From Deseret News archives:
4 members of council plan to vote for skybridge
Four members of the Salt Lake City Council told the Deseret Morning News on Friday they plan to vote in favor of allowing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to build a skybridge as part of its $1.5 billion City Creek Center downtown development.
Council members Jill Remington Love, Carlton Christensen, Eric Jergensen and Van Turner each said they believe the LDS Church and its development partners have met the requirements set by the council a year ago and that they plan to acknowledge that with an affirmative vote.
A fifth favorable vote is likely from council newcomer JT Martin.
"It appears (the developers) have met the criteria," Martin said. "I think the evidence is stacking in favor of a positive vote from me."
In April 2007, the council approved amendments to the city's master plan to permit skybridges under certain circumstances. The criteria created by the council was designed to ensure that the development promotes a vibrant downtown with an emphasis on pedestrian traffic.
The council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether those conditions have been met.
In some cases, a favorable vote will require putting personal preferences aside.
Martin, who wasn't a member of the council when the master plan was amended, said he would have voted against the skybridge then, but now faces a much different decision.
"I don't like the bridge, I don't want the bridge and I wouldn't have voted for the bridge," he said. "But that's not what I'm voting on. I'm voting on whether (the developers) have met the criteria or not."
Soren Simonsen, the lone member of the council to vote against amending the master plan, remains opposed to the skybridge from an urban design perspective but described himself as "firmly in the undecided category" on Tuesday's vote.
"I think they're pretty close (to meeting the criteria), and they may even be there," Simonsen said.
First-year Councilman Luke Garrott also has said he believes the developers have made a strong case that they've satisfied the requirements, though personally he's opposed to multi-block, mega-development projects.
Love said she would prefer a unanimous vote of the council Tuesday because it's such a significant decision for Salt Lake City.
Recent comments
I still think the skybridge is a poor urban planning idea: the bridge...
Susan | April 6, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.
I sarcastically laughed at the comment that the sky bridge will block...
Gary | April 5, 2008 at 3:15 p.m.
I don't get how this will block the view of the mountains. Don't the...
Jon | April 5, 2008 at 12:45 p.m.
- 2 stranded hikers rescued 1:40 p.m.
- Belichick stands by decision 1:38 p.m.
- Adding truth serum to her cereal 1:37 p.m.
- Ex-Marine recruiter pleads guilty 1:37 p.m.
- Of naps, babies, and winter holidays 1:36 p.m.
- Mom seeks to remodel motherhood 1:33 p.m.
- Breastfeeding as weight loss plan 1:32 p.m.
- Food fight? Nah, I'll just wait 1:31 p.m.
- Groups to tackle invasive plants 1:30 p.m.
- Commo cold foiled vaccine test? 1:30 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
214 - Will state consider gay rights law?
156 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
110 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
93
American Express says it's not going to be a closed-wallet holiday for...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
Who cares what that blow-hard, over-the-top, hateful egoist Ms. Rand had to say?
You folks that are not happy with Bronco. You are right and utah should get...
Our founding fathers could have easily mandated a national religion. They...
Well, the UN can focus on non-issues like this since it can't accomplish...
Actually the majority of Americans voted in Obama on the platform of 'he's...
Clarification: BYU: Ranked in the top twenty by college coaches and...
It is definitely in the "minority" You can be a "sloanaholic" but I want to...
Collect and freeze as genetically diverse bluefin fertilized ova as possible....
So good of you to sign on as Anonymous.....sure tells us who and what you...
Anne, you deserved it! You've kept me in stiches for years!

