By Jason Swensen Church News staff writer
The sisters of the Lyman Wyoming Stake Relief Society presidency arrived early for the March 28 General Relief Society training in the Tabernacle. With a few hours to spare they headed across the street to wander through City Creek Center, Salt Lake City's long-anticipated and newest shopping destination.
The indoor-outdoor shopping center that greeted the Wyoming sisters was just days removed from its grand opening. The First Presidency participated in the March 22 ceremonial ribbon cutting at City Creek Center. President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, also greeted and shook hands with several shoppers anxious to look about and enjoy the bustling shopping center with its various outdoor features and wide-range selection of shops and stores.
The City Creek Center was built and opened through a partnership of City Creek Reserve Inc. — a real estate development arm of the Church — and Taubman Inc. — the owner of the retail portion of the project.
President Eyring spoke on behalf of the Church at Thursday's ceremony, saying City Creek Center is now open to invite the world to come to downtown Salt Lake City — headquarters of the Church. "Everything that we see around us is evidence of the long-standing commitment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Salt Lake City," he said. "Downtown, thanks to so many, is indeed rising."
Currently, there are 92 stores occupying the center with three more retailers under contract and expected to open later this year. The center's retail and dining portion includes several outdoor features, including walkways, a pedestrian bridge over Main Street and a winding creek. Other dignitaries involved in Thursday's opening included Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Utah Governor Gary Herbert.
The new shopping center will be closed on Sundays, as it occupies Church-owned land.
Bishop H. David Burton, the Church's presiding bishop, told the Deseret News that it's hoped that the "return" of the City Creek project "comes from the community, the preservation of our heritage, our legacy in the downtown area and all that it means to a culture such as ours." He added that it's vital to create an atmosphere in Salt Lake City that people like and remember. "Because Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah, it's important that it is 'dressed appropriately.' "
The Wyoming Relief Society sisters said they were thrilled with Salt Lake City's latest commercial development.
"It's awesome and gorgeous — and it's so convenient for people visiting Temple Square," said Charlyn Bluemel.
Geralyn Powers added that the City Creek Center helps beautify downtown Salt Lake City and enriches any visit to Church headquarters.
