Aquarium lease is extended to Nov. 15

The City Council, acting Thursday as the city's Redevelopment Agency Board, extended the aquarium's lease with Salt Lake City until Nov. 15.

By then, aquarium advocates will either need to persuade Salt Lake County voters to approve a $30 million bond or raise $5.6 million privately. If neither of those conditions is met, the city's RDA Board will have another opportunity to end its contract with the aquarium.

The city could have ended its contract with the aquarium Thursday because the Living Planet failed to meet its March fund-raising goal. The aquarium raised only $1.8 million of the $2.5 million it needed to reach the goal. The goals were established by the RDA to make sure the aquarium keeps on track toward the $47 million it needs to begin construction in 2007.

The RDA has given the aquarium a free lease on land the agency owns on 500 West between 300 and 400 South. Aquarium President Brent Andersen was pleased with the vote. He said the aquarium would not work in the suburbs and there aren't any other options available downtown.

Once again, Councilman Dale Lambert cast the lone vote against extending the aquarium's lease. Lambert said the aquarium has little chance of success and is taking potential donations away from other projects, like a potential $45 million revamp of the old Utah Theater on Main Street and several other public-private partnerships under way in Salt Lake City.

Aquarium advocates are seeking to get Salt Lake County leaders to place a $30 million bond on November's ballot. Before Thursday's vote, the council read a letter from County Council Chair Steve Harmsen who said while the county wouldn't put the issue on the ballot this year, it would possibly consider it for next year.

RDA Board members said they wouldn't wait until next year. Aquarium board member and former Congresswoman Enid Greene said aquarium advocates would press the county to place the issue on the ballot this year.

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