2007 election questionnaire — Nancy Saxton

The City Creek development will significantly influence the direction of downtown Salt Lake City. It must interact and enhance the rest of downtown. It sets the tenor for walkability in the whole of downtown. The design needs to enhance the Main Street experience by encouraging pedestrians to meander and stroll in and out of our new and existing business and retail on Main Street. City Creek's outside design must meet and enhance the porous transparency of existing downtown retail streetscape.

In my opinion, the decision on the skybridge has everything to do with the design of the project. After the plans are presented and signed off by the administration, then the Planning Commission will critique the design, require any changes and approve the final plans. It is at that point that the City Council will be presented the City Creek plan. If all of the master plan design guidelines and elements are satisfied and if the open space is maintained, then I would be in favor of permitting a skybridge.

• The City Creek Center development is seen as a significant step toward the revitalization of downtown Salt Lake City. What other steps need to be taken to achieve that goal?

There are many titillating ideas for downtown Salt Lake City. Art, culture and entertainment are an obvious must. It's the specifics that are a daunting challenge. I am supportive of an arts and culture block. Locating them in one local block is to everyone's advantage. An obvious block is where the Capitol Theatre is located. Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency have already successfully partnered to buy property on this block to start moving forward. This partnership will reach out to the state of Utah and private investment for an establishment of an art and culture block.

More housing in the downtown area has added significantly to the vitality of Salt Lake City. As an entertainment district is established, zoning will need to be progressive for the entertainment while being protective of the residential areas. Our history, streetscape, historical buildings, clean air, breathtaking vistas, safe and walkable environments must always take top billing to any development ideas in our downtown.

Establishing a multi-ethnic district will give homage to our multi-ethnic roots and citizens. Continuing the festivals, parades and special events in downtown is always a special draw.