Council Hears From Public on Plaza Issue

Debbie Dujanovic reporting The future of the Main Street plaza remains uncertain this morning, though public opinion on the matter is much clearer.

At a public meeting last night, the Salt Lake City Council heard more than two hours of comments from residents on a proposed land swap that would end the controversy.

The compromise proposed by mayor Rocky Anderson to end the ongoing plaza debate involves a land swap -- giving the easements to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in return for a parcel of land in the city's Glendale district where a community center is planned.

And while those who attended last night's meeting to discuss the proposal are split on the compromise, they agree on one thing -- that it's time for resolution to the issue.

Emotions ran high at the city county building even before the meeting had begun. So called street preachers protested the loss of the easement, saying it would damage their freedom of speech.

And inside -- though the tones were less harsh -- the sentiments were just as strong.

Maureen Fricke/ Proposal Critic: "IS THIS COMMUNITY CENTER GOING TO BE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON TAKING AND TAKING AND TAKING?"

Alan Sullivan/ Attorney, LDS Church: "WE BELIEVE THE TIME FOR THE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED IS NOW -- PROMPTLY."

Weighing in via letter at last night's meeting was the ACLU -- saying that if the proposal is accepted the city can be guaranteed of a battle in court.

And legal challenges are just one of the issues the council must face before voting. Decisions on the proposed community center must be addressed -- as must be the probability that the U.S. Supreme Court may hear the case.

All of these reasons are probably why the the council decided to delay voting on the mayor's proposal at the end of the meeting.