Councilman Has Reservations About Sky Bridge Vote

Apr 09, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Last night, the Salt Lake City Council approved by a six-to-one vote developer Taubman Centers' plan to build a sky bridge over Main Street at the proposed City Creek Center. One city councilman who voted "yes" was conflicted about the decision.

"Even as everyone was going down the row, making their statement and casting their vote, I still was a little bit uncertain about how I was voting and whether I was making the right decision," said Councilman Soren Simonsen.

Simonsen says he remains opposed to the sky bridge despite his vote. But he believes that Taubman has cooperated with the council right up until the decision was made and revised its plans to address his concerns. Simonsen adds that legislative intent provisions added to the ordinance last night, including plans for the construction of a crosswalk across State Street, influenced his vote.

It's now been a year since the council originally amended the city's master plan to allow sky bridges in Salt Lake City. Vice Chairman Carlton Christensen, who also voted yes, says the back-and-forth between Taubman and the council during that time was important.

"I felt good about the final product and the discussions and deliberations clearly were needed both in the community and I think for the overall long-term benefit of the project," he said.

Listen to a conversation or download a podcast with Christensen about the sky bridge and the burden now placed on Taubman to add other improvements to the City Creek project.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW