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John Daley ReportingWork on the massive City Creek Center redevelopment project starts in earnest this month. Signs of the impending major construction are already starting to crop up.
The project officially gets started with the demolition of the Inn at Temple Square, but today downtown leaders are stressing that the impact on traffic and shopping during the holiday season will be minimal.
Enjoy the views of the center of downtown while you can because very soon it will all change. First to go is the Inn at Temple Square; barricading around the site will begin sometime after tomorrow.
Mark Gibbons, President, Property Reserve, Inc: "The exact method of all demolition has not yet been determined. Our initial demolition will the hard way, one piece at a time."
The start of demolition will impact traffic and parking somewhat. Two northbound lanes of traffic on West Temple will merge into one as barricades go up and traffic will not be allowed to turn right onto South Temple. Sidewalks around the Inn, as well as parking spots directly adjacent to it, will be closed.
Demolition is expected to move roughly west to east with the Key Bank building coming down in the latter half of '07.As for the future of the historic First Security building, which many want to see saved, that's up in the air.
Mark Gibbons, President, Property Reserve, Inc: "We are currently evaluating the possible uses of the first security building and it has not been determined."
Though most shops have already left the two malls, anchors Macy's and Nordstrom remain, for now.
Lane Beattie, President, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce: "They'll be open through the holiday season and are anxiously awaiting your visits."
Also worth noting tonight, the TRAX schedule remains unchanged, same for taxi service and carriage rides.
So the bottom line is changes are underway, but don't expect some of the major impacts on downtown traffic to hit until after the holiday season.
