From Deseret News archives:

2007 election questionnaire — Luke J. Garrott

Published: Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 12:03 a.m. MDT
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• Plans for the LDS Church's City Creek Center development call for a skybridge across Main Street to connect shopping areas on the second level of the outdoor mall. The City Council amended the city's master plan to allow for such projects to be considered. What is your opinion of skybridges in general and specifically for the City Creek project? If elected, will you support the skybridge being built?

Given all the quality input that goes into master plans, I advocate implementing them. As far as skybridges go, many other cities are taking theirs down, and they are explicitly designed to keep people off the street. That's bad urban planning and contrary to the vision I would like to see implemented downtown.

• 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?

We need to follow through with promises made for an arts district (in the deal that sent the soccer stadium to Sandy). I want to catalyze this theater district with a restaurant/club district. Let's revitalize Main Street as a pedestrian-oriented, authentic Salt Lake experience that people won't be able to get anywhere else.

• A Dan Jones & Associates survey commissioned by Salt Lake City showed that 78 percent of city residents say Pioneer Park should be renovated to become a more welcoming place. How do you propose to accomplish that?

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1. Fund the police officers to have a 24/7 presence. There is already a police substation at the park — let's utilize it to its full potential and keep officers visible there at all times.

2. Have a dramatic inauguration of the new crime suppression policy. The increased police activity reported recently in the Deseret News needs to be sustained.

3. Continue public investment in the park, focused on neighborhood uses. I support enhancements that improve the Farmers Market but which also attract neighborhood residents. We have a historic opportunity to remake the park in ways that creatively engage its pioneer history and its future as an urban neighborhood park. We have plenty of examples from other American cities which have rescued parks from crime and neglect, and I will work with the neighborhood residents, the city parks department and other stakeholders in crafting this future.

4. House more of the homeless, the majority of whom are not part of the criminal element that are making the park unlivable and dangerous but are indirectly enabling that element.

• Why should voters choose you over your opponent to represent District 4 on the Salt Lake City Council?

I offer proactive vision and a collaborative leadership style that will well serve District 4 on the council. I tell people that they're voting not just for one vote on the council but a new majority that will be able to make a lot of progress with the new mayor. I come without the baggage that has impeded successful coalition-building during my opponent's tenure and pledge to inaugurate a new era of good government and visionary leadership if I'm elected.

Recent comments

I am LDS and a former student of Professor Garrott. In fact, I had...

David Rubert | March 11, 2008 at 1:57 a.m.

My husband owns a business in district 4. At least Luke Garrott has...

anon | Nov. 2, 2007 at 10:26 p.m.

As a student who also had Luke Garrott as a professor and who is also...

Also Concerned | Nov. 1, 2007 at 5:09 p.m.

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