Snider Plaza Improvements

We will maintain proactive and frequent communication about construction on the City's communication channels. You may also subscribe to receive email updates about the Snider Plaza Improvements Project.

Snider Plaza Post-Construction Policies

Now that Snider Plaza construction is complete, University Park City Council is considering actions and policy to help ensure the long-term vibrancy of the Plaza. During the City Council meeting on November 18, the following action items were formally approved, and more information will be coming soon regarding implementation in Snider Plaza:

Extending the Snider Plaza employee parking program in Hilltop Parking Garage until March 31, 2026
Establishing a residential parking district in the residential area west of Snider Plaza
Restricting vehicles in excess of 10,000 pounds and with three or more axles within Snider Plaza
Establishing two-hour parking and no overnight parking for a parking lot at 3420 Rankin

The City will begin providing businesses, property owners, and residents with specific communication on these items in early 2026.

Fountain Design

Since City Council approved the project, removal of the old fountain is required due to its age, structural degradation and unrealistic maintenance requirements. The new fountain design was selected by City Council in a process that vetted several options. When selecting the design, City Council heavily took into consideration feedback it received from the community during virtual neighborhood meetings on the construction project. The new fountain, designed by Space Between Design, is similar in appearance to the old design and features sustainable, modernized equipment and improved water use efficiency.

Neighborhood Meeting Presentation

Because the Snider Plaza construction will impact many people in the community, City staff held two neighborhood meetings on Thursday, April 25 and Tuesday, April 30 to provide details about the project’s scope, and present specific information on construction phasing and time frames. Additionally, staff provided information on the alleys and streets that will be affected, including traffic flow and parking. You can watch the recording of the neighborhood meeting below.

Project Background

Having completed the replacement of water and sanitary sewer utilities in and around the plaza, the City is moving forward with construction documents for a second stage of improvements. The streetscape project Concept Plan includes new pavement, stormwater utilities, parking enhancements, pedestrian amenities and landscaping.

To assist with final consideration of design elements, in late 2022 the City constructed a streetscape mock-up to showcase all of the components (see graphics below). It's located on city property along Rankin, just west of Snider Plaza.

Last spring, following additional input from Council regarding design elements, the City initiated a request for the zoning approval necessary to complete the project. In July 2023, City Council took the following actions:

Approval of a concept plan for the street zone and sidewalk zone within the public domain of Snider Plaza with modifications including removal of the Rosedale Green and Snider Common to provide additional parking.
Approval of expansion of PD-1R boundaries to incorporate additional parking on the city-owned lot at Rankin and Hursey.
Approval of waiver of a requirement for a detailed site plan.

During the January 23 City Council meeting, staff was authorized to advertise bids for a phased approach to the Snider Plaza Surface Improvements project. We are pleased to report that Phase 1 of the Snider Plaza Surface Improvements project is ready to move into construction. This project will include removal and replacement of existing sidewalks, streets, and parking within Snider Plaza, as well as the addition of landscaping, lighting, accessibility upgrades, a parking lot on Rankin and other aesthetic enhancements.

Phase 1 of the project is highlighted in the following graphic:

While the original concept plan showed improvements from Daniel to Lovers including all east/west side streets, the approved design for Phase 1 includes improvements from Daniel to Rankin and select east/west side streets. This includes the following areas:

6600 block of Snider Plaza
6700 block of Snider Plaza
6800 block of Snider Plaza
3400 block of Daniel, area between the east and west alleys of Snider Plaza
3400 block of Rosedale, area between the east alley and Snider Plaza
3400 block of Milton, area from Hillcrest to Snider Plaza
3400 block of Westminster, area from Hillcrest to Snider Plaza
3400 block of Rankin, area from Hursey to the alley west of Snider Plaza
Stormwater upgrades only in the 6900 block of Snider Plaza
Addition of surface parking on the City-owned lot at Rankin and Hursey

The City Council’s decision to phase Snider Plaza improvements was largely impacted by right-of-way differences between the southern and northern portions of Snider Plaza. In the southern portion (Daniel to Rankin), the City’s right-of-way extends between storefronts. However, in the northern portion, the City’s right-of-way narrows. The City began requesting easements from property owners in January 2023, but was not successful in obtaining all the easements necessary to complete the project in the northern portion of Snider Plaza. The City will continue to design this area in hopes of completing future phases.

Here are project-related public meetings held in 2023-2024.

March 19, 2024	City Council Meeting City Council approved contractor award for Snider Plaza Surface Improvements construction.	Meeting Video
January 23, 2024	City Council Meeting City Council approved authorization of Snider Plaza Surface Improvements request for bids.	Meeting Video
August 15, 2023	City Council Meeting City Council approved construction limits scope of work.	Meeting Video
July 20, 2023	City Council Work Session City Council held a special meeting to discuss the Hillcrest/Daniel intersection.	Meeting Video
July 18, 2023	City Council Meeting City Council approved a revised concept plan with the adopted changes incorporated.	Meeting Video
June 6, 2023	City Council Meeting City Council conducted a public hearing and voted to approve the concept plan with modifications.	Meeting Video
May 30, 2023	Planning & Zoning Commission Special Meeting P&Z voted to recommend approval of the concept plan with modifications and approval of a waiver for a detailed site plan.	Meeting Video
May 9, 2023	Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting P&Z voted to recommend approval of the City’s request to expand the boundary of PD-1R to include the Rankin lot.	Meeting Video
April 11, 2023	Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting P&Z received a presentation from staff regarding the City’s zoning request and opened a public hearing.	Meeting Video
February 7, 2023	City Council Meeting City Engineer Katie Barron provided a design update based on feedback received from the mock-up.	Meeting Video