Merchants huddle: They seek more details on Sugar House project

Merchants affected by a proposed redevelopment packed Sugar House Coffee Thursday, eager to discuss the fate of their businesses and a beloved shopping district.

At a morning meeting moderated by Salt Lake City Councilman Soren Simonsen, merchants expressed frustration at a lack of information regarding plans for the area — the block bordered by 2100 South, Highland Drive, Sugarmont Drive and McClelland Street — and a desire to do what they can to save their businesses and preserve the area.

"We have an identity here," said Cynthia Osmun, owner of Luna's Italian Ice cafe. "If they tear it down, the remnants of this neighborhood, we might as well be another Fort Union."

But with little information available about the proposed developments — there are multiple property owners on the block — Osmun and other Sugar House tenants were frustrated. Little at this point has been submitted to the city in the way of plans or permit applications, Simonsen said. Few know precisely what's in store, when it will happen, or what can be done to help businesses relocate when it does.

On Thursday, Simonsen proposed the formation of a public/private task force to track what's happening, look into what might be done to help merchants — such as redevelopment aid for relocation or assistance in finding new locations — and seek ways to minimize the economic and construction-related impacts of development.

City staffers will be in touch with interested businesses in the next few weeks, Simonsen said, and the task force likely would meet for the next six to 12 months, depending on need.

Martie Bond, owner of iPaw, a pet boutique located at 2146 S. Highland, said she will sign on for the task force.

"I'm new to Utah, but I know that Sugar House has always been a draw," Bond said. "It's just a fun place to be. So when I found that space (on Highland Drive), I was thrilled. It was the perfect spot — there's walk-by traffic, it's the center of the city, there's small businesses, and I wasn't going to be sandwiched in between two huge buildings with a Starbucks on the corner and an Urban Outfitters on the other side. It was perfect for what I wanted to do, and I put my whole life savings into it."

Bond says she doesn't want to move, but she's been forced to look for another location because the area will become more vacant in anticipation of demolition, then vacant again when the area becomes a construction zone, and then unavailable once the project is complete because rents will be too high.