Salt Lake Redevelopment Agency puts off Gallivan makeover decision

The Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday delayed final approval of Gallivan Plaza's multimillion-dollar makeover.

The RDA put off a vote until July after wrestling with whether to put a two-story building, which would house support services and restrooms, along 200 South.

"We do not want the building there," said Brenda Scheers, one of a half-dozen people to address the RDA board of directors during a public hearing. "It is not the rear of Gallivan Plaza. It is the face of Gallivan Plaza."

Still, others said the building would help frame the urban center.

"The original concept was to create Salt Lake City's downtown living room," said Mickey Gallivan, the son of the center's namesake. "By putting that building on 200 South, it really does finish the block. It creates a visual line encasing the entire living room and it provides a more intimate atmosphere for the interior of the block."

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department also supported building on the street. Large crowds during summertime events would stop pedestrian flow if restrooms were located near the rear of the center's stage, said spokesman James Bennett. A building might also absorb sound, which would mitigate noise complaints the health department receives — some coming from as far away as 9th Avenue.

The Salt Lake City Council, acting as the RDA board of directors, appeared split between two design options Tuesday.

Both plans would double the size of the amphitheater and add a hard-surface dance floor in front of the stage. The "failed" aviary would also be removed.

The ice rink would be expanded by 65 percent, placed at grade and covered with a canvas shade, which would make it a usable space for summertime events.

In the first option, a support services building would be placed on 200 South. In the second option, support services would be added on to the existing stage building.

Keeping the 200 South frontage open would make the plaza more inviting, said Councilman Luke Garrott.

"I still want the space to work as a city park," Garrott said. "It's not just about programming. If you can't see into a park, you don't feel safe."

That option, however, could run 30 percent to 50 percent more than the original $5.8 million price tag, said Thomas Brennan of EDA Architects. The additional costs would come from the remodel of the stage building and a remake of the western half of the plaza.

EDA will present a revamped option to the RDA next month.

E-MAIL: afalk@desnews.com