As soon as this summer, if plans proceed as tentatively scheduled, Mecham said the bulk of the buildings — from 2144 S. Highland to the corner, and then down about 150 feet — will be demolished to make way for upscale condominiums, office space and street-level retail. The buildings will be five or six stories tall.

Demolition and construction will be staged from the inside of the block, not from the street, so Mecham said traffic disruption in the area should be minimal.

From start to finish, Mecham said the redevelopment ideally will take 12 to 18 months.

"I just think it's time," he said. "I think that the property value isn't being maximized right now. ...

"I could sell it, and I've had many people offer to buy it. But I've opted not to do that because I like Sugar House. I feel a part of Sugar House. I've worked here for 30 years, and my grandfather owned property there before I came along. So I have a vested interest in Sugar House. I think it's a great place to work and live."

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