Tapping its Open Space Land Fund - and partnering with Salt Lake County - the City Council has closed the purchase deal for 12.7 acres on the city's east bench known as the H-block.
The move means a conservation easement will be placed on the property between Mohawk Drive and Scenic Drive to block development and keep it in its current condition.
The city agreed to pay $950,000 for a little more than 7 acres perched within the Scenic Heights, Indian Rock and Mohawk subdivisions in the east-bench foothills. The second (5.6 acre) parcel, located within the Terrace Heights subdivision near 1805 S. Mohawk Way, cost $475,000.
Salt Lake County will pay half the total acquisition cost of each property in exchange for a conservation easement. The easement will allow for public access and limited recreation use, and the hillside parcels will remain in their natural state. The deal with the county, which will tap its open-space coffers, was solidified through an interlocal agreement.
- Derek P. Jensen
Leonardo funds approved
Before a science center can bring in exhibits, it must stand on solid ground.
With that in mind, the Salt Lake City Council green-lighted $2.5 million for the Leonardo on Tuesday for a seismic retrofit and asbestos removal, knowing nearly half the cost will be reimbursed by a FEMA grant.
Cost overruns at the Leonardo, the city's former main library building, have put the project on hold. Officials for the science museum point to inflation, soaring construction costs, the cost of building green, and the price for the seismic upgrade as reasons for the spike. The tab for the overall building renovation is estimated near $25 million.
Some on the council have balked at feeding more money into Leonardo after capital voters approved a $10 million bond for the project in 2003. But on Tuesday, the council agreed to tap a fund balance to cover the cost of the retrofit. Just over $1 million of the amount will be provided by FEMA in a grant. In other city business:
* The council voted 5-1 to initiate eminent domain proceedings for three properties located at approximately 465 W. 400 North. The city wants the property, owned by Evans Property Group, for an electric substation. An attorney for the landowner complained the substation is not consistent with zoning rules, to no avail.
* The council agreed to fund a host of new positions, including a land-use attorney and a legislative lobbyist.
- Derek P. Jensen
