Ideas came pouring in after a Salt Lake Tribune story over the weekend on the past and potential future of a block-size parking lot located in the downtown heart of Utah’s capital.

The site’s owner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says it has “no immediate plans” to change that tree-lined 10-acre lot between 400 south and 500 South and West Temple and Main Street and will keep it as surface parking, at least for “the next few years.”

But after that, the church’s real estate subsidiaries “will certainly build something enduring,” said Dee Brewer, executive director of the Downtown Alliance, an arm of the Salt Lake Chamber representing merchants in the urban core.

The current owner “will almost certainly hold — as in, own and operate — whatever they build,” Brewer said of the church’s development firm, Property Reserve. “They are committed to supporting the downtown ecosystem.”

But lots of factors are in play, Brewer added, like timing, market demands, adjacent properties, and other planned development downtown, which currently involves up to 24 different projects announced or underway, for a total of up to $10 billion in new investment.

In terms of city needs, Brewer and many readers pointed to more green space. They also mentioned new high-end offices.

More housing, of course, is also on their list, even as the downtown area continues to absorb thousands of new apartments built over the past 12 years.

The spot’s proximity to a TRAX light rail station also spurred lots of suggestions.

“Visitors, workers and residents are the real fuel that ignite a vibrant and prosperous downtown,” Brewer said. “Every block downtown is a platform for attracting this fuel.”

So what did readers say we need more of?

• Jen G., like many others, suggested a park, especially given the block is already lined with mature trees and grassy areas. “Above-ground parking is such a waste of space,” she said. “Colorado and other states do a much better job at making cities livable/bearable.”

• Added Gary G. on the green space idea: “Of course, the tax $$$$$$ would be lost to the city, but the sanity of the city’s crammed-in residents would be saved.”

• Van L. was among several survey respondents who suggested open space along with a transit-oriented housing development that would include shopping outlets and other attractions. “Retail component should extend the great pedestrian activity of upper Main southward,” said Van.

• Alexis said it should be “a glittering public recreation/sports center with strategic outdoor space to activate ground level, underground parking, maybe even a tower of housing above. Given that many folks coming into SLC pass this block on their way in, it would be great to put something truly special here.”

• Many pointed to similarly themed downtown jewels in other cities, including Philadelphia or even Barcelona. An inspired super-block, suggested Layne P., “with classic five-story architecture surrounding an open plaza.”

• Carlos V. went further to suggest a full-blown “arcology,” as in, an entire highly dense and self-sufficient vertical city all its own rising from that spot — boasting, perhaps, another major downtown library as well.

• Matt G. had a similar idea, centered maybe on a new downtown museum: “Why not a ‘Utah Music History Museum’ with a performing arts venue given the block’s musical history? Or a reborn Leonardo museum?”

• Codi J. said it should contain a “Class A office building with a public observation deck on the top so tourists can have an amazing view of the mountains, downtown” and hopefully, he added, a replenished Great Salt Lake.

• Lisa B. and Raquel C., meanwhile, were adamant about affordable housing, perhaps with a large open space element included.

• Nicholas S. said residential towers, with dwellings available for ownership, should come in.

• Mark M., Liana F. and A.C., meanwhile, suggested leaving it as a parking, though A.C. added: “make it covered parking with solar panels over the open pavement, removing as few trees as possible.”

What other ideas do you have? Drop them in the comments section below.