Call it Ralph Becker's "Blueprint for an Inauguration."

Becker will be sworn in as Salt Lake City's 34th mayor alongside new City Council members JT Martin and Luke Garrott and third-term Councilman Van Turner at noon Monday on the east steps of the Salt Lake City-County Building, 451 S. State.

Following nine laborious months of grass-roots campaigning to get elected and then another two taxing months assembling his city administration, Becker calls Monday's event a chance to finally take some time to celebrate.

"It's really been only through the preparations for the inauguration that I have experienced the kind of excitement for a day and a set of events like this," he said.

The ceremony kicks off an afternoon of events that reflect Becker's vision for Utah's capital city, presented as "blueprints" during his campaign to succeed two-term Mayor Rocky Anderson.

After being sworn in as mayor, Becker will host a ribbon cutting for two visual-art exhibits in the gallery on the first floor of the City-County Building. Increasing and promoting artists' work downtown is one of the goals Becker listed in his "Blueprint for Neighborhoods and Gathering Places."

"Entrada," a collaboration of photographer and Salt Lake City native Bruce Hucko and David Lee, Utah's first poet laureate, will join a group show of work by Salt Lake nature photographers. The exhibits will remain open to the public through January.

At 2:30 p.m. Monday, Becker will be joined by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, representatives from TreeUtah and Salt Lake City urban forester Bill Rutherford for a tree-planting ceremony on the southwest corner of Washington Square.

Part of Becker's "Blueprint for a Green City" promises the implementation of a citywide tree-preservation and planting program and working with businesses and residents throughout Salt Lake County to help double the county's tree canopy. An increased tree canopy, Becker said, is part of his long-term plan to mitigate air pollution and enhance the community.

Third- and fourth-grade students from the Open Classroom Charter School will perform a song during the tree-planting event.

"Having the arts exhibits and the tree planting are certainly reflective of things that are important to me and I think important to the city," Becker said.

The public inauguration celebration wraps up with a meet-the-new-mayor gathering on the second floor of the City-County Building. From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Salt Lake City residents and city staff will have a chance to shake hands and chat with Becker.

Parking for the free event is available at the Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South. Motorists can enter the parking structure from 400 South, and the first hour of parking is free.

Free parking for people with disabilities is available at designated metered spaces on 200 East between 400 South and 500 South.

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