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October 2, 2007 Salt Lake City Street True to Its Original Character, Down to Smallest Details SALT LAKE CITY, UT — The American Planning Association (APA) announced today that South Temple Street in Salt Lake City has been designated one of 10 Great Streets for 2007 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value.
"We are honored that the American Planning Association has chosen to honor South Temple Street among the 10 Great Streets in America," said Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. "South Temple has long been a beautiful, outstanding boulevard in our city, with many treasured historical attractions. Our community is proud of South Temple, and gratified it is being recognized as a national landmark." APA selected South Temple Street as one of 10 Great Streets in America for its historical residential design and craftsmanship, diversity of land uses, and the integration of multiple forms of transportation throughout history — as well as commitment on the part of the community to preserve its legacy. APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work everyday. America's truly great neighborhoods are defined by many criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America, APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of essential building blocks of great communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. "We're excited to select South Temple Street as one of this year's Great Streets," said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. "South Temple is testament to the lasting quality and importance of Brigham Young's vision for Salt Lake City and the role of planning in making that vision a reality." As a major east-west corridor, South Temple Street is bounded by a historic residential neighborhood and the University of Utah to the east and the historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot to the west. Running 18 blocks long, the street encompasses everything from a mature tree-lined, mixed use district with historic homes, churches, commercial services, and retail establishments to the city's central business area and downtown. First envisioned in Joseph Smith's Plat of Zion of 1833 and later employed by Brigham Young in 1847, South Temple Street was meant to be the finest and most prominent avenue in Salt Lake City. As mining became an economic powerhouse in Utah, the wealthiest families built their mansions along South Temple. However, South Temple's history has not been all grandeur. It ebbed and flowed as shifts in economics and style encouraged demolition of the older, more traditional buildings for new and incompatible development. In the 1960s and 1970s the community began fighting this trend and designated South Temple as Utah's first local historic district. Resident protected historic buildings and mansions as well as the smaller features, such as carriage steps, hitching posts, and sandstone retaining walls. Recognizing that the street needed to stay relevant to succeed, the city approved adaptive reuse zoning ordinances so offices, nursing homes, clinics, and other compatible uses could occupy many of the large residences and former mansions. From accommodating carriages and streetcars to eventually automobiles, its width continues to allow for varied forms of transportation. Sidewalks with parking strips, bike lanes, and car lanes with compatible speed limits make up the residential areas; buses, cars, and two light rail stations complement the downtown section. Mature shade trees serve as buffers from the street and create a safe and enjoyable pedestrian experience along South Temple. The nine other APA Great Streets for 2007 are Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia; Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Delmar Loop, University City and St. Louis, Missouri; Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts; Monument Avenue, Richmond, Virginia; North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois; Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida; 125th Street, Harlem, New York City; and St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana. For more information about these streets, and the list of APA's 10 Great Neighborhoods for 2007, visit www.planning.org/greatplaces. This year's 10 Great Streets and Great Neighborhoods will be celebrated as part of APA's National Community Planning Month in October 2007, designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities. For more about National Community Planning Month, visit www.planning.org/ncpm. Contacts |
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