Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[delts145]

Thanks for posting that interview WeST, I really enjoyed it. Among several things that he mentioned, I noticed that he pushed the need for a new convention hotel several times.

[utahboozer]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

I was over vistiting

http://www.thestreet.com/

and right on their homepage they have the following article:



Wells Fargo Credit Book in the Spotlight

Wells Fargo unveils its second-quarter results Wednesday in an environment in which investors are scrutinizing the deteriorating credit quality at banks.

thought it was kinda cool that they used our wells fargo building in the photo.

Hey, that pic looks familiar.

[delts145]

Poll: Salt Lake City residents favor public-safety complex

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705318534/Poll-SLC-residents-favor-complex.html

A majority of Salt Lake City residents would vote to bond for a new public-safety complex, according to a city poll conducted late last month and released Wednesday.

Fifty-eight percent of voters said they would support the $125 million bond issue, clearing the way for a public-safety headquarters and emergency-operations center downtown...

.

[East2Westback]

Everyone talks about the elderly and senior citizens and while it may be so, I think it is so much BS.

The reality is the future. To seek high rise apartment lifeis way cool. If you are lucky enough to live there is one thing but to know that the potential to live in an isolated area that is so close tothe downtown is way cool.

It is not going to for the elderly much longer. The concept is not unusual. Look at Honolulu and Seattle. These cities have the same spatial concept. That being that you can have an urban vibe of residence outside the core. That is an accepted norm in NYC.

To have those views and and the access to the core is excellent. Not everyone wants intimate downtown relativity. In SLC, you are lucky that the potential exists. As SLC grows like a mother ------,you will feel the value.

Urban settings grow together. What seems isolated and out of context will become valuable,

While many see this area as isolated, you will soon see that this kind of condo placement will be desired and sought after.

SLC is going to seriously grow. As I see in NYC, you will see these areas become integrated. The use of this type of area will be desired and used.

Sandy etc type places, in my opinion, tend to smear the urban asthetic. What happened 20 plus years ago just foretold the potential of the overall SLC could be.

These areas of construction are urban continuity for people who want the sight lines but who also want urban integration.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by East2Westback

These areas of construction are urban continuity for people who want the sight lines but who also want urban integration.

I'd say the best housing that meets these two requirements would be in downtown high-rise apartment/condo buildings.

[skyguy414]

Article from Utah Division of Housing & Community Development
Link to article: http://housing.utah.gov/news/?p=35

More Affordable Housing for Downtown SLC
July 21st, 2009
124 Affordable Housing Units Coming to Downtown Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY – The Private Activity Bond Board (PAB) authorized $9.8 million in tax exempt bond authority for the construction of 124 units of affordable housing in downtown Salt Lake City during a board meeting held on July 8.

The bonds will help Wasatch Advantage Group construct Providence Place Apartments, a single building project consisting of studio, one and two-bedroom units at 309 East 100 South.

“With the development of the City Creek project and the creation of hundreds of retail jobs in the downtown area, Providence Place Apartments will allow many workers to affordably live near their place of employment,” said Gordon Walker, PAB Chairman and Division of Housing and Community Development Director. “This is an extraordinary project in that the amenities and interior appointments of the development are those you would expect in a Class A housing project.”

Providence Place Apartments will offer an array of amenities including a club house, library and computer room with WI-FI access, secure parking, and a community room. The unit amenities include garbage disposals, air conditioning and balconies.

The Private Activity Bond Authority is Utah’s tax-exempt bonding authority creating a lower cost, long-term source of capital under the Federal Tax Act of 1986. As a result, the federal government allocates over $28 billion per year to states on a per capita basis, with Utah receiving $273,270,000 bond authority in 2009.

The program is managed by the Division of Housing and Community Development under the Utah Department of Community and Culture

[East2Westback]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

I'd say the best housing that meets these two requirements would be in downtown high-rise apartment/condo buildings.

I do not get it. People complain because some mid-rise apartments were built in an incredibly beautiful setting. Are the apartments spectacular? Not really though one has a great visual impact.

I fully understand that high rise condos in a downtown environment is vital to the long term growth and a re-energized Downtown.

No downtown needs all high rise structures unless you live in NYC or SF or other spatially challenged cities. I think that the apartment cluster on the foothills is a very interesting concept.

SLC, for sure, is on the right track. To hear complaints about a cluster of 30 year old apartments is kind of hilarious.

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by skyguy414

[SIZE=1]
Providence Place Apartments will offer an array of amenities including a club house, library and computer room with WI-FI access, secure parking, and a community room. The unit amenities include garbage disposals, air conditioning and balconies.

There seems to be a lot of residential development taking place downtown within the last couple years. Very nice.

[John Martin]

I think the mid-rises suit the area and their purpose just fine. They're not meant for an "urban" lifestyle, they're neighborhoods. The only difference between those buildings and the surrounding suburbs is that they're a bit more vertical.. I don't think anyone who would consider living there is looking to ride mass transit for everything, quite the opposite actually. I'll be they're primarily occupied by people who no longer have the strength or desire to maintain a yard and property. The idea is that it's a quiet, easy place to live, with a good view, but still with a place to put the Buick.

