Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church believe they were misunderstood in their recent decision to destroy five units of a low-income apartment complex adjacent to the Holy Trinity Cathedral downtown.
The decision was criticized by Salt Lake officials, who said it adds to a citywide housing crisis, and by residents of the apartment complex. The apartments will be leveled to make room for a warehouse adjacent to the cathedral.Church officials had remained quiet about their decision. But in a statement released Thursday, they said several facts are being overlooked.
The statement said the church:
- Is demolishing only five of 65 units. The rest will remain.
- Is not sending all five displaced tenants to the streets. Only three still needed a new home as of Nov. 30. The church has two vacancies in the complex, meaning the demolition may cause only one tenant to look elsewhere.
- Has made every attempt possible to help the affected tenants, giving them a 70-day notice rather than the legally required 15 days.
- Is in desperate need of the expansion project, which will increase safety for people using the church facilities.
Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini had offered the church $55,000 to remodel the apartments so a warehouse could be built around them. An architect for a nonprofit agency also offered to design alternatives. Church leaders rejected the offers.