should commence within the year. Annexation – There is a small area between Millcreek, Holladay and Murray, “an island, you could say, of unincorporated land,” Hill said. Because of a law the state legislature passed in the last session, requiring that any remaining “islands” of unincorporated land in the county should automatically transfer to the adjacent city with the largest population by 2027 (in this case would be Millcreek), it set some residents, who identify as Murrayites, to petition for annexation into Murray rather than Millcreek. Continued page 7
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Tea Rose Diner moving to historic Murray Chapel
Construction on the Murray Theater continues. The project is behind schedule and over budget due to unforeseen structural issues, but Marketing Specialist Erica Brown says, “It seems like everyone I talk to has a childhood memory of coming to the Murray Theater, either for a movie or a musical performance. This space will be awesome and is very important to Murray.” It is expected to open spring of 2025. (Ella Joy Olsen/City Journals)
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Cottonwood basketball returns
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Refugee soccer