 Some of Salt Lake's citizens, including many in its City Council, had preferred Washington Square, near the City & County Building, or Pioneer Park as the location for the Medals Plaza.Nevertheless, SLOC accepted the Church's offer because they were willing to help pay the costs, and the parking lot was an entire city block in size, which would allow a large number of spectators.Construction on the plaza began December 3, 2001, and the final touches were being finished when the plaza was unveiled to the press on January 25, 2002.