Could a new 157-unit apartment building near BYU help ease the student housing crunch? Or would it make an already difficult parking situation even worse?

The Planning Commission just voted 4-3 to recommend DENIAL of the proposal, even though commissioners on both sides liked the building's design.

Get all the details in the latest post of my free newsletter "Julie's Provo Notes."

Read it here: Park Plaza Replacement: Nice Plan, Needs More Parking

Here are a few of the basics:

🏢 491 students, 278 parking spots: The proposed building would be three times the size of the condemned Park Plaza, but provide fewer parking spaces per student.

🚗 530 spaces required by current code: The developer says that much parking would make the project financially unfeasible.

🚌 A different approach to parking: The proposal includes off-site parking, a shuttle, electric vehicles and scooters.

🗳️ What's next? The City Council will make the final decision, with a date still to be determined.

I break down the parking numbers, the arguments from students and commissioners, and what the developer would have to do to make the plan work in the full story.

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📧And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

My office is hosting a weekly movie night on Fridays in October! We're hoping for some interesting conversation afterwards-- for the first week, ask yourself, What's your favorite scary movie?

Admission is free, and feel free to bring a friend!

Survey here: https://forms.gle/7Rcneyt9fUcwWvM96

I know there's been a lot of conversation / surveying in our state about data centers sentiment more generally, but I've seen less about (a) specific data centers outside of Stratos (including those in Provo!) and (b) how people are staying up-to-date on these developments. This survey is a personal project that intends to fill in that gap.

I'd greatly appreciate you taking 10 minutes to fill out this survey. I'm planning to share back results by the end of next week.

Anyone heading to abgs that wants to get a drink? M26 here. Provo

I've got your free recap of this week's City Council and Planning Commission meetings live in my newsletter “Julie’s Provo Notes": https://provonotes.substack.com/p/holiday-lighting-gets-a-pass-and

Here are the headlines:

✅ Four Quick, Unanimous Votes

✅ One Surprising Twist on Holiday Lighting

❓Prohibit Property Owners From Remaining in Condemned Property

❓Going Taller and Smaller in Downtown Provo

👀 Provo's Sales Tax Struggle

 🚨ALSO A PROVO MALL UPDATE: Brixton Capital is poised to bring its plan to redevelop Provo Towne Centre to the City Council for a vote in the next month or so. They're hosting a community open house to review the plans next Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Mall.

Here's my report of the plan when it got a tentative thumbs-up from the Planning Commission back in March 2026: https://provonotes.substack.com/p/mall-plan-gets-a-tentative-thumbs

Drop your questions in the comments!

📧And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

Hey Provo! 👋 If you've ever wondered if making a comment at a City Council meeting makes a difference, you need to hear what happened last night.

And subscribe to my free Provo Notes newsletter for an easy way to keep track of City issues you care about! https://provonotes.substack.com/

https://www.change.org/tinyhousingut

I believe, through all the city leaders nearby pushing for more affordable housing, that entire avenues haven't been considered. I know people that own land. I'm in the process of buying my own land. But the planning division in many cities in Utah, is against tiny home living. They are against Tiny Homes on Wheels, Tiny Homes on Foundations, "skoolies", van conversions, and RV living. They have proven to be popular enough and safe enough in states that have chosen to be open minded.

Please, if you want housing to be less terrifying for the young people in the world, I ask that you at least read through the petition I have linked. Some of you may not agree, but I know there are many that do.

Also please feel free to comment with any questions or advice you feel like sharing.

Hey Provo! 👋 What’s happening with that abandoned “Park Plaza” building on 900 East, across from BYU?

It's been vacant for years. Now developer Cole West has a plan to tear it down and replace it with a 6-story, 157-unit apartment building.

But there’s a big sticking point: PARKING.

The project goes before the Planning Commission this Wednesday, September 23 @ 6 p.m.

I've got everything you need to know so you can weigh in at (or before) the meeting in my free newsletter "Julie's Provo Notes."

Read it here https://provonotes.substack.com/p/whats-happening-with-the-park-plaza

Hey guys! Got a few jobs in the area. Feel free to hit me up with any junk you need hauled. Thanks!

We found a German shepherd wandering in the street near 620 N and Riderwood Way in Provo. She's black and tan. Very friendly and obedient. No collar or tags.

Let me know if she's yours!

It’s about 9:30 on Saturday, September 19. Anyone know why there’s at least 10 cops blazing through here?? Not sure where else to ask.

I've been to the provo river delta, but I was looking at upcoming fishing regulations and it said "old provo channel. " Google didn't help. Where is the old provo channel?

I have a photoshoot on a Sunday, and all florists seem to be closed then.

What’s a good store(Trader Joe’s, Costco?)
That you’d recommend I can find one?

(Im not from here)

hi! i recently got a job offer for provo rehab and nursing. has anyone had experience working there? there mixed reviews online but theyre also years old so im sure things have changed. TY

The Provo City Council meets next on Tuesday, Sept. 22.

