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Brigham Young famously wanted streets wide enough to turn a team of horses and wagon in, and the superblocks were designed to be neatly divided into plots that would give the settlers enough land to grow crops, have an orchard and sustain themselves.

Few wagon trains are pulling U-turns in downtown Salt Lake these days, and the office buildings and parking lots don’t leave much room for fruit trees. And even the most meticulously planned community loses its luster over time and needs some modernizing especially if the alternative for new investment is not unsettled wilderness but the growing suburbs and towns strung along the Wasatch front.

So Salt Lake is embarking on a major redevelopment effort under an umbrella plan called Downtown Rising in which nearly $2 billion will be invested in new offices, residential and retail buildings, arts, culture and governmental facilities and transit projects.

There’s a Seattle component to this. Seattle-based architecture firm Callison is a participant in one of downtown Salt Lake’s biggest projects, City Creek, a 20-acre mixed-use project across the street from Temple Square.

Seattle-based retailer Nordstrom was one of the drivers behind the redevelopment effort generally and City Creek in particular.

“Frankly, the heart of downtown has for the last 20 years been slipping into a worse state of repair,” says Callison principal Stan Laegreid. “It was turning into quite a liability. Everyone agreed something needed to be done.” As a downtown tenant with a lease nearing its end, Nordstrom was “watching the value of a downtown and a commercial market just steadily slip away.” The retailer was reluctant to stay unless “there was a larger commitment to turn downtown around.”

Beyond those specifics, Salt Lake’s efforts to rejuvenate its downtown have some interesting parallels and contrasts for Seattle as it considers its own redevelopment efforts in places such as South Lake Union, south downtown and Sodo.

Salt Lake and Seattle are hardly alone among western U.S. cities considering large-scale redevelopments that involve millions of dollars in investment and years of planning and wrangling. Some cities get a blank canvas to work with in the form of abandoned rail yards that cover acres of potentially prime developable real estate. Sacramento, Calif.; Santa Fe, N.M.; and Spokane are in varying stages of rail-yard redevelopment projects. Renton is working with former Boeing property near Lake Washington. Yakima is looking at what it can do with a former sawmill.

Salt Lake differs somewhat in that it’s trying to work a somewhat coordinated plan into and around an existing downtown, although Laegreid says there’s actually considerable open property in the downtown core.

But the biggest difference between Salt Lake and Seattle is the influence and participation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Temple Square is at the physical heart of downtown, drawing visitors as both a religious center and tourist destination.

“They have deliberately spearheaded this effort,” Laegreid says. “That introduces a dynamic and a patronage in the process that very few cities have. That was a big trigger in allowing this to happen.”

Contrast that with development efforts in Seattle. One striking feature about Downtown Rising is the breadth of business sector and governmental participation in a shared plan for downtown. With Seattle’s fractious political scene, very little gets done in a coordinated fashion unless, of course, a private developer such as Paul Allen’s Vulcan in South Lake Union has the size and drive to come up with a large-scale redevelopment plan on its own and push it to reality.

Not that having such an influential partner meant immediate unanimity in Salt Lake. “There still were a lot of vested parties that collectively had to share a vision,” Laegreid says. Once the first ideas were floated, human nature took over. “Everyone’s got opinions,” he says. “There was a certain amount of compromising, everyone getting their voices heard.” Although Salt Lake isn’t as consensus-crazy as Seattle, “given the high profile of the project, it started to feel much more like a Seattle” process.

