Business Concerns Stall Plans for New Police Headquarters

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Salt Lake business owners have thrown a last-minute roadblock in front of the Salt Lake City Police Department's plans to build new headquarters. A one-page letter from the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce questions the 192-million dollar price tag for the new building and the planning process for the project. Salt Lake Police Lieutenant Melody Gray says the questions are easy to answer:

"These are questions that we've answered for the City Council over and over," says Lieutenant Gray. "They want to know whether or not the entire project needs to be done all at once. They want to know if we've done engineering studies. And they want cost analysis in terms of what residents and businesses will pay."

Gray doubts the Chamber's concerns will derail plans for the new headquarters, which will require voter approval if approved for the November ballot. Last night the Salt Lake City Council opted to delay their decision another week, giving time for a written response to the Chamber's questions.

The proposed bond would result in a 175-dollar increase in taxes on a 300-thousand dollar home. Chamber of Commerce spokesman Bob Farrington says the letter wasn't meant to stop the bond, but rather slow the process down. He says local business owners are worried about the impact the bond will have on them. And Farrington says the planning process for the bond hasn't been as public as some chamber members think it should be.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW