The city’s Redevelopment Agency has been offering tax breaks for developments, as well as support for housing throughout the city with requirements for a percentage to be affordable. City Council members point out the city has made millions in investments to make living in Utah’s capital more affordable.
So while the school board must make the decision about which schools to study for closure, Anderson said, “I want to express that our path was paved by this City Council and the RDA as well as the legislative mandate before us.” All seven council members — Victoria Petro, Alejandro Puy, Chris Wharton, Ana Valdemoros, Darin Mano, Dan Dugan and Sarah Young — supported the statement.
Petro, the council’s vice chair, said it was “disappointing” to hear the comments from board members. She won’t “ever claim that anyone is perfect in the way that they executed,” she said, but she added that the council and city administration are “working diligently to address any issues.”