Reader comments
Buhler, Becker tackle downtown

I say build the sky bridge. I don't want to have to cross that street to get to the shops on the other side. It's a safety issue, and it a major pain to cross the street with cars and Trax going by. I have kids, and I would feel better going down there if there was a sky bridge.

I don't know how many times I have been downtown and have seen people cross Main St., and the Trax line, without using the designated cross walks. With the increased amount of foot traffic, there will be an increased amount of people getting hit by cars, and Trax, if the Sky Bridge isn't built.

So, if anything else, I think the Sky Bridge needs to be built for safety reasons. Also, even if they build the bridge, it will still bring more foot traffic to Main St. than what they have now. I don�t think the arguments against the bridge are really valid.

If Becker thinks the skybridge is such a bad idea, why has he he not held a clear and vocal position on it? Seems like he has been trying to skirt the issue.

Ditto the sentiments of the others. Build the skybridge and let's get on with more important matters for our City!

Build it. And it would be nice if debate could not be so consumed by the topic of liquor laws. Talk about something important.

Where's the evidence that building a skybridge will reduce the amount of foot traffic in downtown? This is an absolutely ridiculous argument put out by Mayor Anderson as a ploy to disrupt the improvements made by the LDS church. In fact, if any other organization was involved in the improvements, Rocky would be all for the skybridge. It makes sense to me now why Rocky backs Becker. Why he's still holding on to this harebrained theory is beyond me.

Come on get, with the program! Build the bridge and get on with more important matters.

The sky bridge argument is so stupid! If I'm on the second level and I want to cross to the other side, I'll use the sky bridge. If I'm on the street level, I'll cross the street. It's really a no brainer!

It's too bad the LDS Church isn't in the position of being able to say to Salt Lake City, 'Look, you have two options' Option #1. If we can build a skybridge we will invest $1.5Billion into downtown Salt Lake City creating beautiful shopping districts, green space, office and residential towers. That's one thousand five hundred "MILLIONS". Option #2. If we can not build a skybridge then we will not spend a single dime. How much time would then be spent talking about this stupid issue?

The purpose of the skybridge from the perspective of those who want to make money on the project is that it keeps patrons in their project. The connection created by the bridge turns the project into more of a typical mall than something that can contribute to main street. Patrons can, and likely will, park in the underground parking take an elevator into the enclosed areas of the development, cross the skybridge to the other side, and leave without ever stepping a foot onto a public street.

I'm glad at least Fred understands the trouble with skybridges...

Jason, you can keep your kids and your fear of crossing a two lane street down in Utah County...

Fred is correct about the purpose of the skybridge, safety is certainly not what developers are most concerned about. But may I suggest that the skybridge be built in such a way that it is ICONIC, and adds to downtown. If it is OPEN AIR then it would actually add people to the Main Street scene rather than protecting them from it. If the bridge is designed so well that it becomes a landmark, then in 50 years when we're tearing down the City Creek center for redevelopment the bridge may be the one thing we preserve.