January 13 2021 Update

Today has been busy, but it has also had some good news.  We have some movement on several big private sector projects that we have been watching with interest over some time.  The Mix has submitted some revised site plans for their project under new ownership.  The Mill Race project has done major demolition work on the older existing buildings on the site and is moving forward.  Sometimes it takes a while (especially during uncertain pandemic times) to get all the pieces put together for a redevelopment project.  But these two projects have great potential to bring some good quality residential, retail and office development in some critical locations in our community.  Kudos to our Development Services team to helping get these projects off the ground.

CORONAVIRUS STATS

Nationally, the CDC reports 22,740,142 cases with 379,255 fatalities.

Utah:  314,817 cases (up 5,188 from yesterday); 12,160 hospitalizations; 1,449 deaths (up 27 from yesterday)  The case count includes 2,289 backdated new COVID-19 cases that were diagnosed as early as June but were not reported as Utah COVID-19 cases until now due to incomplete or unverified address information for the patient.

Utah County:  77,010 cases (up 1,878 from yesterday); 2,051 hospitalizations; 238 deaths (up 6 from yesterday)

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Governor Cox has unveiled his FY 2022 budget priorities, which include investing in education, open space, infrastructure, and a tax decrease.
• An FBI internal memo warns that there may be armed protests in all 50 state capitals on inauguration day.
• Our previous Mayor, now Congressman Curtis has released the following statement on Monday: "I remain firm in my condemnation of the violence in our Nation's Capitol last week and believe there should be consequences for those that played a role, including the President. I would support an impeachment process with hearings, witnesses, and testimony and I would support an appropriately worded censure but unfortunately, a 48-hour impeachment process has no chance of reaching a thoughtful conclusion, holds no consideration for the millions people who have voted for him, and will do nothing to unite the country or answer the many questions needing resolution."

PROVO SOCIAL MEDIA

THE MAYOR'S DAY

Today, Mayor Kaufusi:

• Met with the City Ombudsman/Property Coordinator
• Had a discussion with a local business owner
• Participated in a meeting with our lobbyist
• Met with the Deputy Mayor
• Held a meeting on the City Center
• Met with Provo residents
• Participated in an Opinion Leader Dinner for Centro Hispano

FUN STUFF

A South Korean startup company has developed an AI-powered dog collar that can detect five emotions in canines by monitoring their barks using voice recognition technology.  Now - that's all I need.  As if my spoiled dog wasn't spoiled enough - now she can tell me how she is feeling at any given moment?  I 'm not sure I even want to know....

Have a great rest of your day!

Wayne