S.L. looks to capitalize on rebounding economy

While construction in Utah's capital appears to have increased over the past two years, Salt Lake City still hasn't fully recovered from the construction decline it felt in the years following 2001.

Still, city leaders are encouraged by some construction gains and think the city might be turning the economic corner. And as construction moves ahead, Mayor Rocky Anderson's office, along with the City Council, figure now is a good time to go on the economic-recruitment offensive.

"It's definitely a sign the economy is turning around," said City Council Chairwoman Jill Remington Love.

A review of city building permit data from July to November of 2004 showed the city reviewed 140 construction plans in the five-month period. While that figure is an increase over the number of construction plans filed in 2002 and 2003, it is 16 percent fewer than the number of permits the city handled over the same five months in 2001.

But while construction plans have increased, the number of building permits the city issued during the five-month period in 2004 was fewer than in either 2000, 2001 or 2002.

Data aside, the City Council this week allocated $225,000 to fund new building permit processors and a new business recruitment campaign being launched by Anderson's office.

Whether the proactive campaign will succeed in revitalizing downtown or the city's economically challenged west side remains to be seen, but Anderson's Economic Development director, Alison McFarlane, successfully persuaded the City Council to spend $55,000 for the effort this week.

Still, some council members were leery about spending the money and want Anderson's office to come through by recruiting new businesses to Salt Lake City.

"I remember a few years ago . . . the mayor did a glossy brochure that he mailed out to several businesses, and I'm worried that we're repeating that, and I don't know if we got one business or lead," Councilman Dave Buhler said.

Councilman Eric Jergensen also expressed concerns, wondering if the new campaign was just the latest fad or a concerted business recruitment strategy.

"Is this a comprehensive effort or a stopgap?" he asked.

But McFarlane maintains the new campaign is a big step in turning around some of Salt Lake City's retail-challenged areas, such as downtown and the west side.

"It really enhances the effort," she said.