Provo seeks ideas to revive downtown

PROVO — The Provo City Council has hired temporary, part-time help to carry out its intent statement to revitalize downtown.

The statement is one of 10 resolutions passed during recent budget hearings that give the council more power to appropriate tax dollars. The resolutions dictate the timing and method of spending and include guidelines for the council and Mayor Lewis K. Billings to work together and with city departments.

The six-month, $30,000 contract went to Carol Walker, who is active in downtown issues, America's Freedom Festival and Provo arts, said Councilwoman Sherrie Hall Everett.

Walker will work with the Downtown Alliance and the city's branding initiative, Everett said. The council also gave her the task of researching how the council can best revitalize the business district, which in recent days has focused on Center Street, to create policy for the city administration to carry out.

The $30,000 comes from the already-approved downtown budget, Everett said.

— Rodger L. Hardy