The story we've been following about the Salt Lake City bailout of NPR station KCPW has hit a snag. The Utah City Council was hoping to bail out the station by giving it a $220,000 low-interest loan. However, attorneys are questioning whether or not the loan would be legal. Seems, perhaps, covering the station's operating expenses may not fall under "redevelopment." The redevelopment fund prohibits loans for non-profits.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, City Councilman Carlton Christensen acknowledged council members had received some criticism for loaning RDA money to KCPW. The council likely wouldn?t have done it if KCPW weren?t an important part of the Library Square development, he said. "If it weren?t for that, I don?t think we would still be looking at it."
The council could approve an exemption for the station. The paper says that's not unprecedented. "Earlier this year, the council approved a "one-time" exception to the fund?s no-nonprofits rule to lend $600,000 to The Leonardo museum after its opening was delayed months by construction problems."
Add a Comment Send This Story To A Friend
