Reader comments
S.L. OKs $6 million renovation for Gallivan Utah Center

Read the news! | 4:27 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This is typical government mentality, in a recession, no money, and they want to spend money on a renovation that may or mostly likely not be needed. The cities and state should not be starting any new projects until the economy becomes more stable and fundable. What good is a renovated building that a city can't afford to pay for overhead costs? Needed city serivices, police, fire, public offices, are being cut and closed buy the city yet the city has the funds to build sporting venues for private developers and business ventures. Where is the moral and responsible ethics in what they are doing? It's time for government to stop this short term mindset of operating a city government. They need to think long term, beyond a few years, and put tax funds in primary city services that are a necessity to city government operations.

To all the Whiners | 5:39 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This is to all the whiners who are crying about the LDS spending money on building temples, instead of helping the poor, or building homeless shelters.

Why are they spending $6 Million on a renovation of the Gallivan Center instead of helping Salt Lake's poor and homeless???

Jeff | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The poor and homeless can absorb everything you can throw at them and still take more. Same with basic services. But there's more to life than just surviving, even for the poor and homeless. Gallivan Plaza is one of the few places where arts and recreation events regularly draw enthusiastic crowds. The renovation plans are an excellent use of public funds.

Comments continue below

Get Real People!!! | 7:52 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

You voted for these people. They don't give a Hoot for what you think. The homeless and poor dont pay their taxes and for sure don't contribute to the betterment of the city. The Gallivan Center has become a gathering place for the homeless. with the large TV screen at KUTV it's the choice spot for all the Homeless and No one seems to care a one iota...Just stop by and see for your self. Be sure to bring change so you can start helping Salt Lake's Poor and homeless.

Ami | 8:07 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

You have got to be kidding me! I am a state employee who was just informed that my job will be terminated sometime this year, and yet they want to renovate the Gallivan Center? Come on Salt Lake, wake up!

Whiners? | 8:07 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

How do you put the LDS Church into this? This is a City Government decision. I do agree that this is really poor timing for the City to spend millions on a project that will benifit a small percentage of the population when budgets are being cut.
As for the Church: building temples and chapels for the growing membership is a responsibility for the members of the church. And please don't overlook the millions they spend on welfare programs and helping in disasters.

FM | 8:14 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Most of you are pathetic. First of all what arena has SLC funded lately, oh yeah they haven't. Secondly if you are talking about Sandy helping to fund Rio Tinto Stadium then do a little research before you complain. The money spent on that stadium is entirely from Transient hotel room taxes, which tax was set to expire and was simply extended. The law states that that particular tax must be used from promotional and tourist ventures, bringing visitors and promoting the state through television and events satisfies that purpose. That money could not be used for basic services purposes.

As for the Gallivan Center, the City RDA has it's own budget that is created from taxes levied on designated areas of the city and from developer fees in order to improve those areas and bring more people and business (thus more sales tax). Again this money is not available to be used for basic services and towards the general budget, yet the increased sales tax from the RDA ventures does go towards the general fund.

Educate yourself before you complain, you just look stupid otherwise.

Ema | 8:27 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I love the Gallivan Center, especially the summer concerts, but is this really an appropriate time to be doing this? Every day we see stories about cuts in budgets--particularly education--and yet there is money for non-essential renovations like this. Come on. I suppose one plus, though, is that it will provide some needed work for contractors and construction workers.

Concerned | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

FM is right. The money is RDA money that cant be used for any other purpose. Hopefully, Renovation will bring in more ta dollars at a time when the renovation of the malls has hurt the sales tax base. But if the money isnt used for this, it can only be used for anothe RDA project, or not be used at all.

utah rose | 9:30 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This is hardly the time to be renovating the Gallivan Plaza. Will you keep all the druggies away from the concerts in the summer? Will you be able to enforce it?

There are homeless drifting around that area all day, especially in the morning.

When I worked downtown a few years ago, I would cut through there and there were always security police there because you'd see some really strange people (maybe harmless) drifting around there.

With this economy, you should wait before all this fancy renovation. Another thing that will happen, with all of this construction downtown, there will be more sidewalks closed and accsess to sidewalks for pedestrian use.

I have seen them setting things up for concerts, events and such and sometimes you have to walk in the street to avoid all of the fenced areas.

I feel sorry for those also staying at the Marriott hotel with the noise of construction going on.

If you want wait another year, please do. There's enough there already with an ice rink and room for other events.

Jobs are needed | 9:30 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The recession is not a reason to stop developing our city. In fact, this kind of investment and spending is the only thing that will get us out of a recession. I'm excited to see an improved Gallivan, even though I cringe every time I pay for parking there.

The reason we are in a recession is because everyone is over-reacting and stopping everything. We need more people to act normally and start looking to the future.

re: Jeff | 9:33 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Very well said!

