January 2026 | Vol. 22 Iss. 1
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South Jordan
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Redfining student support
School teen centers aim to help beyond academics Page 6
Goodbye 2025
Some of our favorite photos from the past year
Page 12
Mayor Ramsey proud of South Jordan’s growth in 2025 By Tom Haraldsen | t.haraldsen@mycityjournals.com
From a new baseball stadium and shopping complex to internal improvements and crystalized future plans, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey is excited about what’s to come in 2026.
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o say that 2025 was one of the most transformative years in the city of South Jordan’s history would be an understatement, but certainly the way Mayor Dawn Ramsey feels as a new year approaches. From the opening of The Ballpark at America First Square to the new TRAX station on the red line, and additions of amenities like a new playground and six new Pickleball courts at East Riverfront Park, the city has certainly grown and improved. “I’m incredibly proud of how our community came together to shape what’s next for our city,” Ramsey said. “From welcoming the Salt Lake Bees to Downtown Daybreak, to the major investments in parks, public safety, water innovation and resident amenities, 2025 was a year of major milestones, each one making life better for the people who call South Jordan home.” Growth is an important part of any community, particularly so in Ramsey’s community. She has witnessed record attendance and engagement at numerous community events. The city received national recognition for the Pure SoJo water recycling demonstration facility. This fall, city officials announced plans for a new Senior Center and affordable housing development at The District. An emphasis on development of new neighborhoods on the west side, accompanied by roads, trails and utilities, is a large part of the city’s future plans. “South Jordan continues to grow because people see the quality of life we protect and the opportunities we’re creating,” she said. “We’re now home to more than 90,000 residents, and with that comes incredible energy and diversity. Growth isn’t just about more homes – It’s about thoughtful planning, growing the economy, reliable infrastructure, safe neighborhoods, and vibrant places where people want to gather, work, and raise families.” No where is that more visible than in Downtown Daybreak, which really came alive this year with the TRAX station, ballpark and the entertainment venues at America First Square.
Officials from UTA joined with Mayor Ramsey at the opening of a new TRAX station in South Jordan. (Photo courtesy of South Jordan City)
“The Square has offered an ice rink, Holiday Lights at the Ballpark, Light the World Giving Machines, and more,” Ramsey said. “It’s becoming a place where people can live, work, ride TRAX, enjoy entertainment at the restaurants and the Megaplex center, and all that within a walkable urban center.” She pointed to the openings of Moena Cafe and Hires Big H, and the coming soon of Nomad Eatery, Red Iguana, Rockwell Ice Cream and more. She called The Ballpark at America First Square “a phenomenal anchor.” So what lies ahead for 2026? “It will be a year of continued investment in the things that matter most to our residents: safety, strong infrastructure, good roads, water reliability, economic opportunity and quality of life amenities,” she said. “We’re building on tremendous momentum.” She said ground will be bro-
ken soon on a new regional performing arts center, and work continues on realignment of U-111 and Mountain View Corridor freeway conversions. She also wants to see more enhancement of community events and recreation programming. Looking back on the years since she first took office in 2018, she said this: “When I was first elected, South Jordan was already a wonderful place, but the scale and complexity of what we’re working on today is truly remarkable. We’ve grown significantly, built deeper partnerships, and taken on projects that will shape our community for generations. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to listening, planning responsibly, and putting people first.”l