S.L. isn't 'backsliding' on Unity Center project

The Deseret Morning News reported ("S.L. stalling on center, Alliance for Unity says," Deseret Morning News, May 10), that "the Alliance for Unity isn't happy" and that its members "are unified in their frustration over Salt Lake City's backsliding regarding the Unity Center." While the alliance is a respected partner in Salt Lake City's ongoing efforts to build the Sorenson Unity Center, its frustration is misplaced and its casting of blame upon Salt Lake City is unwarranted. Many of us who have worked long and hard on this project feel blindsided and confused by the alliance's recent attack, given that the alliance was fully aware of the challenges faced by the city in moving the project forward and in meeting its original opening date.

Since the time Salt Lake City and its public advisory committee completed the process that finalized the project scope and program partner list, the city has made formal presentations to the alliance at its meetings on three different occasions. These presentations were in addition to the monthly meetings Mayor Anderson attends as a member of the alliance, when he has always been available to address questions about the project. City staff most recently met with the alliance on March 14, 2005, and in that meeting provided a thorough update on the city's revised construction schedule and its efforts to negotiate agreements with partners, develop its business plan, and acquire additional property.

The Sorenson Unity Center project is moving forward and will become a reality. The city has never slowed its efforts nor retreated from its commitment to the Alliance for Unity and the donors who raised the funds to build and program the center. The city is cooperating fully with its funding partners, is providing progress reports whenever requested, and is fully meeting the program expectations established by the community that will use the center. Regrettably, the city will not meet its original goal of having the center open for public use by the end of 2005. Like many development projects that must work through funding, leasing and property acquisition challenges, the Sorenson Unity Center project has encountered numerous obstacles that have made the changes in schedule unavoidable. Those of us working on the Sorenson Unity Center have worked hard to overcome these challenges. The Sorenson Unity Center will evolve into a better facility as a result.

The public who will use the center and the donors who provided the funding expect city leaders to make the best planning and business decisions possible. Reducing risk, leveraging resources, maximizing value and creating synergies that reduce ongoing maintenance costs are necessary steps, even if working though the process takes additional time. The city has focused on all of these objectives.