On my radio show Tuesday we’ll be discussing the disagreement between Ammon and Idaho Falls over who pays to make Hitt Road as big as it should be. I’ll be interviewing Ammon City Council President Dana Kirkham.
I’m sure this is a simplistic view, but Ammon basically says they’ve already paid for more than half of Hitt Road (Sunnyside to 17th) so far and they aren’t paying for more. Idaho Falls says the busy road runs between the two cities, so both should pay.
One could look at this a number of ways, and since I live in Idaho Falls and use Hitt Road frequently, I probably have a jaundiced view of the issue. But, what the heck…
The first point, is that Ammon had a greater interest in expanding Hitt road previously because of the major growth along the stretch between Sunnyside and 17th street. Secondly, Ammon’s impressive commercial growth could not have happened without Idaho Falls. A bedroom community wouldn’t be able to support those businesses all alone.
I also believe that Ammon stands the most to gain, financially, from the latest expansion, because Ammon’s side of the road is largely undeveloped. Idaho Falls’ side of the road is nearly all residential. It won’t bring added property value to Idaho Falls.
Idaho Falls wants to upgrade the road for traffic flow. Ammon will benefit because of economic development.
So, my admittedly biased question is this: Why should the city of Idaho Falls pay entirely for an upgrade that will benefit Ammon the most?
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It WAS all he had to say about it!
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Since moving here, I’ve heard enough comments from people who claim Ammon is kind of like a parasite on the city of Idaho Falls, reaping the benefits without spending much money. From my own observations, Ammon needs to get with the program and build the structure of the city offices up to meet the needs of the community, ie police, fire, parks, building, etc.
Increased road development will only add to the need of more effective city services. I guess the question is: How much CAN Ammon afford to pay for?
I live just outside of Ammon. I’ll just state that I agree that Ammon needs to get with the program. While they like to bill themselves as low taxes low cost living (and it’s pretty true) the fact is that being a low income city makes the citizen pay in other ways. AKA no sidewalks along busy roads (take ammon road near Lincoln as an example… and there is even an elementary school there that kids can’t get to safely without a ride), very few parks comparitive to population (go to McCowin park on any weekday morning and there is hardly a parking space to be had), and only a volenteer fire department. Personally I would be willing to pay a little more in taxes for these things and for possibly having some better city planning as well.
As far as Hitt road goes, in my opinion, Ammon should pay for the percentage of the road that they share. For instance on the intersection of Hitt and 1st I think they should be 1/4 of that because they only “own” 1/4 of the land hooked to it, as far as north of that IF should pay for the road due to Ammon not owning any of it. Maybe the county could pitch in? As far as south of the intersection I think they should pay 1/2. Yes IF has little to gain outside of traffic improvment, but it was their zoning laws etc that decided that their side of that road was to be residential, the city of Ammon should not be held accountable for IF’s zoning decisions.
Anyways, that’s my two cents.
Happy to hear what other people think.
Ammon doesn’t even feel like a real city, they really need to step up and help pay for this project, and I live in this “so-called” city.
By the way Neal, what happened to your blog site, it now says it’s a private blog?
Why should Ammon pay when the Idaho Falls city leaders prove time and time again they have no bite behind their bark. The IF mayor and city council demand Ammon pay their share and when Ammon doesn’t the mayor and city council put their tail between their legs and foist the bill on the city of IF. Its happened before, its happening now, and it will happen again until the leaders in IF grow a spine. If I was running Ammon I’d refuse to pay too knowing that IF will just foot the bill anyway.
Sounds to me like Idaho Falls is the parent who keeps giving in to the spoiled Ammon child??? I’m surprised we haven’t heard from more “Ammonites” here.
One thing I’m wondering is whose dumb idea was it to close down the intersection at 1st and Hitt? They could have kept east / west traffic open for months while doing the north and south parts and this would have alleviated much of the traffic backup. It also wouldn’t have destroyed the business for the fast food places and gas stations on the corner.
I agree #6, sometimes the way construction is done in this area just completely baffles me.
Ammon has become the white trash capital of east Idaho. Their Walmart and streets are getto.
wow, didn’t know this post had turned into an all out Ammonbashfest. Interesting.
I wouldn’t exaggerate so much Guest. I have relatives in Ammon who are far from white trash. “Getto”? – I thought only teenagers used that word anymore. Try spell check next time.
Whose bright idea was it to close Hitt Road at the same time Woodruff was shut down to 1 lane each direction? Getting across town this past week was a joke. Doesn’t anyone coordinate these things or think about them ahead of time?
the construction looks great on a map I’m sure, but they don’t ever seam to look into where people are going to detour too. needless to say Ammon road is VERY busy.
they always seam to do this and think nothing of it. I remember several years ago when i was a delivery driver they had Holmes, Boulevard, and Woodfuff underconstruction plus (seemingly) all of the north/south residental streets between Boulavard and Holmes. Needless to say I was very annoyed an hourly basis.