From Deseret News archives:
Skybridge plan moves toward approval
After five hours of hashing out the pros and cons of a skybridge and hearing from a dozen residents about evenly split between support for and opposition to the bridge commissioners voted 6-1 to recommend amending the downtown master plan to make allowances for a skybridge.
The skybridge is part of a proposal by Taubman Centers Inc., working with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to renovate two downtown blocks into a 20-acre retail, residential and office complex known as City Creek Center.
Taubman officials have said the second-story cross-street walkway is vital to making the project successful, the most efficient way of channeling shoppers past upper- and lower-level shops.
But two downtown planning documents a 1990 master plan and a 1995 urban-design document are at odds with the skybridge. They call for the city to prevent walkways that would keep pedestrians off city streets and would block views.
Main Street, with its view of Ensign Peak, is specifically named in the documents.
Taubman officials say the skybridge would not discourage activity on Main Street. Shops and restaurants will front both sides of Main, drawing pedestrians up and down the street before they cross to the other side.
Without a skybridge, it would be hard for second-story retailers to survive, Taubman vice president Ron Loch said Wednesday.
Salt Lake Chamber president Lane Beattie said the draw of the new shopping center "the opportunity to bring more people into downtown than we ever have" will enliven Main Street.
And a skybridge can be designed in such a way that it frames the view of Ensign Peak rather than obstructing it, the developers say. They have shown commissioners photographs from different vantage points on Main Street with a mostly glass skybridge superimposed and the peak still visible.
Mayor Rocky Anderson has been an adamant opponent of the skybridge, though earlier this week he said he has "softened" that stance recently. Still, he wants the commission and council to hold off on making decisions until a more involved public process can play out.
But the church's representatives Wednesday handed out a list of 60 print, radio and TV news stories detailing different aspects of the City Creek Center plan and public meetings at which the developers have presented elements of the plan.
Many of those reports and presentations have dealt with subjects other than the skybridge.
The church provided a summary of the online public comment process, which has brought in 980 comments on the development plans. Only 42 comments have opposed the skybridge, according to the church's numbers.
The city's planning division has recommended the commission approve the plan amendments, though deputy director Doug Wheelwright said the staff has taken no position on the City Creek skybridge specifically.
E-MAIL: dsmeath@desnews.com
Comments
- NBA roundup: Garnett nearly perfect 11:06 p.m.
- No. 8 West Virginia wins 76 Classic 11:02 p.m.
- Timberwolves end 15-game skid 11:00 p.m.
- Nets match worst start 10:58 p.m.
- Hopi hotel showcases Arizona tribe 10:51 p.m.
- Cache County grants permit 10:50 p.m.
- Photos of the week, Nov. 29 10:50 p.m.
- NHL roundup: Defensemen lead Ducks 10:49 p.m.
- Overton's late heroics lead Huskies 10:45 p.m.
- Kings top Hornets 112-96 10:44 p.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
859 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - BYU is champion of the state
136 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Max Hall issues apology
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
I was on the plane. We were definitely on the runway, ergo, it was a runway...
The apology was perfect. He explained that his rants were really reflected...
or justification?
That is because Kyle Beckerman is amazing.
What was said was wrong, i am sure utes are not perfect,all your whining will...
I was a Y fan at last years game and I could not believe how classless a vast...
Both sides are pathetic in this. It is so awful that people can lower...
Why respond to a non-apology? Concerning Coach's wife, you mean Coach...
Wah wah wah wah wah wah Get over everything ever said or ever done and we'll...
Just like Max Hall's comments were classy. Please both schools need to stop...



You can be the first to comment on this story.