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Richard Piatt Reporting...After 10 years of quiet planning, a major project that will change the face of downtown Salt Lake City is about to get underway. But some businesses in the way of the bulldozers aren't happy.
The project involves a major expansion of the downtown Federal Courthouse. The government plans to take all but a small portion of the block between Main Street and West Temple, and Market Street to 4th South.
The government is hoping to create a new landmark at the same time it more than doubles the space of the courthouse.
But it's going to be expensive -- and take a few more years before it's done.
The Frank Moss Federal Courthouse will be 100 years old when the major expansion project is set to begin in 2005.
One of the earliest examples of neoclassical style architecture in Utah, it is functionally showing its age in ways that are unacceptable to the Federal Government.
Security, for one, has been an expensive, difficult issue to address.
Space is a major concern -- especially considering Utah's heavy bankruptcy caseload.
Years of hashing out details have come down to this: A model of what the expansion will eventually look like.
Sergey Akhpatelov/Architect: "IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MEET BOTH AESTHETIC GOALS FOR THE NEW DESIGN, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT WAS CHALLENGING BUT IN THIS CASE I THINK IT WAS SUCCESSFUL."
Key features are a glass tower that could become a landmark
The new building includes public space between the old building and the new one.
Plans are already in motion to acquire the property this gas station is on, the parking lots on the block, and the landmark Oddfellow building.
Richard Piatt, Eyewitness News "ONE OF THE EARLY DESIGNS FOR THE NEW COURTHOUSE CALLED FOR THE ENTIRE ODDFELLOW BUILDING TO BE TORN DOWN EXCEPT THE FACADE. THAT PLAN WAS SCRAPPED FOR HISTORICAL CONSIDERATIONS. NOW, THE PLANS CALL FOR THE ENTIRE BUILDING TO BE MOVED ACROSS THE STREET."
For now, the Shubrick building -- where the Port O' Call bar sits -- will stay.
But the Government has indicated it wants the buildings to the east of the bar, owned by Kent Knowley.
Kent Knowley/Property Owner: "THE THING THAT BOTHERED ME MOST WAS THE COMMUNICATION. WE WERE LEFT TOTALLY IN THE DARK ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. "
For years, it did seem the project was on hold. But now there are two obstacles left: Public input -- and Congressional Funding.
The government and project architects are seeking public input until 8 o'clock tonight.
The model you just saw, as well as drawings are on display at the City council chambers at the Salt Lake City and County building.
