However, a plurality of those whose habits had changed — 48 percent — named as their new favorite place to shop something other than the options listed by the pollster. Among the most popular "other" responses, former downtown shoppers are going to Sugar House, Valley Fair Mall, Wal-Mart, Costco, Brickyard Plaza, Cottonwood Mall, Foothill Village or the Internet to make their purchases.

Those who have left downtown for other shopping locales said more parking options might help. Asked whether more free parking would be enough to encourage them to return to downtown, 36 percent said it definitely would. Another 28 percent said it probably would. Twenty-nine percent said it probably or definitely would not.

The question did not specify whether the free parking would be in the form of lots, garages, meters or a combination. The idea of free metered parking in the city's central business district during construction is being promoted by mayoral candidate and Salt Lake County councilwoman Jenny Wilson, though it has been criticized by some observers.

House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, also a candidate for mayor, worries the idea would increase traffic congestion and air pollution in the city.

He points to the research of Donald Shoup, a University of California-Los Angeles urban planning professor who estimates 30 percent of traffic in central business districts nationwide is the result of people looking for curb parking.

That, he suggests, is a result of the relatively low prices of meters compared with lots and garages. Free meters would only worsen the problem, he writes.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com