"RDAs [redevelopment projects] are a scam," said Barry Topham, one of two newly elected council members who takes the oath of office Thursday.
"The whole Legislature would disagree with you," fired back Kris Longson, vice president of development for mall-owner and developer General Growth Properties (GGP).
The mixed-use project proposed by GGP has grown increasingly controversial because of its size and the fact that $100 million in future tax dollars would be used to fund costly infrastructure upgrades.
Topham, who replaces two-term councilman Steve Peterson, recently sent two letters to the Granite School District opposing General Growth's plan.
Topham's Jan. 4 letter decried a recent pro-development mailing sent out by the grassroots Holladay Citizens United. The flyer warned the developer will abandon the property and go elsewhere if tax increment funding gets rejected.
The school board votes next Tuesday on it, and their position dictates how at least two, possibly three, of the eight-member taxing entity committee will lean. A supermajority is required to approve the project budget.
"I think this brochure admirably demonstrates the character of GGP: 'Our way or no way - and screw you.' I hope board members will see this extortion ploy for what it is," wrote Topham in the Jan. 4 letter.
The rest of the council decided to draft a letter to refute what they believe are inaccuracies put forth by Topham, and to communicate their united support of the project to the school district and other taxing entities that will ultimately decide whether tax dollars help make the $550 million project materialize.
cmckitrick@sltrib.com
* Chicago-based General Growth Properties intends to erect a $550 million neighborhood consisting of more than 500 living units, 700,000 square feet of retail and 100,000 square feet of office space.
* According to a Bonneville Research study - if the project's budget gets approved - Granite School District will get $171,000 each year until the project gets built. Then that amount would increase five-fold to an average of $905,000 each year. After 20 years, more than $4 million annually would flow to Granite.
