Lawmakers in a quick afternoon session also approved settling a lawsuit over a problem-plagued highway for less than half of what the state had once sought from the contractor.
One of the Operation Rio Grande bills, HB1002, makes changes in law to allow Salt Lake City to temporarily close Rio Grande Street near the downtown shelter and lease it to the state (at no cost). Crews recently constructed fences there aimed at keeping out drug dealers and creating a “safe space” for homeless people.
“Social order is being restored to that area, and this is a key component,” said House Speaker Greg Hughes, R-Draper, who has helped lead efforts to clean up the Rio Grande area.