A number of critics opposed the sky-bridge, which was built to funnel shoppers through the development.
The critics included many South-end merchants who expressed concern that the sky-bridge would divert traffic from street-level stores adjacent to the development.
They state a similar result occurred thirty years ago after the construction of the two malls that City Creek replaced, during which longtime merchants such as Auerbachs, Paris Company, Wolfs, and Broadway Music all closed shop and either relocated or went out of business.

Some observers felt City Creek Center was an inappropriate project for the LDS Church.
 They argued that the high investment in consumerism and promoting conspicuous consumption neglected religious principles, and instead suggested that funds would be better spent on community resources, welfare services, or humanitarian outreach.
 Others disagreed, saying the Center brought jobs and beauty to the downtown, and the LDS Church had a duty to uplift properties near Temple Square and invest its private, commercial revenues.
 The LDS Church has stated that no tithing money was used for construction of the complex, with the project financed through the church's commercial real-estate arm, Property Reserve, Inc.
In 2008, the Sierra Club issued a report of environmentally responsible actions taken by communities of faith in each state.
 It cited the LDS Church's development of City Creek as one of the 60 pilot projects selected to finalize the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certification process.
A number of critics opposed the sky-bridge, which was built to funnel shoppers through the development. The critics included many South-end merchants who expressed concern that the sky-bridge would divert traffic from street-level stores adjacent to the development. They state a similar result occurred thirty years ago after the construction of the two malls that City Creek replaced, during which longtime merchants such as Auerbachs, Paris Company, Wolfs, and Broadway Music all closed shop and either relocated or went out of business.
Some observers felt City Creek Center was an inappropriate project for the LDS Church.  They argued that the high investment in consumerism and promoting conspicuous consumption neglected religious principles, and instead suggested that funds would be better spent on community resources, welfare services, or humanitarian outreach.  Others disagreed, saying the Center brought jobs and beauty to the downtown, and the LDS Church had a duty to uplift properties near Temple Square and invest its private, commercial revenues.  The LDS Church has stated that no tithing money was used for construction of the complex, with the project financed through the church's commercial real-estate arm, Property Reserve, Inc.
In 2008, the Sierra Club issued a report of environmentally responsible actions taken by communities of faith in each state.  It cited the LDS Church's development of City Creek as one of the 60 pilot projects selected to finalize the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) certification process.
City Creek Center