Downtown Rising: Vision of what S.L. might become is unveiled

Six community districts, eight "signature projects" and one big vision.

The Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance unveiled their vision for Utah's capital city Tuesday, a blueprint connecting mountains and metropolis, communities and cultures, residents and guests.

"This is one of the most exciting endeavors I've been involved with in my life," said Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie. "What is Salt Lake City going to be in the next 30 to 40 years? What could it be?"

The Downtown Rising plan, finalized nearly a year after its kickoff in May 2006, and after considering thousands of public comments and interviews, seeks to answer those questions.

However, Beattie said, it is not a mandate. It isn't a bossy document, dictating changes the city should make, who should make them or when. Rather, Beattie said, Downtown Rising is a "big picture" vision of what the city might become.

"This is a living plan. That's why it's not a planning document," Beattie told the Deseret Morning News editorial board Monday. "It's living. It's a vision. It's something that's going to help drive some synergies and yet it very clearly articulates what our capital city ought to be to our state."

The plan was presented to the Salt Lake County and city councils Tuesday. A public event, including Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and community and business leaders, was scheduled for this morning at the Gallivan Center.

Salt Lake County Councilman Jeff Allen said he liked what he heard.

"I think it's very forward thinking, thinking about the next generation, to be honest," Allen said at the council's meeting Tuesday. "And it allows a lot of flexibility."

The plan includes the designation of six "character" districts, eight priority projects and suggestions for transportation, building and development.

Each of the six districts proposed in the plan encompasses a general geographic area and has a certain "feel." The Broadway District, for example, finds its center around 300 South and is identified by its focus on the arts, entertainment and hospitality, while the Temple Square District is quieter and more contemplative and centers around The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Salt Lake Temple, office complex and educational facilities.

The chamber's vice president of policy, Natalie Gochnour, quickly added that the boundaries of the districts aren't rigidly defined. Nor are the boundaries of downtown Salt Lake City, for the purposes of Downtown Rising. The plan includes, and emphasizes the benefits of, the University of Utah, for example.