Middle Shooks Run

Thank you to the neighbors who submitted written comments, attended the hearing, or took the time to learn about this issue. Community participation helped ensure that City Council heard perspectives from the Middle Shooks Run neighborhood during its deliberations.

Public Hearing Result

On March 10, City Council considered School District 11’s application to vacate E. Boulder Street between Weber Street and Nevada Avenue as part of the Palmer High School Renovation Plan.
After public testimony and Council deliberation, the motion to approve the vacation failed on a tie vote of 4–4.

The vote means Boulder Street remains public right-of-way.

The $100 million academic building renovation at Palmer High School continues, and Boulder Street will remain closed for construction until January 3, 2028. That work is funded and underway, and it continues to have strong support in our neighborhood.

For updates on District 11’s plans going forward, we will share information as it becomes available and relevant to Middle Shooks Run residents. The district also provides project updates at www.d11.org/palmerrenovations/home.

Safety for Students and Neighbors

One thing yesterday’s hearing made clear is that pedestrian safety around Palmer High School deserves serious attention, and that concern extends beyond the school’s property. The intersections at Platte and Wahsatch, Platte and Boulder, and along the Boulder Street corridor were discussed at length by Council members, District 11 staff, city staff, and members of the public.

During the hearing, the city traffic engineer stated that the city plans to implement a school zone around Palmer with reduced speeds and flashing lights, among other safety measures.

These intersections serve students, but they also serve the many neighbors who walk or bike through this part of the neighborhood every day. Improvements to pedestrian and bicycle safety in this area would benefit both students and residents.

The Middle Shooks Run Neighborhood Association will continue monitoring developments related to the Palmer project and transportation safety in this corridor. As opportunities arise to provide input or advocate for improvements, we will keep the neighborhood informed.

As discussions about the Palmer campus continue, MSRNA intends to remain a constructive participant in conversations affecting the neighborhood.

If you have observations about pedestrian or bicycle safety in the area, we encourage you to share them with the association. Contact us at info@msrna.org or on our Volunteer page.

We appreciate the thoughtful deliberation of City Council during the hearing. In particular, our district representatives, Brandy Williams and Nancy Henjum, contributed perspectives from the surrounding neighborhood that were valuable to the discussion..

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to stay informed and participate in the process.