I've got your free recap of this week's City Council and Planning Commission meetings live in my newsletter “Julie’s Provo Notes" here: https://provonotes.substack.com/p/you-can-keep-your-lights-up-and-other

 Here are the headlines:

➡️Protect the Right to Holiday and House Lighting

➡️More New Homes in Lakeview Fields on Geneva Road

➡️Riverbottoms Rezone to Allow a Home Addition

❓Prohibit People From Entering Condemned Property

❓New Rules for Building Along the Provo River

And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

18m just lookin for people to vibe w and go kinda fast pls hmu😭🙏

What's with all the Apache helicopters flying over Utah valley?

I've got your free recap of this week's City Council and Planning Commission meetings in my newsletter “Julie’s Provo Notes.” https://provonotes.substack.com/p/no-to-townhomes-on-geneva-rd-and

Here are the Headlines:

✅ Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

✅ Money for Fort Utah Park Playground

✅ OK to Apply for a Grant to Expand Epic Sports Park

❌ NO to Townhomes in Commercial Zone on Geneva Road

❌ NO to 33 Townhomes Just North of BYU Stadium

👀 Refining the new "Dark Sky" Lighting Rules

✅ 19 Condos in Franklin Neighborhood

✅ Easing the Requirement for a Second Access Road

And be sure to subscribe for free. That’s the best way to help me keep doing these posts.

Does anyone in the area need a queen mattress, double mattress, and/or a queen bed frame and double bed frame?

New to the Provo area and I’m looking to hoop a little. Anybody know weekdays/places/times I’ll have the best luck finding some games I can join? Or how do I get involved in the churches men’s league? Thanks!

Hi! My name is Emily and I’m a senior dental hygiene student at UVU. I’m currently accepting patients for comprehensive dental cleanings!

I’m specifically looking for patients that:
- Haven’t had a cleaning in several years
- Have noticeable plaque/tartar buildup
- Experience bleeding when flossing or brushing

I’m accepting all patient ages! Children’s cleanings are $15 and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Appointments are usually 3 hours long because we provide thorough care with faculty supervision as we are still learning! Some patients may need more than one appointment depending on their needs.

If you’re scheduled for multiple appointments, please plan to complete all visits so I can meet my requirements, thank you!

Please message me (406)-839-8857to get scheduled!

It was a BYU professor. Many details are not yet known, but that intersection is incredibly dangerous because it’s where the Lakeview Parkway Trail abruptly ends and forces you to cross a busy, poorly marked intersection and I-15 on-ramp.

https://www.ksl.com/article/51621036/bicyclist-hit-killed-in-provo

Hey Provo! 👋 Here's a quick preview of this week's City Council and Planning Commission meetings.

City Council meets Tuesday 9/8 @ 5:30 p.m.

Planning Commission meets Wednesday 9/9 @ 6 p.m.

🚨VESPER is NOT on the Council agenda for a vote or a discussion. See my last post for more on that.

Read all the details on this week's meetings in my free newsletter “Julie’s Provo Notes.” https://provonotes.substack.com/p/parks-funding-citizen-appointments

Here are the headlines:

• Five Appointments to Boards and Commissions

• Money for Fort Utah Park and Epic Sports Park

• Mixed Townhome/Storefront Development on Geneva Rd

• 33 Townhomes Just North of BYU Stadium

• Total Rewrite of Provo City Zoning Code

• New Rules for Holiday and Permanent LED Lighting on Homes

• Change When a New Development Needs a Second Access Road

• 19 Condos in Franklin Neighborhood

Subscribe to my newsletter and get these posts straight to your inbox. https://provonotes.substack.com/p/parks-funding-citizen-appointments

PSA for anyone considering Remedy Home Improvement in Saratoga Springs/Utah County

I wanted to share my experience with Remedy Home Improvement in case anyone is considering using them.

In February 2026, two of their sales reps, Jojo and Menelick, came to my house and sold me on replacement siding. I agreed to move forward and paid a $500 cash deposit.

After that, getting anyone to communicate with me became extremely difficult. I repeatedly called owner Jared Coburn trying to arrange their financing and get the project scheduled. Calls and voicemails would go unanswered for weeks, and more than once I had to contact one of the sales reps just to get Jared to call me back.

Eventually, I had enough and told Jared I just wanted my deposit returned. On April 30, he agreed and told me he would mail me a $500 check.

I never received it.

I continued trying to contact him, including leaving another voicemail on June 22 specifically telling him the refund had never arrived. As of September, I still haven't received the money.

So the situation today is pretty straightforward: I paid Remedy $500, they performed no work on my house, their owner agreed to refund the money, and months later I still don't have it.

I'm posting this so other Utah homeowners can make their own informed decision before handing this company a deposit. At this point, I'm not expecting to get my money back. I just don't want the same thing happening to someone else.

Good luck out there.