For instance, Councilwoman Nancy Saxton said at Thursday night's meeting that she wants to see crime statistics from in and around other retail centers built by the developer.

Saxton said if those stats show the projects lowered crime in those areas, it would help the developer's case.

"In each of the areas they've been in, they've made a difference," said Louis Zunguze, Salt Lake City's community development director. "Property values went up, and communities turned around."

Councilman Carlton Christensen wants to know how the project proposed for North Temple and Redwood Road might affect other area businesses - ones that receive no city subsidy.

"I'd feel better about what we do if these small businesses have the option to improve as well," Christensen said.

Added Councilman Dave Buhler: "We've already got grocery stores we haven't subsidized. So here we would help an international business that could put locally owned stores out of business."

Councilman Van Turner wants some simpler information about the project: He wants to know how it would look: "We've got no pictures, no presentation - we have no clue what we'd be voting on."