Connecting the Main Street malls with a sky bridge or by other means may be an added perk to shoppers once they arrive, but physical renovations alone may not be enough to bring them downtown.
According to a Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll, respondents were ambivalent about whether a sky bridge would attract more shoppers to the beleaguered downtown malls. While many of those polled said they thought it was a good idea, they were divided when asked if a sky bridge would increase their inclination to shop at the malls.
At Crossroads Plaza Friday, Ogden resident Aurow Page said connecting the malls wouldn't be enough to draw him downtown but it would make his shopping experience more enjoyable once he arrived.
"It would make it more convenient, so that's a great idea," Page said. "It would make a difference in the winter months, especially, and also with the panhandlers outside."
The sky bridge concept was introduced by AEW Capital Management, the firm retained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to redesign the Crossroads Plaza and ZCMI Center malls. The church's purchase of Crossroads is expected to close within weeks. It already owns ZCMI Center.
Ron Pastore, AEW's project leader on the mall redesign, has said the sky bridge and any other concepts that the church has shown businesses and other organizations affected by the renovation are preliminary and subject to change.
So far, response by businesses, city officials and shoppers has been mixed.
The poll, conducted Aug. 19-21 by Dan Jones & Associates, surveyed 415 Salt Lake City residents. Of those who responded, 34 percent said they strongly favor building a pedestrian sky bridge between Crossroads Plaza and ZCMI Center. Another 31 percent said they "somewhat favor" building the bridge, while 20 percent either somewhat or strongly oppose the proposal. The remainder either didn't know or said it "depends."
A second question inquired whether a sky bridge or other method of connecting the malls would increase a respondent's inclination to shop downtown. While 37 percent answered "definitely" or "probably," 55 percent answered "probably not" or "definitely not." The remainder said it depends, or they weren't sure.
At the ZCMI Center Friday, Bountiful resident Katherine Thompson said while a pedestrian sky bridge or other renovations would spark some initial interest in the malls, it's not enough.
"I think it would help more if they added some restaurants, and some better stores," Thompson said. "Not even bigger stores, just cooler ones. I think a sky bridge would help, but they definitely need help with the stores. It just isn't enough."
More than physical renovations, more than improved parking or huge department stores, Thompson said the malls' dwindling tenant mix is the reason she only makes it downtown "about once a month."
The church and AEW stressed again that any design concepts are still in their infancy.
"Redevelopment planning for the ZCMI and Crossroads malls is still in the conceptual stage," said church spokesman Dale Bills. "It is too soon to comment on any particular design element."
E-MAIL: jnii@desnews.com