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A South Jordan skybridge was designed to keep people crossing the street safe. Now, city planners and developers are hoping to tear it down.
The big reason is the property is still not developed. The owners say the skybridge blocks their property, making it worth less.
City planners say the bridge is no longer needed. Don Tingey, director of Urban Renewal and Residency, says, "The bridge was built for the school and for the kids to get to the school, and that need isn't here anymore."
The school was South Jordan Elementary. It's moved to 11200 South, but some students still use the skybridge to get to school. The school wants to make sure the children have a safe way to cross, and the city says they'll make sure that happens.
As for the private school that's here now, American Heritage is scheduled for its own demolition. Tingey said, "We feel it could be a win-win situation as we work through the issue of demolishing the skybridge."
But some South Jordan residents say not so fast. South Jordan resident Scotti Hanson says, "People still use it. I think it looks nice, I think they spend a lot of money, why throw it out."
Warren Lewis, also a South Jordan resident, says, "I hope I plan my money a little bit better than that. I wouldn't throw away a million dollars, I don't think, without looking at it and doing a real hard study."
The city says it wouldn't cost that much because the property owners have volunteered to pay for the demolition. The plan sounds good to some. "It's kind of an eyesore, not very many people use it," says South Jordan resident Larry Shulzen. "If you're making a turn there, you'll see people running across the street before they'll, it takes so long to wind back and forth."
The Utah Department of Transportation built the bridge when it widened 104000 South. It will have the final say as to whether it stays or goes. It will do some studies and have some public hearings before they make the decision.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
