"I'm hopeful that this means that they are far enough along in the process that they are ready to show some plans," she said.

Of what Saxton has seen, the church plans to make Crossroads Plaza mall two stories and then put housing on top of it.

The mayor's statement did not say all of Anderson's concerns were met, and there may be ongoing sticking points, especially a potential sky bridge. Some have suggested the church might want such a bridge to connect its two downtown malls.

The mayor's office has remained opposed to such a sky bridge, which it says will steal vibrancy from the city's streets.

Church leaders and their private partners, including shopping center developers the Taubman Co., have said the project will likely contain some 900 housing units and upscale retail outlets including Nordstrom. There will also be office space.

The estimated $500 million redevelopment project was announced two years ago after the church bought Crossroads Plaza mall on Main Street downtown. The church already owned the ZCMI Center mall which, along with Crossroads, has seen some decline in recent years.

The church has announced plans to renovate the two malls and bring a Brigham Young University extension center downtown.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com