The Rocky years — Anderson ends 8 eventful, contentious years as Salt Lake's mayor

The mayor proposed an estimated $4 million makeover to Pioneer Park in an effort to draw more visitors and shake the label as a haven for crime and drug use. The City Council, however, didn't share that vision and would not allocate the full funding.

"It could have and should have been done," he said. "We certainly pushed vigorously for years to get the council's support."

The mayor and the City Council often found themselves at loggerheads during Anderson's administration. The relationship got off to a shaky start when, three months into his first term, Anderson issued three executive orders — prohibiting discrimination against city employees based on sexual orientation; encouraging the hiring of a diverse city work force; and forbidding all city employees to accept gifts of any value.

Council members bristled over the unilateral action and sought advice of the city attorney on the legality of the executive orders. A year later, Anderson agreed to modify the orders to make clear that they are not intended to conflict with or supersede city ordinance, state law or federal law.

The mayor and City Council later locked horns over the Great Salt Lake Mall, which Anderson calls "the sprawl mall," proposed in 2000 to be built west of the airport. Then there was Anderson's involvement in the fight to stop construction of the Legacy Highway, during which the council distanced itself from Anderson's fight, as well as the controversy surrounding the Main Street Plaza.

"It seemed almost from the beginning, when I would stand firm on certain issues, some (council members) seemed to make it a personal issue," Anderson said. "I was really taken aback by some of the rather nasty and petty personal attacks that appeared in the press from statements made by particular City Council members."

Nancy Saxton, a member of the City Council who often clashed with Anderson throughout his eight years in office, sees things a little differently.

"I think this was a very capable City Council," said Saxton, who also is leaving office after two terms. "I think that we were ready, willing and able to work collaboratively, but it was not something that was valued by the administration."

City Councilman Carlton Christensen said he believes Anderson "created more divisions than were necessary," and that hindered initiatives moving forward. One of those, he said, is the need for a new public safety building to replace the outdated and unsafe headquarters for the city's police and fire departments.

Anderson's position against a proposed $192 million bond on the November ballot that would have paid for five new public safety structures at three locations is believed to be among the reasons the measure failed to curry favor with voters.

"For the time being, that building will be his legacy," Carlton Christensen said.

Future plans