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SALT LAKE CITY -- Black Friday shoppers are probably rested and ready to do some holiday shopping, but will they want to go to downtown Salt Lake to do that shopping?
Some have been put off by construction and a lack of parking in the past. But Jason Mathis, the executive director of the Downtown Alliance, believes it will be different this time around.
"For instance, at City Creek, (the construction) is now focused on the interior of the block now," said Mathis.
He believes that alone will encourage more foot traffic and better parking, especially since you can now park in portions of the City Creek Center.
But the key is really the lights. Mathis said they did a study and found out the lights at Temple Square are the No. 1 reason people go downtown.
He says Utah Jazz games help out, too. He hopes people who come for both will see how easy it is to get around town and come back.
Mathis hopes the word gets around, but he knows this will only work if people give it a try.
"People can hear that it's not a big deal, but until they actually come down and see it for themselves, it's hard for that message to sink in," he said.
E-mail:cwall@ksl.com
