I have avoided jumping into the whole discussion related to the Public Safety Building (PSB) debate because, frankly, I have not taken the time to properly evaluate the proposals and come to any sort of conclusion.  After doing some research, I am aware of four proposals: 1, 2A, 2B, and 3.

Up to this point, there have been two main sources of opposition: 1) The voters rejected a $200 million bond to build a complex, so clearly the voters don’t want it, and 2) The PSB would take up valuable openspace from the Downtown area. Allow me to address each issue individually.

On the first point. Yes, it is true that the voters of Salt Lake rejected the bond proposal back in 2007…by less than 300 votes. Judging by that alone, we can assume that citizens do in fact see the need to have a centralized office that is able to respond to emergencies in a coordinated manor, they just feel that the price tag is a little too high.  The current proposals range from $100 to $120 million, cutting the price tag in half.  Now I know hardline Republicans will propose any bond measure because they hate government spending (despite this being for the public good), but I am willing to bet that more than 300 “no” voters looked at the cost and said it was too much but are over all in support of a PSB.

On to the second point, and one I feel is a little more hairy.  Two of the four proposals listed above do, indeed, take up openspace by placing the buildings in Library Square.  It should be noted, however, that these two proposals appear to give an overall net gain of openspace to Downtown.  True, the building footprints do cut into current plots, but look at the plazas and greenspace that are created as a sort of land-swap. The other two proposals, being on the other side of 300 East, do create more net openspace as the proposed buildings and plaza footprints currently consist of a hodgepodge of low rise office buildings and parking lots. Keep in mind that these options are much more expensive, however, as we need to factor in the added costs of land purchases, upgrading infrastructure, and, in many cases, building demolition.

I understand the importance of maintaining and improving our public walkways and parks, but I also see the need to create a centralized safety building for both day-to-day and emergency situations. I also know that Mayor Becker values these same spaces highly for their aesthetic, environmental, and social benefits and, as a professional city planner, these spaces should be maintained whenever possible. As mayor, however, Becker must also weigh the broad spectrum of public needs in an attempt to improve the overall quality of life for the citizens of the city.

I, for one, am supportive of any decision the mayor and council formulate in the creation of a PSB, as it is sorely needed in the capitol city.  Though I am not terribly happy about the potential loss of openspace, the overall net increase in “public goods” is, in my mind, much more valuable.

Public meetings and workshops where the Civic Campus vision and Public Safety Complex site options will be discussed are as follows:

•    Saturday, May 30, 2009
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Civic Campus Master Plan Workshop
Salt Lake City Main Library
Main Auditorium
210 East 400 South
Salt Lake City, Utah

•    Monday, June 1, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Public Meeting
Salt Lake City Police Department Pioneer Precinct
1040 West 700 South
Salt Lake City, Utah

•    Tuesday, June 9, 2009 (tentative)
7:00 p.m.
City Council Public Hearing
Salt Lake City & County Building
City Council Chambers
451 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah

The mayors press relese on the PSB can be found here.