Main Street Merchants Can Now Make Plans

None by KCPW

Timeline and Details for LDS Mall "A Relief"

(KCPW News) More than anything, merchants along Main Street say they are relieved to finally have a clear timetable for the LDS Church's downtown development plans. Sam Weller's Bookstore owner Tony Weller says now he can start making his own plans:

"Folks in the downtown area have been waiting for this to figure out what they're going to do with various properties or developments," says Weller. "I think it will act as a catalyst to those who have been dragging their feet."

Weller says he and others along Main Street are very worried about the impact construction and congestion will have on business. And if a bookstore is part of the new mall, he may face some additional competition. But, Weller says overall he's very optimistic about the Church's plans:

"During the meeting I made lists of the things I thought were good about the project and the things that concerned me about it," says Weller. "And I have to say the positives tripled the worries."

Weller says the more than five-thousand new parking stalls and the walkability of the new development are big positives. He does worry that some locally-owned businesses will be displaced during construction and not be able to afford rents in the new upscale mall.

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