So long, farewell and thanks for the memories, Sugar House Sizzler

Like a crushed crouton, Sugar House’s monument to a bygone era of steaks and salad bars on one of Salt Lake City’s most scenic corners has returned to dust.

Crews leveled the old Sizzler restaurant at 2111 S. 1300 East this week, clearing the plot at the northwest corner of Sugar House Park. City officials issued the demolition permit April 8.

The site has been the focus of neighborhood anxiety about what could take the place of the long-vacated and now-demolished chain restaurant.

A squabble over a proposal to build a Kum & Go gas station at the corner led the city’s planning commission to veto the plans a year ago.

The commission voted 9-1 to nix the Iowa-based chain’s application for a conditional use permit, citing traffic and environmental concerns, including potential impacts on the park, air quality and secondary water supplies in Parleys Creek.

Uproar over the Kum & Go proposal spurred city officials to revisit rules pertaining to how far new gas stations must be from water sources. The planning commission approved new rules last week and is set to send them to the City Council for a final OK.

Kum & Go was bought last year by FJ Management, the parent company of Salt Lake City-based convenience store chain Maverik.

FJ Management could not immediately be reached for comment on its plans for the site.

Cushman & Wakefield broker Kip Paul said his firm is working to help the company sublet the property to a group that wants to build a hotel. Such a project would require a zoning change.