Salt Lake City is ratcheting up its pressure on a Sugar House developer, threatening legal action if the controversial Granite Block demolition site is not cleaned up and landscaped as promised.

Failure to fill the crater on the corner of 2100 South and Highland Drive - and spruce it up - may force the city to seize the developer's $100,000 bond to help pay for the work.

Inaction "may result in further legal action to obtain compliance," reads a draft letter addressed to Mecham Investments.

The letter from the city's building director notes landscaping was to commence by April 30 if, as is the case, the permit for new construction has not been obtained.

The missive gives Mecham Investments five working days from receipt to respond in writing. The letter is awaiting a final sign-off from city attorneys and is expected to be delivered any day.

Mecham agreed to terms under a landscape ordinance - critics called it a "backdoor" - to get demolition permits late last year. Business owners and neighbors now worry the debris - piled with splintered wood and shattered glass - is a safety hazard.

"Of course, executing the approved landscape plan will require substantial backfilling on the site," the letter reads.

Primary developer Craig Mecham was in meetings today and could not be reached for comment. Asked if he had any response, Mecham Investments representative Russ Callister said, "None. You don't deserve any reaction."

Mayor Ralph Becker acknowledged today the capital is "moving forward with that enforcement action."

Asked if that meant the builders will have to fill the large dirt hole, Becker nodded. "They're going to have to figure something out," he said.

If Mecham's property remains in noncompliance, the mayor said the city will take the $100,000 to launch the landscaping.

Judi Short, a Sugar House Community Council trustee, said she is disappointed in the developer and welcomed the city action.

"Anybody can fall in the hole at night," she said. "It isn't sealed. There's already graffiti on his green fence. And the businesses around there are having trouble staying alive.

"All of us who live and shop in the neighborhood are not anxious to see a big hole in the ground all summer long."

The demolition hang-up stems from a shared wall between a business at 1074 E. 2100 South and the former Blue Boutique shell. Mecham and the neighboring owner have said they are working on a solution.

Even so, Mecham recently noted the flagging economy has him "nervous," hinting his plans to make over the eclectic stretch could be on hold.