OCR Text |
Show "In My Opinion . . Editor's Note: Since its inception several weeks ago, the polujnn, "In My Opinion . . ." has come in for a good deal of con;mfnt both locally and around the state. This column is designed to give Bulletin readers the opportunity to tell the world what they think about any subject they wish to write on. This week's guest editor, Mr. Horace A. Sorensen, has chosen a subject that hundreds of southeasterners are very much interested in . . . the future use of the old state prison site. Horace Sorensen has been in prominence in this area ever since he came out here some 20 years ago. An inveterate "doer," Mr. Sorensen has been a guiding element in a majority of the community civic undertakings of the past two decades. A past president' of the local Chamber of Commerce, he is at present serving as vice president. He is a past president of the Granite Board of Education and was formerly head of. "the Salt Lake Visiting Nurses' Association. A father of four two 'boys and two girls Mr. Sorensen has always been active in .the affairs of young people. DOLLARS OR DIMES By Horace A. Sorensen We, the people of Utah are now confronted with a decision of vital importance to all of us. The question is: Should we sell out a wonderful heritage or develop it for ourselves and genenations to come ? The Sugar House prison site consisting of 160 acres of available land has been fortunately preserved until it is almost the center of population of Satt Lake City and the State of Utah. No other remaining remain-ing site is so centrally and conveniently located for things to come that will be needed for the future development of the State as a whole. This location is not only on all the cross roads of the state but is at the focal point of interest where the Lincoln Highway reaches into Salt Lake Valley from the East. Down that road travel on the average of 750 out-of-state cars a day. There are those who would naturally like to buy this property for subdividing and commercializing. There are those who would like to .use even parts of" this property for residential and commercial buildings which would blight the area with back yards and other things that would mar the vista of this beautiful spot. To a Legislature who is asked from all sides, for appropriations the amount of money that could be had from the sale of this land perhaps is quite tempting. However, we are not going to be pennywise and pound foolish, even under the stress of post-war adjustments. We, the people, now own this property. It will not cost us a cent to acquire it. If it were sold we would use the funds and after a year's time would never remember what became of them. And, just think of the millions of dollars it would take to reclaim such property later on when it is once occupied. Let us look at the prison site as a capital investment and think of some of the worthwhile things we could do with it as a great State Park. We have no orientation center for the tourists coming into the state; we have no coliseum large enough to house national conventions; conven-tions; we have no place to exhibit the great pioneer treasures fast deteriorating in a scattered condition; we have no war memorial, "all-purpose" building to honor our veterans; we have no open-air bowl for fine entertainments which the contour of this land would beautifully and naturally provide for; as well as many other things which give us renewed vision for future consideration. If this, and other suitable locations are reserved throughout the state while they are available, we would have suitable places to project great promotions for the next twenty years, or until 1968, which year is the Centennial of the driving of the golden spike, and the climax of early pioneering in the state, also deserving of a great state celebration. cele-bration. We are endeed rich in potential values. We have an unparalelled pioneer background of great interest; we have the Great Salt Lake, the Temple Block and the great canyon attractions, and we now have perhaps the largest monument in the world surrounded by a great natural park. But, we do not have a place right in the center of all of this to cash in on it all where tourists and local interests can be coordinated to the benefit of the entire state. People from all over the state have expressed themselvs as liking to come to Salt Lake to enjoy fine things, and we Salt Lakers like to travel into other parts of the state where the natural scenic wonders are to be found. We are a nation of tourists and this state should derive almost ten-fold more revenues from tourist travel than we are now receiving. Compared to other states having far less fine attractions we are way behind because we have not taken advantage of this great latent industry. To sell this priceless land for private promotion would be like trading dimes among ourselves when it could be developed to bring in tourist dollars by the millions which would add much needed new wealth to the state. A great Legislature is. now reviewing a grent pending law known as Senate Bill 20 to reserve and make the entire prison site a state park; a foresighted people are forming a great Foundation to plan, promote and build some of these needed things; state wide organizations organiza-tions are eager to have a place for a home and objective; and millions of tourists anxiously await these developments so they can come here as our friends to enjoy them with us. These tourists look forward to spending a week or more in Utah to see the entire state instead of just a clay's visit in Salt LakeCity as most of them are now doing. Our Pioneer forefathers gave us this land and the veterans of all wars have so courageously defended it for us. It would be a gesture of our appreciation to establish a great Pioneer Memorial Park. The Susxar House prison site presents a real opportunity. |