The Salt Lake City Housing Authority would help those residents find new housing if the buildings were torn down. Executive director Rosemary Kappes said it can be a good thing to tear down bottom-barrel housing stock to build better digs. That way those who are living in the buildings, which features single bedrooms for residents who share a bathroom on one floor, can possibly be moved to nicer addresses.

"A lot of people in the community get upset because this housing is going to be changing, but sometimes it's good if the housing changes into something better," she said.

The RDA Board approved a deal to purchase the State Street buildings in 2002 and has been paying for the properties in installments since then. Oka said he expects to gain the title in the next few days.

Anderson and Oka have talked about putting out a request for proposals from local developers. Of course, that request would have to be approved by the City Council before it was put out to developers, and that approval is no sure thing.

Jergensen said he will be glad to consider any formal proposal the mayor makes concerning student housing and debate its merits.

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