Comments about ‘Salt Lake City Council votes to move forward with theater’

I like the idea for downtown, but $18 just to DESIGN IT?

Are they going to pull the same nonsense that they did with the public safety buidling?

They told everyone the low estimate of the cost to the taxpayer, and then when you go in to vote the public safety ballot showed the low estimate and that you agree for them to borrow up to $100 million in addition to the low estimate. Here comes the shock, they used the higher amount to begin with and tricked the 4000 people that actually voted and told them it was going to cost less than what it really is going to cost!

We need to know the actual cost of the building and to each taxpayer. The cost should also be pushed on the renters of the city, that don't seem to mind voting for tax increases on the few of us that still own homes in the city.

In a time of tight budgets, and heavy demand on funds how would it be prudent to invest this money on a venue that is not needed? There are also the unstated and unknown impacts on Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Theatre, Capitol Theatre, and Hale. While Salt Lake Citys image would certainly be enhanced by a new venue, and the Mayors personal legacy would be improved the question of why now still must be addressed in a meaningful way. It is not enough that construction costs are low. Bringing in outside consultants from the arts and theatre community is fine, but they are hardly objective. They make their living performing in these venues. Perhaps more research, and objectivity is needed before any potential or irrevocable damage is done to venues that have proven their viability over the years.

On the one hand, I think it would be a great boost to the Salt Lake area to have first-run Broadway shows, and would attract people from surrounding states. The cultural enrichment it offers goes without saying. But on the other hand, a verbally expressed interest/financial commitment on the part of the county government, which is likely to experience some changes in next year's election is cause for concern. I question the wisdom of investing that much money when the entity they are counting on to foot most of the bill may have new leadership next year that's not as willing to support such a project.

This looks to be one of those projects that Salt Lake City will have to move forward on exercising some visionary judgement for its success, rather than the practical judgment that leans towards being another underused, under-performing investment...

I'd follow the money and see whose friends and relatives are going to get rich in the design process.

As one of the mayor's earliest supporters, I am completely disappointed in this move.

And having the actual development firm, who was hired to build it, provide the "feasibility study" is the height of cronyism.

I cannot support Becker any longer. And I am his core audience.

@ Dog_ma | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 7, 2011
Cottonwood Heights, UT

And do you live in SL? If not, we really only need people that live in the city to support and elect our representatives.

Like others I have a concern regarding stated projected costs. Public officials or those informing the public officials are notorious for understating costs. That said, a quick calculation indicates that this theatre will cost $50,000 per seat for design and construction alone. The continued maintenance will still be on the taxpayers backs. Personally I do prefer to see a play than a movie but this is a project every taxpayer will be continually financing. There is no monetary payback for the city or county. Should this be part of the public infrastructure? Is there really enough benifit to the community to justify those who can afford a broadway play to not have to go to broadway to enjoy the cultural experience? Perhaps the cultural enrichment is worth the price but it is steep and prolonged. I hope our elected officials do not get caught up in the enthusiasm and are able to carefully consider the wisdom of the undertaking. If it is worth it, great, but if it is a mill stone, let's not hang it on all our necks.

Liberal Ted, I actually live in SLC.