NATIONAL POLITICS Chavez wants to improve United States image
Having failed his bold but scary attempt to make himself president-for-life in Venezuela, President Chavez now seeks to guarantee his legacy and his voice in world affairs by offering, via CITGO, 132 million gallons of free heating oil to our poor and American Indian tribes. Nothing is free; everything comes with a price.Chavez has already demonstrated his strategic vision of redistributing power; the lengths at which he will go to ensure that vision is long-lived.The sad thing is that he will probably succeed where he failed before, especially with endorsements from people in high U.S. places (U.S. Secretary of Energy Bodman wishing “more companies did it” and people with famous names (Joseph P. Kennedy asking us to be fair and reasonable). Chavez is one of two clearly anti-U.S. members of the 13-member OPEC. The other is Iran.Do we think for a minute that endorsing a greater “Chavez voice” will not have an impact among oil ministers? Free heating oil to Americans allows him a stronger voice among OPEC leaders to determine the price of billion of gallons worldwide. Mr. Kennedy, I have thought about it, and I just say no!M.L. “BUTCH” WILSON, JR., MeridianBush continues to make decisions about our future
President Bush continues to affect our futures.1. The Pentagon stated several years ago that the global warming threat was as great as that of any terrorists. Despite its warning, the Bush administration and Congress over the last five years spend $3.5 trillion for “defense,” and only $37 billion for climate-related programs. That’s $100 for war for each dollar spent on global warming. Not included in the totals for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are the regular “supplementary” appropriations, any rebuilding, and extended costs for veterans’ care; some say these could easily reach $2 trillion. See “Wars Dwarf Warming in U.S. Budget.”2. After signing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 into law, President Bush issued signing statements claiming the right to violate four sections, thereby removing some important reservations of Congress. The requirements he refused would leave the United States in Iraq permanently for control of its oil, stop intelligence agencies from releasing information requested by Congress, obstruct investigations of fraud and abuse by contractors, and, withhold protection for whistle-blowers who disclose wrongdoing in companies with government contracts. See “Bush’s Latest Signing Statement is Grounds for Impeachment.”LEWIS B. SMITH, BoisePRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONPoverty, global disease should be major issue
Referencing the two Associated Press Jan. 24 articles regarding the World Economic Forum where world leaders focused on world poverty, disease illiteracy and terrorism.As a voter and member of the poverty-fighting group ONE, I believe the fight against extreme poverty and global disease should be a major issue in the 2008 presidential election.Although global poverty is usually not part of election politics, ONE members are asking the candidates at campaign stops about their plans to fight poverty and save lives. Candidates are responding, some with policy speeches, others by incorporating global poverty into their national security platforms.We have gotten the major candidates to go on the record with their concrete plans to fight global poverty and disease if elected. Please view those plans and compare the candidates at www.onevote08.org/ontherecord.Hopelessness and permanent, devastating poverty breed radicalism. For the sake of the lives being lost and the security of Americans here at home, preventing global poverty and disease must be part of this year’s campaign and action by the next administration.MIKE REINECK, BoiseTAXESOwners pay high prices on overvalued homes
Don Hiatt’s Feb. 3 letter “Property owners: Keep pressure on.” Why aren’t we asking for a refund and reduction? Overvalued/assessed property brought in billions, now property isn’t worth as much but we’re still paying the taxes. Makes the banking scams of the 1980s and Enron look like a church picnic.Our self-proclaimed war president, all about an ownership society and our illustrious representatives may have pulled off the greatest caper of all time. Where did/do they have their money invested while promoting free trade, illegal immigration, war in Iraq, and now that America is spiraling out of economic control? Foreign interest buying up the subprime fiasco? Larry Craig using $210,000 from campaign contributions for personal legal fees?Bush made money on oil but was that just a bonus, like stock options? Will the stimulus buy us out of a recession or buy Bush time to get out of the White House like the buy-in? Texas hold ‘em up politics? $150 billion on top of $9 trillion? Can anyone seriously believe, in seven years Bush turned a surplus into recession with millions of working-class Americans losing their jobs and homes?SCOTT TISTHAMMER, BoiseExtend tax incentives to renewable energy industry
Extending the investment and production tax incentives for the renewable energy industry that will otherwise expire this year - and cause the industry to crash - is essential. They should be included in the current stimulus package.Regarding wind energy, the Idaho Department of Water Resources states, “The amount of available wind power far exceeds all of the developed hydro generation in the state. California has over 2,000 MW of installed capacity representing around $2 billion of total capital investments and serious power generation capacity. Idaho as of the summer of 2005 had just over 10 MW total developments.” Wind and geothermal are getting some minimal attention in the Idaho IRP.Regarding solar during peak needs:- June, July, August are the most productive solar months.- Daily afternoon and evening peak hours are the most productive solar hours.- Doesn’t need cooling water to operate in heat like nuclear and other thermal power generation.- Solar photovoltaic panels provide automatic shade for cooling (parking lots, rooftops, etc.).- Solar PV is almost completely environmentally benign (re: greenhouse gases, wasted heat, wastes, and non-mechanical to boot)(panels last 35-50 years). Idaho desperately needs tax incentives for all renewables.MARK HANAWALT, BoiseArticle on free tax filing was not totally accurate
The tax time article by Eileen Putman was good reading. I do think the idea of free filing through the IRS site was not totally accurate. My daughter, using my computer, went to the Turbo Tax site on the IRS web search results. A single mother ended up being charged near $90 for her filing. I later went to that same site and a few others and the key is “Federal Return and e-file” free. Do a state filing, they charge you, e-file a state and they charge you more. I think the deceptive wording at some of these sites is a very poor representation of corporate help offered to a few people trying to file and do the right thing. TurboTax will make a nice profit from unsuspecting filers because I could have bought the same service for $40/$50 on a disc. You would do a good service if you made this information clearer for the public.HARRY STEVENS, Meridian

