SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A Utah city is cracking down on crime with something positive. Neighbors are glad to see change coming their way.
The City of South Salt Lake is trying to bring life back to an area abandoned for years. There will be new retail stores and even a community park for families to enjoy.
2100 South is a busy street. The TRAX Central Pointe Station is a popular drop off site, but this is mostly an underdeveloped section of the city. “Some of the buildings are nice and historic, but then others are run down,” said Crystal Wellington, a neighbor.
The city hopes to improve its image with a 200 acre renewal project. It will shed new light in a neighborhood left in the dark and riddled with crime. In the last four years, police have been cracking down on crime. It seems to be working. “South Salt Lake crime has dropped this last year another 9 percent,” commented Cherie Wood, Mayor for South Salt Lake.
“Believe it or not this street is a pretty safe place,” said Roger Shepard, who lives in the area.
Many neighbors are welcoming the new retail space with open arms. “I think it would be great. I'm looking for work right now. If it can put in more businesses, then it would create more jobs,” said Wellington.
Others are skeptical. “Because it's in South Salt Lake. I don't think it will work,” commented Shepard.
People may change their minds once the buildings start going up and they see new fields for sports activities and a spray ground for the kiddos. “The first phase you'll see 150 thousand square feet of retail space,” said Mayor Wood.
The buildings that will be taken down will go through a green demolition process, so a lot of the material will be recycled and re-used.
