Will "heart of local Utah" go corporate?
September 21th, 2007

Owner/Developer Craig Mecham answers questions posed by Utah Stories and Sugar House community.

	Watch Interview Craig Mecham is redeveloping the Sugar House Granite Block

Craig Mecham agreed to speak to Utah Stories and talk about the debate and issues surrounding the Granite Block redevelopment. Mecham expressed how he doesn't understand the public reaction to the project. And said the Sugar House redevelopment project "will not become another Gateway, there will be nothing generic about it..we aren't trying to copy Gateway." Mecham further expressed that their desire is to retail essence of Sugar House and not to trade local character for chain stores.

	Sugarhouse 1927: View looking West on 2100 South. Craig Mecham says his project will increase property values in the area and "revitalize Sugar House"

Mecham then lead us to another room in his soon to be demolished office. On display were the photographs and plans for the project. Mecham intends to "maintain the character of Sugar House," by mimicking the styling of the buildings after the original buildings that existed prior to the years of prior remodeling projects and neglect. Mecham says that he is achieving this goal by working with his architect from photographs of the original buildings, from 1927. The front retail facade will retain the large glass windows facing the street. The windows will be recessed. The facade will be entirely brick.

Mecham went on to address the traffic concerns over the already very congested 2100 South. Mecham showed how Wilmington Street will be reopened and will alleviate traffic that currently congests 2100 South, this will open up a new coridor to 1300 East. "shoppers will be able to avoid 2100 South entirely. To accomodate all of the new residents, retail space and office buildings Mecham has planned to have parking underneath the entire expanse of the development.

We then asked Mecham why the project hasn't started. Mr. Mecham told us that he has already had many delays in beginning demolishing and starting the project from both the planning commision and the city. The city has said that they will conduct two more public forums before they will approve his plans.

Sugar House Coffee, on the corner of 2100 South and Highland Drive, is still full of patrons who have great pessimism over the project. Many of those who are in the greatest opposition are High School students or young men and women in their early twenties. These students are generally fearful of the block becoming "dominated by corporations," said Tim Judea. Other patrons blame Capitalism. [this project is] "prosperity at a cost of what?... What good has capitalism ever brought? It always comes with a price," said one local teen.

	" Coming to Sugar House is like taking a step outside of Utah." Watch interview

Mecham refutes these opinions and statements by telling us of his great devotion to Sugar House. "I am very partial to Sugar House...Ive had my office in Sugar House for thirty years...My Grandfather was one of the original founders of Sugar House...I want to revitalize and maintain the great character of Sugar House." Mecham however, strongly opposes the idea for the city to pass an ordinance limiting his retail space to only to local merchants. "I believe that is unconstitutional.. I don't believe the government in anyway should subsidize or offer tax benefits to local merchants...They need to start small and compete in the marketplace, just like everyone else." On the same token Mecham does not believe that corporate chain stores "should be enticed," into building their stores in communities.

	Another view of Sugarhouse from 1927 . Picture is the former small market the Piggly Wiggly. This is a view of the South-side of 2100 South. Where the boarded up Wizards and Dreams and Corumba night club are today.

	Why are they tarring down my neighborhood? Watch Interview