Salt Lake City Council bans smoking in Gallivan Center

Salt Lake City smokers will have a more difficult time finding refuge at the Gallivan Center.

Members of the City Council, in their capacity as the board of directors for the city's Redevelopment Agency, unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday to extend the citywide smoking policy to the outdoor plaza on the corner of 200 South and Main Street.

Smoking areas can be designated at the plaza, but not within 25 feet of bus stops or within 50 feet of gatherings of 100 or more people. Violators will be subject to a $25 fine.

In November, the Salt Lake City Council unanimously approved an ordinance banning smoking in city parks, trails, public spaces and mass gatherings. However, that policy didn't extend to the Gallivan Center because it's owned by the Redevelopment Agency, not the city.

Councilwoman Nancy Saxton brought the issue before the RDA board after seeing people smoking during a recent event at the Gallivan Center. Saxton said she wondered why the city ordinance wasn't being enforced and then realized it's an RDA park.

"I think it's good policy for enforcement and for the public for us to be consistent," she said.

Saxton was in favor of banning smoking throughout the Gallivan Center and not designating areas where plaza patrons could light up. Sidewalks surrounding the plaza are city property, she said, and it's not unreasonable to ask people who want to smoke to step out of the plaza to do so.

"I don't see any reasons for a smoking area," Saxton said. "I think it's a health hazard."

Councilwoman Jill Remington Love agreed, saying the Gallivan Center shouldn't be used as a smoking area for employees of neighboring office buildings.

"It's a public space for everyone, not just smokers on a break," Love said.

Gallivan Center director Talitha Day said it's important to have areas designated for smoking at the plaza, which hosts parties, weddings and other private gatherings.

"There are many nervous people at weddings," Day said. "I wonder where our father of the bride will be sneaking a cigarette before walking his daughter down the aisle. ... There should be some place (in the plaza) for them to go."

No-smoking signs will be placed throughout the plaza; areas where patrons are allowed to smoke also will be marked.

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