Sugarhouse Shopkeepers Still Hoping for Salvation

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Sugarhouse business owners are planning their first "buycott" next week, raising awareness about their impending evictions that will make way for new retail development. They gave the Salt Lake City Council an earful about their plight at this week's meeting. But are their efforts enough to stop the wheels of change? Councilman Soren Simonsen sees a glimmer of hope:

"I think the city council got an important message that night," says Sorenson. "I'm still not sure there's the political will to reverse some decisions that were made that I don't think were appropriate, but that remains to be seen."

Last fall, Simonsen tried unsuccessfully to make ihs council colleagues reconsider the zoning decision that set the stage for major development on the southwest corner of 21st South and Highland Drive. Simonsen now has growing public support and a year of experience on the city council. And he says he feels strong support now from his council colleagues for his proposal to be more sensitive to local businesses and historic preservation when zoning. That may not change things for Sugarhouse, but Simonsen says the city council also seems open to finding ways to help those displaced shop owners relocate and thrive.

Click here for details on the Sugarhouse "Buycott." 

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