The only thing I'd add is that this type of facility also brings in a lot of money. Ask the cities that host bowl games.

downtown gal | 9:35 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

FM has it almost right, the RDA funds are generated from property tax increment,not an additional property or sales tax. There is no increased tax because of the RDA, it collects tax increment. As for the arguments that money is spent on the homeless, 20% of money generated by SLC RDA's goes to fund housing for all income levels including housing for the chronically homeless.

Concerned | 9:35 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

And another thing: this is the best time to let bids for consturciton work, because contractors are hungry and constructiton costs are 20 to 40% less than they were a year ago. It will be much cheaper to renovate now than wating until after the fedeal stimulus package drives up construction costs again.

6 million? | 9:52 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

How can they justify this at all. The money will go to a bunch of contractors that charge to much anyway and to union members who just sit on their butt the whole time. If we put the legislators to work we could do this for a lot less money.

We Wonder Why | 10:04 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

We wonder why our politicians won't listen to us.

It is because a majority of the general public do not understand, even one iota, about economics, tax distributions, RDA funds, finances, business, and market timing.

Who would want to hear ranting and raving about tax expenditures and projects from people who don't know how these systems work?

Educate yourselves before speaking or commenting. Then maybe our politicians will listen.

$6 million spent now on this project is a great expenditure for many reasons. Ask any economist, and they will tell you that spending on infrastructure and renewal projects are the best way to get out of a recession.

Thank you to Salt Lake's leadership for knowing what the general public does not understand.

Curtis | 10:25 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I love that people are chiming in even though they don't know how the process works.

The simple fact of the matter is the RDA already had these funds socked away. You will not be paying more taxes and the funds do not come out of the general budget - no roads will be neglected because of this project.

If anything this project will stimulate the economy to the tune of $6 million. Remember that when people or governments don't spend, cash does not flow and people don't have money to spend on other items.

This is not tax-and-spend politics, this is freeing up money that would otherwise sit in a bank and do nothing to benefit the community and the economy.

Chris | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Your tax money at work (or is it play?) What a crock! Put the money towards programs to help people get back into homes and jobs. You politicians amaze me--the gawl you have!

Why Are They Cutting Schools? | 10:40 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I must say I was shocked after reading many articles about ways that Utah will be cutting money intended for education, and how there is no more money to be had for schools. Well here is 6 million right here. I don't care if it comes from the RDA or not, let the legislators put the money were it is needed regardless of the fund from which it is intended.

mlanceash | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The Twilight Concert Series has become a free for all wher a lot of people who have no idea who the artist is come to be seen and preen. I haven't been for two years as it has become family un-friendly and is simply overcrowded. How about charging a minimum five dollars to get in. This could help offset the cost of renovation and keep the riff-raff out as perhaps they would rather not spend five dollars on an artist they are unaware of. Just a thought.

Cutting Schools | 11:08 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Re: Why Are They Cutting Schools?

Utah is a STATE government with a school budget. Salt Lake City is a CITY government with an entirely different budget, which probably has no school expenses.

Davis | 11:33 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The art bums whine and cry for ever more money from people who actually work at real jobs. Welfare whiners, all of them. If you need more money, do something to EARN it instead of constantly crying and begging.

Building | 12:04 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

A recession is the best time to build because construction costs are much lower than at other times and people need the jobs construction brings. We can get a lot further with the same $6 million now than we would if we waited a year or two for the economy to turn around. I'm all for government officials who want to make money go as far as possible.

WHY???? | 12:46 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Why are we spending time and money on this project? What a waste. Wasn't the Gallivan Center just built in 2002? Is nothing built with any foresight?

FM | 4:22 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Why?????
I sure hope that you are new to the city or state or are possibly younger than 20, because obviously you haven't spent ANY TIME in downtown. The Gallivan Center opened in 1993, so I think it's done a pretty good job of lasting nearly 16 years with no major upgrades. The fact that 16 years later it is still as popular as it is, is a testament to me that it's worth spending a little money (that can't be used for general budget of education) and show Gallivan and it's visitors a little love.

Again, like I said in my last comment. Do a little research before you sound like a moron in your comments.

Re: Why | 4:29 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The majority was built in 1993 with a few minor changes and additions added through 1998. So it's 10-16 years old. Is nothing researched before an uneducated comment it made?

PM | 1:21 a.m. Jan. 15, 2009

FM and you look like a staffer. Wake up. We are all struggling out here. Stop spinning and do something real.

FM | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 15, 2009

I'm not a staffer, I just understand how it works and how the money earmarked to be used. It is a great time to use the money that is already earmarked for improvements because constructions costs are going to be lower than they would be a year ago or in two years from now.

There is no spinning going on, I am just trying to explain why the money isn't being stolen from other services. I understand that people are having a hard time, I was unemployed for 6 months and was lucky to find my new job. I am trying to educate as to where the money is going so that people don't hate City Council for spending the money on the purposes it is earmarked for.

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