Officials from Michigan-based Taubman Centers Inc. told Planning commissioners on Wednesday night they consider the bridge "mandatory," and they provided letters from anchor tenants Macy's and Nordstrom, which called the bridge "critical."

"If that bridge isn't there, then the type of retail that's necessary for this project can't succeed and would force us to go completely back to the drawing board," said Bruce Heckman, Taubman's vice president of development. "If the two blocks [Crossroads Plaza and ZCMI Center] are isolated without a connector across Main Street, there is not enough critical mass of retail on either block to allow it to function as a regional draw."

The church and Taubman, which are embarking on an estimated $1 billion, 20-acre makeover of Main Street by tearing down Crossroads and ZCMI and adding new retail and housing, hope to have the commissioners' blessing on the bridge concept as soon as possible.

But commissioners want more proof the bridge won't keep pedestrians off Main Street, killing the few remaining streetfront retailers outside of the planned City Creek Center.

"People make the best promises that things won't happen and it happens otherwise," said Commissioner Prescott Muir, recalling how the developers of Crossroads pledged not to kill shops on 300 South but did. "We're trying to rebuild Main Street as best we can. This could be another nail in the coffin. Conversely, it might, as you say, bring new customers downtown."

Heckman said the portion of Main Street within City Creek would include storefronts and perhaps sidewalk dining so that pedestrians are "definitely going to want to get down there." Elevators will stand on either end of the bridge to allow easy access to the street.

Saying City Creek cannot succeed without a surrounding vibrant downtown, Heckman said the goal is to help Main Street. Taubman and church officials hope the center spawns further redevelopment on neighboring blocks. They pointed to their design that calls for breaking up the two mall blocks into eight by adding pedestrian-only streets in the middle, connecting to adjacent properties. Some 300 to 400 housing units will be added to further invigorate downtown, they noted.

"Downtown retail projects cannot be successful if they're isolated fortresses that only exist as urban islands," Heckman said.

Though Taubman officials tried to distinguish the connector from failed skywalk systems found in other cities, skeptics remain.

"It entraps or hordes the shoppers in this project and keeps them from getting to whatever small business tries to survive on Main Street," Cindy Cromer, a former planning commissioner, said.

The city now forbids bridges spanning Main Street because they would block views of Ensign Peak. Taubman officials said the bridge could be transparent. They are taking inspiration for the architecture from the Eagle Gate on State Street, among other places.

"We're looking to find what exactly will suit this community," said Ron Loch, Taubman's vice president of planning and design. "[It is] certainly going to be very respectful to the view," he said, adding that they want it to have a "personality. Is it shy? Is it a little bit more outgoing? We're anxious to hear what you have to say."

hmay@sltrib.com

Open house

An open house to take public comment about City Creek Center will be Wednesday from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Main Library in the fourth level meeting room.