NATIONAL POLITICS Chavez wants to improve United States image
Having failed his bold but scary attempt to make himself president-for-life in Venezuela, President Chavez now seeks to guarantee his legacy and his voice in world affairs by offering, via CITGO, 132 million gallons of free heating oil to our poor and American Indian tribes. Nothing is free; everything comes with a price.Chavez has already demonstrated his strategic vision of redistributing power; the lengths at which he will go to ensure that vision is long-lived.The sad thing is that he will probably succeed where he failed before, especially with endorsements from people in high U.S. places (U.S. Secretary of Energy Bodman wishing “more companies did it” and people with famous names (Joseph P. Kennedy asking us to be fair and reasonable). Chavez is one of two clearly anti-U.S. members of the 13-member OPEC. The other is Iran.Do we think for a minute that endorsing a greater “Chavez voice” will not have an impact among oil ministers? Free heating oil to Americans allows him a stronger voice among OPEC leaders to determine the price of billion of gallons worldwide. Mr. Kennedy, I have thought about it, and I just say no!M.L. “BUTCH” WILSON, JR., MeridianBush continues to make decisions about our future
President Bush continues to affect our futures.1. The Pentagon stated several years ago that the global warming threat was as great as that of any terrorists. Despite its warning, the Bush administration and Congress over the last five years spend $3.5 trillion for “defense,” and only $37 billion for climate-related programs. That’s $100 for war for each dollar spent on global warming. Not included in the totals for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are the regular “supplementary” appropriations, any rebuilding, and extended costs for veterans’ care; some say these could easily reach $2 trillion. See “Wars Dwarf Warming in U.S. Budget.”2. After signing the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 into law, President Bush issued signing statements claiming the right to violate four sections, thereby removing some important reservations of Congress. The requirements he refused would leave the United States in Iraq permanently for control of its oil, stop intelligence agencies from releasing information requested by Congress, obstruct investigations of fraud and abuse by contractors, and, withhold protection for whistle-blowers who disclose wrongdoing in companies with government contracts. See “Bush’s Latest Signing Statement is Grounds for Impeachment.”LEWIS B. SMITH, BoisePRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONPoverty, global disease should be major issue
Referencing the two Associated Press Jan. 24 articles regarding the World Economic Forum where world leaders focused on world poverty, disease illiteracy and terrorism.As a voter and member of the poverty-fighting group ONE, I believe the fight against extreme poverty and global disease should be a major issue in the 2008 presidential election.Although global poverty is usually not part of election politics, ONE members are asking the candidates at campaign stops about their plans to fight poverty and save lives. Candidates are responding, some with policy speeches, others by incorporating global poverty into their national security platforms.We have gotten the major candidates to go on the record with their concrete plans to fight global poverty and disease if elected. Please view those plans and compare the candidates at www.onevote08.org/ontherecord.Hopelessness and permanent, devastating poverty breed radicalism. For the sake of the lives being lost and the security of Americans here at home, preventing global poverty and disease must be part of this year’s campaign and action by the next administration.MIKE REINECK, BoiseTAXESOwners pay high prices on overvalued homes
Don Hiatt’s Feb. 3 letter “Property owners: Keep pressure on.” Why aren’t we asking for a refund and reduction? Overvalued/assessed property brought in billions, now property isn’t worth as much but we’re still paying the taxes. Makes the banking scams of the 1980s and Enron look like a church picnic.Our self-proclaimed war president, all about an ownership society and our illustrious representatives may have pulled off the greatest caper of all time. Where did/do they have their money invested while promoting free trade, illegal immigration, war in Iraq, and now that America is spiraling out of economic control? Foreign interest buying up the subprime fiasco? Larry Craig using $210,000 from campaign contributions for personal legal fees?Bush made money on oil but was that just a bonus, like stock options? Will the stimulus buy us out of a recession or buy Bush time to get out of the White House like the buy-in? Texas hold ‘em up politics? $150 billion on top of $9 trillion? Can anyone seriously believe, in seven years Bush turned a surplus into recession with millions of working-class Americans losing their jobs and homes?SCOTT TISTHAMMER, BoiseExtend tax incentives to renewable energy industry
Extending the investment and production tax incentives for the renewable energy industry that will otherwise expire this year - and cause the industry to crash - is essential. They should be included in the current stimulus package.Regarding wind energy, the Idaho Department of Water Resources states, “The amount of available wind power far exceeds all of the developed hydro generation in the state. California has over 2,000 MW of installed capacity representing around $2 billion of total capital investments and serious power generation capacity. Idaho as of the summer of 2005 had just over 10 MW total developments.” Wind and geothermal are getting some minimal attention in the Idaho IRP.Regarding solar during peak needs:- June, July, August are the most productive solar months.- Daily afternoon and evening peak hours are the most productive solar hours.- Doesn’t need cooling water to operate in heat like nuclear and other thermal power generation.- Solar photovoltaic panels provide automatic shade for cooling (parking lots, rooftops, etc.).- Solar PV is almost completely environmentally benign (re: greenhouse gases, wasted heat, wastes, and non-mechanical to boot)(panels last 35-50 years). Idaho desperately needs tax incentives for all renewables.MARK HANAWALT, BoiseArticle on free tax filing was not totally accurate
The tax time article by Eileen Putman was good reading. I do think the idea of free filing through the IRS site was not totally accurate. My daughter, using my computer, went to the Turbo Tax site on the IRS web search results. A single mother ended up being charged near $90 for her filing. I later went to that same site and a few others and the key is “Federal Return and e-file” free. Do a state filing, they charge you, e-file a state and they charge you more. I think the deceptive wording at some of these sites is a very poor representation of corporate help offered to a few people trying to file and do the right thing. TurboTax will make a nice profit from unsuspecting filers because I could have bought the same service for $40/$50 on a disc. You would do a good service if you made this information clearer for the public.HARRY STEVENS, Meridian