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Shelley Osterloh ReportingDowntown Salt Lake City is undergoing a major overhaul. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon demolish two major malls and build a billion dollar project called the City Creek Center.
Workers and machines remove the rubble that used to be the Inn at Temple Square, and next it the Crossroad's Parking Terrace closed forever. It's scheduled to be demolished later this month.
Losing the parking terrace impacts many people like Grant Mortenson who parks there every day.
Grant Mortensen, Downtown Worker: "Think its going to be quite inconvenient for quite a while. Parking is going to be a mess probably; you are going to have to walk wherever you go."
Demolition on the Crossroads Plaza block will continue, moving from the west to the east. Nordstrom will close its doors January 20th and reopen in the new City Creek Center in 2011. Demolition of the ZCMI Center starts in April or May and the wrecking ball begins here on the south side and moves north.
Macy's is expected to close soon. Company managers for Mr. Mac are enthusiastic about their new, larger location, but won't say yet where it is.
John Stoneman, Manager Mr. Mac ZCMI Center: "At first we'll stay at this location, probably for about two months and then we'll move down the street to a new location where we hope to locate permanently."
While many agree the new City Center Mall will be great when it's done in five years, those who work in the area say there will be day to day challenges.
Candace Steadman, Downtown Worker: "Once we get used to the fact that we can't get around as conveniently as we have in he past, or park, we'll be okay. But ultimately, I think it will be a fabulous thing for the city."
While one part of the city goes down, another piece of Salt Lake history goes back up. The Zions Bank clock on the corner of 1st South and Main has been restored. It was brought from the east in the early 1870's, pulled in a wagon by eight mules and originally powered by moving water from City Creek.
Rob Brough, Zions Bank Senior Vice President: "It's very meaningful I think with all the restoration that's happening downtown and the renovation of things that are happening here. It really adds character to this corner and this part of downtown."
So while the face of Salt Lake is changing, this piece of time and history will remain. Crews will add the face and inner workings of the clock tomorrow. The clock will run digitally.
When City Creek Center is completed in 2011, it will have retail, office, residential and open space.
