The proposed center for Salt Lake City's west-side Glendale residents was part of a deal that gave The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints full control of Main Street property it purchased from the city between North Temple and South Temple.

The city agreed to sell its public easement on the property to the church in exchange for two acres next to the existing Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center and $250,000. To sweeten the deal, billionaire James Sorenson gave land and money totaling $1 million, and the Alliance for Unity, a coalition of groups and individuals, added $3.75 million.

That deal was finalized in December 2002. Today, there is still no building, no money for services and no partners to make the Unity Center a reality. The alliance is demanding some accounting from Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson for the lack of progress. We would also like to know why, after more than two years, city residents who gave up the public easement on a chunk of Main Street still have nothing to show for it.

We can understand that these things take time, but it does seem that by now there should be some of what the alliance's director, Alexander Morrison, wonders about: a business plan, architectural drawing or a list of tenants - or even potential tenants - for the center, which is expected to have a theater, lobby and classrooms.

Anderson has offered reasons - some would call them excuses - for the delay, including difficulty acquiring two homes at the site (Sorenson bought them) and funding problems of an expected tenant, the Guadalupe School (Anderson says he will meet with Guadalupe officials).

Still, the frustration of those who opposed the deal giving the LDS Church total control of a block of Main Street is well-founded. They are right to want some sign of progress - a specific plan would help alleviate their concerns.

Anderson blames Morrison for creating a rift between the city and the alliance, but it seems to us the friction is more the result of the city's unfulfilled promise to have a building completed this year. Donors have a right to know when they can expect a finished building with programs funded and staffed.

The promise of a Unity Center was supposed to make the Main Street deal palatable. But, so far, it is a promise unfulfilled. The mayor must demonstrate that he is able not only to negotiate a deal, but to hold up his end of the bargain.