SUGAR HOUSE, Utah - Construction officially began Monday for the highly anticipated Sugar House Monument Plaza, to be located on 2100 South and Highland Drive.
The $2.5 million undertaking will become an acre of open public space, with rows of trees, landscaping, bike parking, art elements, tables and chairs. The historic Sugar House Monument fountain will also be reactivated.
Ben Davis, the project's manager, said community members on multiple levels are on board with the venture.
"We immediately reached out to adjacent business owners, community members, the chamber, [and] the community council," Davis said Monday.
While many neighborhood businesses have shown enthusiasm for the project, Davis said, others express concern over how the four-month construction period will affect their business.
Restaurant owners in the area don't want loud construction noise to detract from the atmosphere they provide their customers.
"It doesn't look like it's too bad yet. Hopefully they don't start drilling and making a bunch of noise because we've got a lot of people that like to sit on the patio," said Ross Gallahan, the assistant manager of a nearby Flat Bread Neapolitan Pizzeria.
Project organizers said they're aware of such concerns and will be as considerate as possible of local business owners and residents.
"The business owners are excited -- they understand that with the construction there will be impact and we're working our hardest, and we're working with them to minimize those impacts as reasonably as we can," Davis said.
City officials said they anticipate that the project will be completed by December, before the holiday season.
