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SALT LAKE CITY -- Trolley Square enters a new era Saturday. The grand reopening will celebrate the end of exterior construction on the historic mall at 700 East between 500 South and 600 South in downtown Salt Lake City.
A number of activities will take place throughout the day to welcome the public.
The remodel includes two new parking lots and new stores. After three years of construction, Trolley Square business owners are excited about the face-lift. They had to battle both the bad economy and the ongoing construction -- but now it's over, and businesses are more than happy.
"We're excited for the future," said Jeff Murray, general manager of The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant located in the mall. "Obviously it's been a long construction process, but we're happy that it's over."
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Children's activities featuring Munchkin Radio - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bounce house - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Event photo booth - 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Community information and prize booths, including a Disney's Lion King family pack - 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Cake on the plaza - 11 a.m. - close
Restaurant specials, including 35% off orders at Spaghetti Factory in honor of their 35th anniversary - 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Live comedy show with refreshments, presented by WiseGuys Comedy Club - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Horse drawn carriage rides depart from the water tower - Dusk
Fireworks
Construction leaders made sure the remodeled mall still has that "old-time" character.
Trolley Square Property Manager Dawn Katter said, "We had to make sure that we kept the integrity of the historic buildings here."
Originally the builders thought about refinishing the floor, but then decided to take off the old wax instead and leave the original bricks. They also opened up panels in the ceiling so natural light can pour in.
For convenience, there are new parking lots. One is located above the new Whole Foods building, the other on the west side of Trolley Square.
The building also has a new irrigation system that takes water from an underground body of water, so the mall will no longer use city water.
Those involved in the construction are just as relieved the project is completed as the business owners and managers.
"I don't have to wear a hard hat to work every single day and maybe now I can actually, you know, get back to a normal life," said Katter. "But it's been a very exciting process."
"You know, it's a landmark, and it's really an exciting place to be," said Andrea Hundertmark, manager of the clothing store Ypsilon.
Grand reopening activities start Saturday morning. There will be a photo booth, comedy show, horse-drawn carriage rides and store specials. It will all conclude with a fireworks show at dusk.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
