Back out of The Leonardo

Five years ago, when Salt Lake City voters faced six bond propositions on the November ballot, we recommended passage of all but one. The Leonardo, we said, did not fit the definition of an immediate public need. Besides, its planners said the project would be built even without public funding. It just would take a little longer.

That was in 2003, when Utah's economy was emerging from a mild recession into several years of strong growth. This is 2008, when markets worldwide are collapsing in ways not seen since the Great Depression.

Were that same election held today, we likely would caution against voting for some of the other proposals, as well. As it turns out, the city never has issued the $10.2 million in bonds voters ended up approving for The Leonardo in 2003. Despite years of a strong economy, organizers of the hands-on museum, which would reside in the old city library, have had trouble raising enough money privately to cover the rest of the costs of renovation and construction. Now the city attorney's office has issued a legal opinion that says the city is not obligated to issue the bonds because terms of The Leonardo's plans never were agreed upon.

Given the current economic climate, the City Council and mayor ought to keep the personal finances of city residents in mind and decide against issuing the bonds.

Over the years, The Leonardo has sorely tested patience at City Hall. Not long after the bond election, its organizers said rising construction costs had doubled the price of the project. Questions about the project's financial viability — particularly its ability to meet ongoing costs — have dogged it from the beginning.

Now the plan is to use the $10.2 million bond to renovate the old library and use matching private funds to cover program costs. The city's legal opinion says not enough information is available to determine whether The Leonardo has even raised its portion of the money.

Despite the publicity surrounding the "Body Worlds" exhibit being hosted by The Leonardo, the city ought to take this opportunity to save its residents a bit of money in troubled times.

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