Page 2 - Dee Brewer News Today

Open Streets, a Salt Lake initiative that turns downtown Main Street into a walkable promenade, returns this weekend with more changes.

Foot Traffic

You can't keep a good idea down in Salt Lake City, especially one as popular as turning down streets into an open-air pedestrian mall.

This spring, foot traffic in downtown Salt Lake City reached 139% of pre-pandemic levels. And other cities can learn from its example.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall is advancing a plan to permanently close a chunk of Main Street to vehicle traffic, transforming the area from South Temple to 400 South into a pedestrian mall.

Downtown activity in Utah's capital city is far greater than it was even before the pandemic, according to some reports. While parts of the local economy still struggle, tourism has roared back.

Salt Lake City government and business leaders say the city is quickly becoming a destination for shopping, dining, bars and entertainment.

Capital Offense

Business owners on Main Street in Salt Lake City and 25th Street in Ogden are affected by drug use which is a complex issue to resolve.

Office vacancies may be soaring, but downtown Salt Lake City's nightlife is on an upswing.