From Deseret News archives:
Salt Lake is urged to eliminate obstacles to development
The City Council on Thursday heard a report from Jeff Edwards, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. He has been working with a committee set up by Downtown Rising, a pro-revitalization project run by the Salt Lake Chamber, to study possible pitfalls to development and ways to encourage more development.
Edwards said many comments his group heard from developers and business leaders focused on the Redevelopment Agency, a city entity that loans money for renovation and new development based on projected tax revenues the project will bring. It is overseen by the City Council, acting as the RDA board.
"There is a predominant feeling that the (RDA) program is not well-suited to the users in some ways," Edwards said.
He said the board should keep a focus on being watchdogs of the public's money but that it should also take a proactive approach in encouraging businesses and potential developers to make use of RDA money to improve the area.
Councilwoman Nancy Saxton said she feels city leaders walk a fine line when it comes to offering RDA money or city incentives to businesses.
"It's become more expected than unusual for businesses to come and ask for money," she said, when many businesses are "fully capable of funding (projects) themselves through conventional means."
Edwards suggested coming up with creative ways the RDA can spur development, such as offering matching funds for businesses to do seismic upgrades of historic buildings that sit empty because they are not up to code.
He said his study also recommends the city improve its permitting process, which some developers have seen as slow and cumbersome. He suggested offering projects an expedited permitting process for higher fees.
Among other ideas Edwards offered: creation of a parking authority, allowing the city to take a more active role in improving parking availability; city assistance for small businesses' utility connection costs; and actively ensuring that Salt Lake is "seen as the capital city," reminding state officials that tourists drawn downtown will often also visit rural areas.
E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com
