Salt Lake City to put 3 staffers in offices on 120 S. Main
They'll facilitate projects linked to downtown work
Bill Knowles, the Downtown Rising ombudsman who is partly paid by the Chamber, said Friday that the office will house three Salt Lake City building inspectors and himself. In the future, there also may be a receptionist who will coordinate business activities and meetings, as well as answer questions from the public. For now, Knowles will handle those duties.
"My responsibility will basically be to make sure the project owners and construction companies recognize and continue to be sensitive to the needs of the surrounding business community and property owners," Knowles said.
With $3 billion in development currently under way in downtown Salt Lake City, civic leaders found it appropriate to open the doors of Downtown Rising's new "home base" with the small full-time staff.
The new office, located at 120 S. Main, is being donated by Zions Bank and will be the central information point for those interested in current or proposed development in the downtown area. Downtown Rising is a joint venture that partners Salt Lake City, the Downtown Alliance and the Salt Lake Chamber.
"We all want the progress, we all want to see things get better down the road, but we don't want to kill off the guys that are already here in the process," he said.
Key downtown projects will include a performing-arts theater, film center and art galleries. Planners also are exploring the prospects for a year-round, indoor public market that would complement the existing Downtown Farmers Market that now takes place at Pioneer Park in the summer.
The indoor public market would be a fresh-food emporium with food-related anchor tenants and would provide space for agricultural and crafts businesses to come and sell their wares.
Downtown Rising also is working on educational initiatives that create a connection between downtown Salt Lake City and the University of Utah.
E-mail: jlee@desnews.com
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