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Marc Giauque ReportingIn five years it's expected to change the face of downtown Salt Lake. It's the largest construction project since the build-up before the Olympic Games.
Plans by the LDS Church to redevelop more than two city blocks make our list of one of the top stories of the year.
It had been in the works for years, hinted at by none other than the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, just days before the announcement.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Church: "The Church is undertaking a huge development project in the interest of protecting the environment of Temple Square".
A few days later the announcement was laid out to city leaders. Plans were given to raze the Crossroads mall, the ZCMI Mall, the Inn at Temple Square, the Key Bank Tower and the Deseret Building. In their place will be a new, walkable shopping area with office space and housing.
H. David Burton, Presiding Bishop LDS Church: "In effect we have opened up for pedestrian traffic some of the legacy streets of bygone years in Salt Lake City."
Open up indeed, because before downtown rises a lot has to fall, like the historic Inn at Temple Square. The items inside were sold in an auction. Then the wrecking ball came and it was completely destroyed.
The same fate was in store for the Deseret Building, but after much opposition it was taken off the hit list.
Still there are questions about who will be impacted and how. Many are hopeful it will bring new life downtown.
Others are worried about what the next five years will bring.
