The Story of Karma and the Firm that Wouldn't Bow to Mormon
Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 12:06 am
Jesus.
From the beginning of the City Creek Center Project, it had been the desire of Gordon B. Hinckley, that the Revitalization of the "Blighted" area south of Temple Square be a "Bold and Beautiful" declaration of the Prosperity, Power and Prestige of the Mormon Church and serve as a gathering place where all can come and see the splendor of the "Lords only True Church."
For the grand plans, the removal of all the structures from State Street west to West Temple and south one block would have to be completed prior to the start of the project. This meant the destruction of the ZCMI Mall, Crossroads Mall, The Inn at Temple Square and of course the original Key Bank Building, a perfectly sound building that could have been renovated (even a spokesman for the Mormon Church admitted the only reason for its destruction was that it did not fit the concept for City Creek - In other words money was spent to destroy a perfectly good building).
Now to the Story of Karma and the Firm.
Utah Woolen Mills has been in its current location since 1979 when the Mormon Church made them move from their original location due the development of the Crossroads Mall.
Well, here comes the Mormon Church again wanting Utah Woolen Mills to move for the City Creek Center. The reason for the destruction of the building? It did not "fit" the vision of City Creek Center and like the Key Bank Building, had to go. The Mormon Church did every thing in their power to once again displace Utah Woolen Mills. This time, the family said NO! We see no reason to move. This really pissed off the Mormon Church and its leaders. THEY MUST GO! was the battle cry. Well, even though the Mormon Church owns the building that Utah Woolen Mills is in, an agreement was finally reached between the Mormon Church and Utah Woolen Mill by which the firm can stay.
NOW for the Inside story. The Reason that the Utah Woolen Mills building had to go is because it has a brick facade. The New Condominiums that surround the Utah Woolen Mills building were originally designed to have a French Limestone facade. Well the Limestone facade priced in at $40.00 per square foot. That was to rich for even the rich Mormon Church. So a Chinese Granite was selected at $28.00 per square foot. Once again, too much money for the rich Mormon Church. Finally, a facade was found that was in the price range of the frugal Mormon Church leaders, BRICK at $12.00 per square foot. THAT'S RIGHT, the Mormon Church wanted to destroy a Brick building because it would clash with their precious Stone Facade Condominiums, only to cover those Condominiums with BRICK!
From the beginning of the City Creek Center Project, it had been the desire of Gordon B. Hinckley, that the Revitalization of the "Blighted" area south of Temple Square be a "Bold and Beautiful" declaration of the Prosperity, Power and Prestige of the Mormon Church and serve as a gathering place where all can come and see the splendor of the "Lords only True Church."
For the grand plans, the removal of all the structures from State Street west to West Temple and south one block would have to be completed prior to the start of the project. This meant the destruction of the ZCMI Mall, Crossroads Mall, The Inn at Temple Square and of course the original Key Bank Building, a perfectly sound building that could have been renovated (even a spokesman for the Mormon Church admitted the only reason for its destruction was that it did not fit the concept for City Creek - In other words money was spent to destroy a perfectly good building).
Now to the Story of Karma and the Firm.
Utah Woolen Mills has been in its current location since 1979 when the Mormon Church made them move from their original location due the development of the Crossroads Mall.
Well, here comes the Mormon Church again wanting Utah Woolen Mills to move for the City Creek Center. The reason for the destruction of the building? It did not "fit" the vision of City Creek Center and like the Key Bank Building, had to go. The Mormon Church did every thing in their power to once again displace Utah Woolen Mills. This time, the family said NO! We see no reason to move. This really pissed off the Mormon Church and its leaders. THEY MUST GO! was the battle cry. Well, even though the Mormon Church owns the building that Utah Woolen Mills is in, an agreement was finally reached between the Mormon Church and Utah Woolen Mill by which the firm can stay.
NOW for the Inside story. The Reason that the Utah Woolen Mills building had to go is because it has a brick facade. The New Condominiums that surround the Utah Woolen Mills building were originally designed to have a French Limestone facade. Well the Limestone facade priced in at $40.00 per square foot. That was to rich for even the rich Mormon Church. So a Chinese Granite was selected at $28.00 per square foot. Once again, too much money for the rich Mormon Church. Finally, a facade was found that was in the price range of the frugal Mormon Church leaders, BRICK at $12.00 per square foot. THAT'S RIGHT, the Mormon Church wanted to destroy a Brick building because it would clash with their precious Stone Facade Condominiums, only to cover those Condominiums with BRICK!
