I like your response to the concerns of Tony Weller. I would just add that parking lot owners should, or could, fall under your response to private property. I only know of one property owner downtown (and they live outside the country) that is just sitting on their property (and has since the 1970′s).

More often than not, parking is not the highest and best use for real estate. The owners of this real estate would develop, if the environment of our city allowed them to make a return on their investment. Everybody, including Tony’s bookstore, is in business to make a return on their investment; such returns being inline with the risk one takes.

Most current owners of land and buildings that can be developed or redeveloped downtown are basing their development plans on supply and demand, not based on subsidies. I feel this is the most responsible way development should progress, both for the developers and for the community.

Vasilios Priskos

As an aside, a questionnaire was sent out by Democracy For Utah, an affiliate of Democracy for America. I am the Political Action chair of this group.

D4U wanted to make a endorsement for the mayoral candidates. Since the race is non partisan , we invited all candidates who wished to be considered for our endorsement to respond. Ralph was the first candidate to respond, as well as being thorough in his answers, D4U has endorsed Ralph Becker for Salt Lake City Mayor.