Aquarium funds doubtful
Proponents have until Dec. 12 to buy land for proposed site
And that is that there is "virtually no chance" the proposed Living Planet Aquarium can secure public funding — money the aquarium needs if it is to exist.
"They need to realize we are absolutely unified on this," Anderson said following Thursday's hourlong, closed-door session with the City Council, acting as the city's Redevelopment Agency Board.
During the public portions of Thursday's meeting, the board ended its lease with aquarium proponents, who now have until Dec. 12 to purchase the RDA-owned land, at 500 West and 400 South, for $3.8 million. It isn't that the RDA wants to sell the hot property but, according to its aquarium contract, it has to give the aquarium backers a chance to purchase the land.
Living Planet Aquarium President Brent Andersen said he "has no worries" about coming up with the money, which is to be supplied by private backers. He also begs to differ with the mayor on whether the aquarium can secure public funding. Andersen said the public has already given its support by turning out in droves to the aquarium's preview exhibit at The Gateway.
And the exhibit is unique in Utah.
A female white-tipped reef shark just gave birth to pups that Andersen described as "exact miniatures of the adults, equipped with a full set of teeth and ready to eat." New exhibits are planned for spring.
The larger aquarium, just two blocks south of The Gateway, would be a spiffy upgrade and could be incorporated into some residential and commercial uses that developers plan for the area. All in all, the project would be just what Salt Lake City leaders say they want — more housing, more retail and a big attraction to bring people downtown.
But while the public may be excited, political leaders aren't.
Coming from Thursday's meeting, Rocky Anderson had some advice for the aquarium's board of directors: Kill the project now.
Anderson believes the board will kill the project because it will "become clear to the aquarium board that there is virtually no chance for them to get public funding."
That public funding would come if the Salt Lake County Council voted to hold a bond election that would generate $40 million in taxpayer funds for the aquarium.
Anderson said Thursday the County Council won't go for it.
"I have received indication that the majority of the County Council is opposed to putting it on the ballot," he said.
Contacted Thursday, county Councilman Joe Hatch seemed none too enthusiastic about the proposal, while Councilman Michael Jensen was more open but still had many questions.
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