Why Now?
In 1847, a small band of Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young came over a mountain pass and found the valley they sought. On July 21st, Parley Pratt wrote: "...we could not refrain from a shout of joy, which almost involuntarily escaped from our lips the moment this grand and lovely scenery was within our view." Within days, they had scouted the land for miles around and selected a place for their new city. Young supervised the preparation of the first plat for the Salt Lake Valley, an adaptation of Joseph Smith's "City of Zion Plat."
Since the city's founding 160 years ago, community leaders have gathered to take stock of downtown's development at key moments. In the past 50 years, three influential efforts, as well as today's Downtown Rising, have guided downtown's development history.
Second Century Plan, 1962
As Salt Lake City entered its second century, a group of visionary community leaders, led by the American Institute of Architects, formed the Downtown Planning Association. Pledging to create a new downtown by 1985, the "Second Century Plan" outlined a vision for downtown as the "business, financial, retail, governmental, entertainment, cultural and religious heart of the Intermountain empire." The plan had several proposals that are now a reality, including the Salt Palace Convention Center, farmers market, Main Street Plaza, restored City and County Building and the downtown Federal Building.
Regional and Urban Design Assistance Team, 1988
By the late 1980s, downtown was in need of new energy and focus. A study completed by the American Institute of Architects' Regional and Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) in 1988 called for the community to support a vision for the downtown and pursue it consistently. Among other things, the influential R/UDAT study led to the development of the Delta Center, redevelopment of the Gallivan Center block, placement of the Scott M. Matheson State Courthouse downtown, and establishment of the Downtown Alliance.
Envision Utah Quality Growth Strategy, 1997
The Envision Utah public/private partnership was formed in January 1997 to guide the development of a broadly and publicly supported Quality Growth Strategy - a vision to protect Utah's environment, economic strength and quality of life for generations to come. Five years of scenario analysis, research and involvement from more than 18,000 citizens culminated in the Quality Growth Strategy. The Quality Growth Strategy details strategies to preserve critical lands, promote water conservation and clean air, improve regionwide transportation systems, and provide housing choices for all residents.
Downtown Rising, 2007
A new age of unprecedented investment in the downtown area prompted business leaders, again with the assistance of the American Institute of Architects and many others, to consider the broader implications of an array of significant, but individual, developments. Downtown Rising was created to be the glue to link those disparate parts together in a visionary whole.
Participants in the original Second Century Plan recommended that downtown Salt Lake City become the "heart of the Intermountain empire." They recommended 10 projects, most of which have been implemented. Three leaders from the original plan have advised the Downtown Rising process: Jack Gallivan, Walker Wallace, and Stan Darger.
"If we envisioned it once and achieved it, we can envision it now and achieve it later. I don't see why we should limit ourselves in any way" - Curtis Bennett, VP Retail Operations, O.C. Tanner
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