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Show 'I ( I I s ' I Sugar House redevelopment raises questions Developers maintain hole in the ground will be filled Rob Holcombe StaffWriter Be careful when you are walking around the Sugar House area. Something strange seems to be happening. In January, close to an entire city block at the intersection of 2100 South and Highland Drive disappeared. Almost as strange as crop circles in cornfields is the giant mysterious hole in the ground where such loveable shops as Sugar House coffee, Pibs Exchange, and Orion Music used to be. Of course, it would be foolish to believe that aliens abducted the local coffee shop along with the rest of the block. But since there are no signs posted around the hole signaling who the culprit really is, its nice to have someone to blame for the unsightly corner. "Eric Nelson of Red Mountain said his plans would see '90 to 95 percent' of the area's buildings renovated but remaining where they are." Deseret News If it wasnt aliens or some type of C4 explosion that leveled the block, then what was it? ' Landowners, including Craig Mecham Man- . Red Mountain agement and California-base- d Retail Group, have decided that they need to upgrade the area. However, according to an article in x the Deseret Morning News, Eric Nelson of Red Mountain said his plans would see 90 to 95 percent of the areas buildings renovated but remaining where they are. So if 90 percent of the buildings are supposed to stay where they were, then where did they all go? It is possible that Sugar House has become yet other fallen victim of corporate America. an- "I am very partial to Sugar House. I've had my office in Sugar House for thirty years. My Grandfather was one of the original founders of Sugar House. I want to revitalize and maintain the great character." Craig Mecham Even with the change, Mecham thinks that some of the current tenants will move back after construction of the new block is finished. However, this is unlikely. The rent of the new stores will be $50 per square-fo- ot at street level according to the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). The rate is four to five times higher than rent before the project. At such .and a price, stores like Starbucks, Williams-Sonom- a other national chains may be the only ones able to afford to reside in the new Sugar House. ; Other stores, like Banana Republic, Pottery Barn and California Pizza Kitchen, are scheduled to compliment the Old Navy and Rubios of the Commons j across the street. Additional plans for the development include four to five stories of condominiums and a parking structure, which will open to 2100 South. The development may spark traffic problems in the already congested block. When asked, many of those who worked on the old block call the new development depressing. Ted McDonough, of AMIBA, insistent that the company is trying to maintain the character of Sugar House. In an interview with utahstories.com, McDonough revealed that he would be taking great pains to design the new building after photographs of original buildings from 1927. Why then, is there still a giant hole in the ground? According to utahstories.com, Mecham, the land-ownsaid that there have been many delays to the demolition and building due to the planning commission and the city. As of September, the city still wanted to conduct at least two more public forums before approver, ing the plans for Mechams project. While many remain skeptical of the project, Mecham told utahstories, I am very partial to Sugar House. Ive had my office in Sugar House for thirty years. My Grandfather was one of the original founders of Sugar House. I want to revitalize and maintain the great, character. Because the buildings have already been crushed and . the local businesses pushed out, the only thing to do is wait. Wait to see if this giant hole in the ground wall someday be able to fill the hole that resides in Sugar House loyal hearts. i Column: Heightened security deters foreign visits Alex Sanders The Daily Campus (U. Connecticut) 47 The principle of the system is flawed. Governply an unjust system. Recently, the British singer, ment collection of all of someones fingerprints Amy Winehouse, was denied access to the U.S. to invades privacy. The government can already read attend the Grammy Awards. Initially, the TSA said listen to your phone conversations and it was because of her admitting to her use of illeyour look at your bank statements, all in the name of gal drugs, including in songs like Rehab. Howprotecting America. While security is a great idea, ever, The New York Times reports that recently, this is getting excessive. If terrorists come to attack the heads of arts organization said that Winehouse, the U.S., they probably have not been fingerprinted among other artists, was denied for another reason. The real problem, they said, is the time, money for crime in the past. Terrorist attacks are not small acts, if a person or group is going to commit an act and complexity involved in getting visas for lower-profi- le le as that, they are going as serious and artists, including dancers, singers, musicians to do research and know that there is a fingerprint and actors. ail, (U-WIR- E) STORRS, Conn. - America is gradually turning into an uninviting fortress fraught with heightened security and keep out signs. This past week, customs laws for foreign airline passengers changed. Customs now requires 10 fingerprints rather than the previous two. The process is just as simple as before. If airline security scans the tavelers fingerprints and finds that he is not, in fact, a terrorist or criminal, he is free to move on. The problem with a heightened security system is that it seems unnecessary. Fingerprinting is a fine idea, but why do they need all 10 prints? Many people would not go as far as faking fingerprints on two out of 10 of their fingers to trick the Transportation Security Administration. It seems like the biometric fingerprint scan is doing far more to deter in- nocent people from visiting America than protecting America from terrorists. It is more often heard in the news that innocent people are turned away terrorists are at airport checks than caught there. Also, there is no explanation for switching to a more bomb-wieldi- ng complex fingerprinting system. There was no heightened security alert, no recent news of bombings, at least in the United States and no probable cause to take every single fingerprint from a foreign traveler. high-profi- system. The system may be beneficial for America by preventing drug dealers, illegal immigrants or fugitives from entering the country. But as national security goes, it will not protect us from people who can do severe damage to the U.S. Also, not everyone is subjected to the 10 fingerprint process. According to The New York Times, officials said that the system would apply to the 80 percent of foreign nationals who are required to carry visas and are between the ages of 14 and 79. Diplomats and a few others are exempt. Aside from travelers with American passports, who else is exempt? And also, why are diplomats and politicians exempt from the system? Congress members, for example, dont all have clean records. There are drug, prostitution and crime records that are all in existence. That is sim "The real problem is the time, money and complexity involved in getting visas for lower-profil-e artists, including dancers, singers, musicians and actors." The New York Times This system is ridiculous. People should be fingerprinted when initially applying for visas. If the airline system discriminates, it is not nearly foolproof. For instance, the system only applies to people up to 79 years old. Osama Bin Laden is 51 years old and he is in hiding for leading people who commit heinous acts. On his 79th birthday, he will not simply stop and consider his feelings towards America, re- Continued on page 12 9 APRIL 8, 2008 j |