Inside info . . .

Friday's announcement has squelched most, if not all, concerns about Main Street development.

"This is a huge step for everyone who's been waiting for some information," said Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency executive director Dave Oka. "It shows that Taubman and the (LDS) Church have been very busy at shoring up the key elements of the development."

The incentive package

Details of the incentive package aren't being made public. But city leaders speculate that it was probably similar to an offer that the Boyer Co. made to entice Nordstrom to The Gateway. That deal, which Boyer said was extremely costly, called for Boyer to build Nordstrom its own parking garage and let Nordstrom design its own store.

Public money?

No taxpayer funds were used to entice Nordstrom to stay.

City Councilman Carlton Christensen said he expects the LDS Church may ask for some city funds to help relocate existing mall businesses. "There are clearly tenants in the current mall that aren't going to fit in a (more upscale) Taubman mall, and they might want to relocate to Main Street."

Some city leaders are speculating that the new store will be located on the west side of the Crossroads Plaza block, citing the church's announcement that it will demolish the Inn on Temple Square.

Also, the church has said the new mall parking will be underground, leading to speculation that the Crossroads Plaza parking structure, also on the west side of the block, will be razed.

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