Why this deafening silence from the LDS Church on the revitalization of Salt Lake City?

Speakers at the Capital Revitalization Zone public hearings included representatives from several potentially affected organizations: the convention center, the Utah Symphony, chambers of commerce, the Buddhist temple, UMOCA, a former mayor, small businesses and more.

One group was conspicuous by its absence. The LDS Church is one of the city’s largest landowners. It owns, has developed (in a spirit similar to the previous revitalization), or has implicitly acknowledged plans to develop four of the seven blocks that form a “horseshoe” around the proposed revitalization area. As such, the Church should proactively make its position known and answer many natural questions.

Is the Church still “happy” with the direction the plans are taking? What is its position on the impact of the proposed tax increase on the poor, widows and orphans, the homeless and other disproportionately affected groups? Does the Church, which donated the land for Abravanel Hall, think it should be renovated or rebuilt? What is its view on using public funds to create more bars downtown? What is its position – as a frequent advocate for religious freedom – on how the freedoms of the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Church of Christ should be treated? Why – unlike its previous City Creek development – ​​is the Church not taking a more active or visible role now?

The LDS Church’s legal counsel’s opinion, given the proliferation of lawsuits over the use of taxpayer funds to fund City Creek, might explain its quiet invisibility. However, “sharing is caring,” and sharing with its Salt Lake City neighbors the Church’s position on the revitalization area would be an easy way for the Church to show its Salt Lake City neighbors that kind of love. Better yet, the tax-exempt Church could dig into its very deep pockets to cover its fair share and provide relief to its tax-paying neighbors.

Scott Johnson, Sandy

Submit a letter to the editor