The uproar over where to put a public-safety complex has turned into a whisper.

A month after Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker backed off a controversial proposal to build the complex on Library Square, there were only words of support as the City Council held its last public hearing on the matter Tuesday.

"This project got off to a pretty rough launch," said John Becker, a member of the library board. "I think it's heading for a smooth landing."

John Becker and a handful of others offered their support for the mayor's new top choice for an emergency-operations center and public-safety headquarters.

Last week, the mayor formally recommended building the $125 million complex on the Barnes Bank block — bordered by 400 South, 500 South, 300 East and Blair Street — to the east of the award-winning Salt Lake City Library.

"You're never going to make everyone happy with a decision," Becker said. "But we've certainly done our homework."

The city has options on three properties along 300 East and would complete the purchases if a proposed bond issue passes, an official said.

The decision whether to place the $125 million bond issue on the November ballot now lies with the council. A vote could come July 14.

After watching a $192 million bond issue for a public-safety complex fail by a few hundred votes in 2007, council members will have a number of factors to consider in deciding whether to move forward with a bond election this year.

The bond's passage would mean a $75.03 tax bump on homes valued at $260,890 and a $136.42 hike on businesses valued at $260,890.

Some council members expressed concerns that a low voter turnout in November could kill the bond's chances of passing.

In the meantime, the city will have to wait until the end of the 2010 legislative session to hear if the state will partner on the project, cutting the complex price tag. City leaders also remain in discussion with Salt Lake County about the possibility of sharing building space with the district attorney's office.

Councilman Luke Garrott, who represents the Central City neighborhood, said he worried the complex might not provide year-round value to the area.

"I really want this to be an asset not only in times of emergency, but year-round," Garrott said. The building needs an "aesthetic integrity that makes it an asset to the neighborhood 365 days a year."

Council members also discussed the need to build a Liberty Precinct in Sugar House to limit the number of uniformed officers near the library.

It was a sentiment that upset Councilman JT Martin on Tuesday night.

"To almost act ashamed that we're going to have a police headquarters and a fire headquarters close to us, I just don't understand it," Martin said. "We've asked them to protect us … and yet we don't want them in our community."

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