Like so many downtowns across the country, Vernal City is looking to reinvent itself. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion gave an update on the Downtown Revitalization project during the Vernal Chamber luncheon last week and had a positive report. “It has come together with the great collaboration between lots of different groups of people,” said Bennion, who explained that securing the funding for projects is in process and going well. The goal for downtown Vernal is to increase parking as well as provide more walking areas and places to shop, eat, and gather outside. First up in the plans is construction this summer on the block that includes Zions Bank. The block that includes Cobble Rock Park is expected to undergo construction the next summer in 2023 followed in future years by the area near 7-11 Ranch Restaurant and the block that includes the Sage Motel. Thanks to a $1.5 million dollar State of Utah grant, the upgrades downtown will also include improvements to North Vernal Avenue up to 250 North, adding wider turn lanes and sidewalks as well as other improvements.
