City Creek Center
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The Church will play a prominent role in the evolution of downtown Salt Lake City.
Presiding Bishop H. David Burton announced plans Oct. 3 for a massive, mixed-use redevelopment project dubbed the City Creek Center that will stretch across some 20 acres just south and southeast of Temple Square and include large-scale retail, office and residential features.
The Church is developing the property through its commercial real estate arm, Property Reserve, Inc. (PRI). No public dollars or tithing funds will be used in the development, expected to be completed by 2011.
"This project sets the course for Salt Lake's downtown for generations to come," said Bishop Burton in his presentation to the Salt Lake City Council.
The redevelopment will dramatically alter the appearance and usage of the two-block area from Salt Lake City's West Temple to State Street between South Temple and 100 South. Also included in the City Creek Center project is the half block from Social Hall Avenue to 100 South between State Street and 200 East.
Though still in its conceptual stage — architectural plans are "about a year away" — highlights for the new development include three national departments stores — Macy's, Nordstrom and a yet to be named third store — anchoring the project's prominent retail component. Other new buildings and office towers will house private businesses and hundreds of residential units. The Utah-based Harmons grocery chain will also open a store inside the development.
The City Creek Center project is said to be pedestrian-friendly. Walkways will traverse the various buildings, while fountains and man-made water features, designed to represent the historic South Fork of City Creek, will be supplemented by some six acres of gardens and open space, according to the Church.
"This allows us to do some interesting and marvelous things with water," Bishop Burton said.
Meanwhile, some 5,600 parking spaces will be built — all underground.
Speaking of the development's design, Bishop Burton said the Church "sought advice from some of the best minds in the country."
Several existing buildings will be demolished to make space for City Creek Center. They include the Inn at Temple Square, the Key Bank Tower, the Crossroads Plaza and the ZCMI Center (along with each mall's parking structures), the First Security Bank Building and the Deseret Plaza. Demolition is expected to begin in November, moving roughly west to east across the development.
Existing buildings within the development expected to remain include the Beneficial Tower, Eagle Gate Plaza, Gateway Tower West, Marriott Hotel, Zions Bank and the Utah Woolen Mills.
Additional information on the City Creek Center project and downloadable images of site plan schematics can be found at www.downtownrising.com.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
