Among them would be looking into ways to make use of a citywide study of historical areas currently under way. The study, expected to be finished in about a year, will point out areas that need protection as historic, and Simonsen wants to be ready with ways to respond if the Granite block is named one of those historic areas.

The council was generally receptive to the idea, and it will be addressed in more detail at a future meeting.

Simonsen also wants the city to consider aiding local businesses currently on the block with loans or grants that would help them reopen on the block once it is redeveloped.

He said "various elements" of that idea will be presented to the council in the coming months.

Councilman Dave Buhler said money similarly doled out in the past was typically to help offset city action, such as light-rail construction work, so the idea in this case might be a little unusual. Still, he said he was supportive of the concept.

"Sugar House is vital, not just to the neighborhood but to our city," Councilman Eric Jergensen said, adding the city will find ways to protect it.

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