Like its neighbors along the Wasatch Front, Highland is being descended upon by construction crews.

Building projects scheduled in the next year include a new medical facility, an office building and completion of Lone Peak High School. But with the growth come a few growing pains.Highland resident Jim Watkins presented a petition at Tuesday's City Council meeting asking that the city provide greater safety for the pedestrian traffic that will be created along 4800 West once the high school is completed.

"I've talked to many parents that are concerned for their kids," said Watkins.

Mayor Ed Scott said that the city appropriated funds to make safety improvements. The city will widen the shoulder and provide a walkway for pedestrians. The City Council also plans to pursue state funding and petition the Utah Department of Transportation to change its development plans.

Current plans allow for improvement of 4800 West in the year 2000 as the third phase of highway improvement. The second phase will be road improvements between the LDS Mount Timpanogos Temple and the new high school. Funds for this phase become available in October.

The City Council would like to see the order of the phases reversed so that northern 4800 West is improved first. Scott said he would like to lobby for the change using letters and petitions.

The City Council also gave final approval this week for construction to begin on a retail/office building within the shopping center at the Four Corners intersection. This building was in the original plan for the development but was waiting for the stamp of approval to begin construction.

Groundbreaking took place Wednesday for a new Intermountain Health Care medical building in the Four Corners area. The new facility will be on the southeast corner, across the street from Kohler's Food Town. It will house four physicians and 12 exam rooms.

Until the facility is completed, the closest medical help for residents of Highland is in American Fork.

Dr. Jack Cox, medical director for the southern urban region of IHC, said at the groundbreaking that the facility would provide "state-of-the-art, preventative health care."

Scott said that growth in the Highland area is unusual. "We don't have a lot of groundbreakings here. The only one I remember is for Kohler's."

"The city leaders have . . . expressed their desire to have us a part of their community. With the phenomenal growth in the north end of the county we feel this will be a tremendous benefit to the community," said Kim Nielsen, assistant administrator, IHC Urban South Region.

Construction for the medical center will begin this month, with a completion date set for mid-September.

The city also envisions future growth for the extended Four Corners area.

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The City Council has agreed to hire a planner to design what is being called the "town center concept."

Scott said this will turn the shopping center into a gathering place for the community. Plans potentially include a post office, museum, library and park.

"It's not a matter of when the city expects to complete it, just a matter of when it makes sense to do it," Newman said. "I think it's going to be a good asset."

The town center will essentially encourage the development of a small town while trying to preserve the nature of Highland, Newman said.

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