Big-box offers $1 million windfall

Here's a trade Salt Lake City leaders may find too good to pass up: $1 million for open-space preservation in exchange for closing two small dead-end streets and an alley that few people use.

What makes the deal even more intriguing is that it comes from an unlikely source — a big-box retailer. And while much has been made about municipalities using taxpayer dollars to entice big boxes, this time the city is giving no incentive and it's actually the big box that will be funneling money into Salt Lake City's coffers if the council approves a plan to close a few nonessential back roads.

Lowe's home improvement wants to use the land for a new store and is willing to pay the city $1 million to get it.

Still, not all council members are entirely sold on the notion that the windfall should be set aside for open space. Some want the freedom to spend the money wherever it is needed most rather than have their hands forced into open space.

"I'm willing to look at it, but we certainly need to have the flexibility to spend that money," Councilman Eric Jergensen said. "It may be a good idea that we use it for open space, but I think there are many other requirements of the city — sidewalks, curb and gutter, lighting — that we may also look at as well."

While freedom is good, other City Council members are eager to find a permanent funding source for their beloved open-space fund, which voters approved putting $5 million into two years ago.

Councilwoman Nancy Saxton , who is generally loath to close even the smallest back alley in Salt Lake City, is floating a new ordinance that would funnel all revenue the city gains from the sale of streets and alleys into the open-space fund.

If such an ordinance is supported by the council, Saxton wants it passed quickly to take advantage of the $1 million Lowe's is offering the city to close a few small streets and an alley near 1300 South and 300 West.

Lowe's has assembled all the property on the southeast corner of 1300 South and 300 West and is seeking to put a new home improvement warehouse there. To make the warehouse and accompanying parking lot fit, Lowe's officials are asking the city to close and sell portions of two dead-end roads, California Avenue and Washington Street.

Since the city is losing some public property, it makes sense to put that money back into other public land that could be used by more people, Saxton said.

And some City Council members do seem more interested in making sure that cash is earmarked for open space than others.

"I'm intrigued by Nancy's idea on the open space," Councilwoman Jill Remington Love said.

Regardless of what they do with the money, City Councilman Dave Buhler said the city should welcome Lowe's and its $1 million windfall.

"This is a great opportunity for this city," he said.

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