At least one local business organization doesn't think Nu Skin International is all wet for wanting to place a fountain in front of its new building.
The Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce board voted unanimously last week to support the fountain. The vote came after the chamber received a memo from a member of the Association of Involved Merchants asking it to oppose the project. AIM members said downtown businesses can't afford to lose the parking spaces the fountain would displace."We felt like the beauty of the fountain would by far offset the loss of 12 lousy parking places," said chamber President Steve Densley. Densley said the 320-car Nu Skin parking terrace, the 220-stall Town Square parking structure and another ground-level Nu Skin lot would cover the loss of parking on Center Street.
"My hat's off to (Nu Skin). I think that's great if they're willing to spend money to do that," Densley said. "We need every advantage we could get in downtown Provo."
The chamber believes the fountain will attract people who will then patronize downtown businesses.
AIM doesn't dispute that, but the organization wants the parking issue dealt with. Walton said the loss of 12 spaces is a minor problem.
Parking downtown in the coming weeks could be more difficult than usual in the coming weeks.
US WEST telephone crews will tear up Center Street near One Provo Center, 100 W. Center, to run telephone cables to the new building. Dave Graves, city traffic engineer, said the city is requiring the phone company to do the work before and after business hours to minimize the impact on downtown shoppers and merchants.
The construction work is to be done before a downtown sale Sept. 13 and 14.
Also, the parking terrace at the Excelsior Hotel will be closed until Sept. 9 for resealing and repainting.