I am writing to personally invite you to take part in an important public workshop to help explore the Jordan River’s future. This major effort, known as Blueprint Jordan River, is the first comprehensive look at the river’s entire length. All 15 municipalities and three counties along the river are participating. Denver, Boise and other communities have reclaimed their urban rivers, and we can, too!

Blueprint Jordan River aims to learn the most broadly supported ideas on how to enhance the river as well as the surrounding trails and the form of new buildings.

Workshops are being held the first two weeks of May. The results of these workshops will become a vision for the river corridor. The vision will then be translated into an action plan to shape the river corridor now and for the next few decades.

I hope you will join me and many other residents and elected officials on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Saratoga Shores Elementary School, 1415 S. Parkside Dr. in Saratoga Springs, at 6 p.m.

Please help us plan on your attendance by contacting Mary at (801) 303-1459 or . The RSVP must be received the day before the workshop so we can plan the workshop materials and light refreshments. If you are unable to attend the workshop but still want to share your opinion, please go to www.blueprint.slco.org to complete the same survey that will be used at the workshop.

From Lehi to North Salt Lake, the Jordan River remains a unique opportunity. With creativity and leadership, we can turn a sometimes neglected and underappreciated resource into one of the signature elements of the Wasatch Front.

Mayor Howard H. Johnson