This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

What He's Accomplished

  • Launched a host of environmental measures from purchasing wind power to changing the water-rate structure to requiring sustainable building materials in new city structures.

  • Strengthened the Police Civilian Review Board to review allegations of police misconduct.

  • Created Salt Lake City International Jazz Festival.

    • Brokered resolution to the Main Street Plaza lawsuit.

  • Launched Salt Lake City Gets Fit Together and Salt Lake City Reads.

  • Won World Leadership Award on environment.

  • Hailed by weekly The Nation as one of eight "progressive city leaders" for tackling greenhouse gases.

  • Praised by Outside Magazine when it listed Salt Lake City as one of its top 10 places to live, work and play in August 2005.

  • Co-hosted with Robert Redford a Sundance Summit on ways to combat global warming.

  • Added orange flags and other pedestrian-friendly measures that make the city a model on ways to improve pedestrian safety.

  • Created grant program for Main Street businesses.

    • Added more parking stalls on 300 South and 300 East.

  • Allowed free parking downtown during the winter holidays.

  • Advanced successful property-tax bond to renovate the old Main Library, improve Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary, design a new sports complex and create an open-space trust fund.

  • Persuaded City Council to add infrastructure improvements to 300 South.

  • Gained approval for a walkable-communities ordinance.

  • Created the city's after-school and summer-school youth programs.

  • Increased number of minorities working at City Hall. They make up 14 percent of the full-time work force, up from 11 percent in 1999. However, the percentage of women has dipped.

  • Successfully pushed a quarter-cent sales tax hike for transit.

    • On Rocky's To-Do List

  • Revitalize downtown with a performing arts center that would include a Broadway-sized theater.

    • Gain approval to bring City Creek to the surface west of The Gateway to link with the Jordan River.

  • Persuade the council to go along with his renovation plans for Pioneer Park.

  • Beautify North Temple and kick-start west-side economic development.

  • Eliminate freight trains from the 900 South Union Pacific rail line.

  • Find permanent funding source for youth programs.

  • Open the Sorenson Unity Center, an outgrowth of the Main Street Plaza resolution.