This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City has become Ralph Becker's "Imperial City." The proposal to create "grand boulevards" off I-15 is just another example of a whim looking for a rationale.
What study suggests that these are needed? Was it the same study that justified spending millions on a tunnel under 1300 East? Or was it the study that led to 1,000 new residential units and a plaza in Sugar House, a "streetcar" to nowhere, beautified alleys downtown, bike lanes that even cyclists don't like, parks closed to dogs, and natural areas that exclude all but a few users?
The mayor has made our city into his pet project, conducting experiments in urban planning (over strenuous objections) that offer almost nothing to the west side and costing everyone plenty.
Laurie J. Bryant
Salt Lake City