The recent American Planning Association announcement which named South Temple in downtown Salt Lake City as a Great American Street should resonate loudly and repeatedly in the minds of city officials and downtown planners as they approach the decision-making time concerning a proposed skywalk for the new City Creek Center.

With this designation — part of a campaign just inaugurated by the national organization to highlight outstanding community planning outcomes — South Temple joins just nine other streets in the United States, including those in Savannah, Santa Fe, New York City, Chicago, and Richmond, Virginia, among others.

The APA took note of the street’s design which has adapted effectively to the changes since its creation in 1847:

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.

As noted previously in this blog, the revitalization of Salt Lake City’s downtown district should incorporate the strengths of elements and characteristics already firmly in place, particularly with enhancing the city’s streetlife activities. A skybridge would be potentially disruptive and destructive to energetic local entrepreneurs.

And, earlier documents — including a 1990 master plan and a 1995 urban design protocol — have endorsed moratoriums on walkways that keep pedestrians from city blocks and that obstruct views of the downtown district. The protocol could be amended for permitting such walkways but only if developers ensure that there are no viable alternatives and that pedestrian activities and observational views would not be obstructed nor interrupted.

In other words, if it can be achieved on South Temple, why not Main Street?