LAYTON — It’s still very much a work in progress, but planning for Layton’s new hotel/mall area “interconnecting walking trail/park” is moving forward.

Originally called the “yellow brick road” by Davis Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Barbara Riddle, the idea was to make it easier for visitors to hotels and others to reach nearby destinations.

That could include creating sidewalks and pathways specifically marked, leading to such nearby sites as the Layton Hills Mall, various restaurants, Davis Conference Center, hotels and more.

“The concept has not changed,” said Layton Parks Supervisor Brock Hill. But such details as design features will now see more attention.

“We (city, Davis County officials) want to make sure we’re taking into consideration the desires and wants of property owners, getting their input,” he said.

During a planning meeting last week, it was decided a committee will be formed of property owners, the county, CVB and Layton City.

“We’re ready to get down to the nitty-gritty as to what they want to do, focus our attention on their design wants and needs,” Hill said.

“They (businesses) see the value of bringing an economic base to Layton,” he said. At least as envisioned now, it will continue to include park areas and ornamental lighting and other features.

One possibility that was previously mentioned was having an interactive water feature, similar to what is at the Gateway in Salt Lake City or downtown St. George.

“I care passionately for the walking system,” said Riddle, whose office is adjacent to the Conference Center, in the middle of the projected walkway area.

“There is a lot of energy and excitement to get this system, pathway into place. It’s great for the city, tourism, convention attendees, and business employees, as well as those taking advantage of shopping, etc., or who are walking to a restaurant, etc.,” Riddle said. “It will create great connectivity.”

“The thing that’s going to make this successful is the interaction with the environment, whether it’s business people coming out of their offices to have lunch in the park, moms bringing people down, or conference goers – we want it to be a draw,” Hill said.

“We want it to be active, vibrant, a neat experience for them to want to come back. We want to make sure everybody understands where we’re coming from as a city, also the county, CVB, that we’re paying attention to them (businesses, property owners), providing for them what they need to feel this is valuable,” he said.

A yearly assessment to property owners has been mentioned as one way to help pay for the park/walkway, which could cost into the millions of dollars, depending on what gets included.

“Layton elements, such as using the history of Layton,” including the ties with Hill AFB, are among considerations to make the park unique, he said.

“We want to make sure we’re using things that say Layton, speak about Layton, not some generic idea,” Hill emphasized.

“We want to make sure we’re speaking to the businesses that are there, so people can identify not only that this is Layton, but it includes these types of businesses – so they know subconsciously that this is Layton.”

But it will be more successful if businesses feel they are a part of it, he added.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com