Downtown SLC isn't the place for most people, especially not old folks. In much larger cities, there are areas, like the mouth of Emigration Canyon, that are just neighborhoods. They're just like vertical suburbs, without big businesses and stores mixed everywhere in between. Salt Lake City isn't at that point. Living downtown right now, honestly, I think is kind of a bit of a novelty. There aren't neighborhoods, it's just a crazy mix of practically everything. Mass transit isn't that great, it's only easy to get around downtown because it's so small and boring, and yet driving a car is a nightmare downtown. I'd feel trapped living there. Right now I think the best "urban" (best + urban) place to live would be near downtown, to the northeast. I think that's the best place for urban neighborhoods, and I think that's all they should be focusing on in that area. That way there are still apartments and condos to live in, but it actually feels like a neighborhood. It's also a much better place for children and/or pets, which most people probably want.

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by John Martin

Downtown SLC isn't the place for most people, especially not old folks. In much larger cities, there are areas, like the mouth of Emigration Canyon, that are just neighborhoods. They're just like vertical suburbs, without big businesses and stores mixed everywhere in between. Salt Lake City isn't at that point. Living downtown right now, honestly, I think is kind of a bit of a novelty.

I respect your opinion, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it isn't for "most people". It is for some, isn't for others. Some people like the urban environment, some people like the suburban environment. Nothing wrong with people having different preferences. SLC has a good mix of both urban and suburban living.

As for "old folks" and downtown, there are many older people living downtown in condo and apartment buildings. I work downtown and am in apartment buildings and people's residences all the time, and I'd say the majority of the people who live at American Towers, the Brigham Apartments, and the majority of the condo buildings within 1-2 blocks of Temple Square are people who are retired. Not to mention the 15 story 'Multiethnic Senior Citizen High Rise' on 200 west.

[Zionide]

Originally Posted by John Martin

Salt Lake City isn't at that point. Living downtown right now, honestly, I think is kind of a bit of a novelty. There aren't neighborhoods, it's just a crazy mix of practically everything.

Uh... there aren't neighborhoods downtown??? What about 9th & 9th, Yalecrest (which has 15th & 15th commerce), and Central City/Trolley, just to name a few? They each have central gathering places, commerce, residences, and---most importantly---a sense of community within themselves that is unique to each neighborhood.

There are actually a LOT of senior citizens in downtown SLC. The events at the Liberty Senior Center on 700 South are always packed, and I'd say 80% of those attending walk or ride mass transit to get there---the parking lot is tiny and it's rarely full.

Driving a car downtown isn't a "nightmare" at all, especially now that many of the thoroughfares' traffic lights seem to be synced. Commuter traffic on I-15---THAT is a nightmare. SLC traffic is downright pleasant if you consider what driving is like in other cities this size; thank our wide roads for that.

Really, driving in Sandy and the southwest suburbs (especially around Bangerter) is really where the pain is. Yesterday it took me 30 minutes to go from Redwood Road to Bangerter on 5400 South, and it was only 2:30pm! That's not atypical, either.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by John Martin

I think the mid-rises suit the area and their purpose just fine.... I'll be they're primarily occupied by people who no longer have the strength or desire to maintain a yard and property.

I actually know and/or know of quite a few young people who live in those condo towers near Emigration. It's not all old people.

Originally Posted by John Martin

Downtown SLC isn't the place for most people, especially not old folks.

Up until at least the late '90s, the majority of people living downtown were OLD. I wanted to live downtown and I could only find a handful of the hundreds of apt. bldgs. downtown that weren't reserved for the elderly or disabled. There are like a million little old ladies who live in all the apts. downtown and walk to the SL Temple to do temple work.

I'm not sure if it's quite as reserved for old people as it was in the mid to late '90s, I haven't really checked lately as I've lived in my house for nearly 8 years, but I still see the signs outside of many of the apts. downtown saying they are reserved for the elderly and disabled.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by delts145

Fifty-eight percent of voters said they would support the $125 million bond issue, clearing the way for a public-safety headquarters and emergency-operations center downtown...

How could that be? I was told by a certain forumer who's now left that all Salt Lakers do is bitch and complain about everything and they'd never support the public-safety building. So we should just go ahead and build it on Library Square.

[John Martin]

Originally Posted by Zionide

Uh... there aren't neighborhoods downtown??? What about 9th & 9th, Yalecrest (which has 15th & 15th commerce), and Central City/Trolley, just to name a few? They each have central gathering places, commerce, residences, and---most importantly---a sense of community within themselves that is unique to each neighborhood.

There are actually a LOT of senior citizens in downtown SLC. The events at the Liberty Senior Center on 700 South are always packed, and I'd say 80% of those attending walk or ride mass transit to get there---the parking lot is tiny and it's rarely full.

Driving a car downtown isn't a "nightmare" at all, especially now that many of the thoroughfares' traffic lights seem to be synced. Commuter traffic on I-15---THAT is a nightmare. SLC traffic is downright pleasant if you consider what driving is like in other cities this size; thank our wide roads for that.

Really, driving in Sandy and the southwest suburbs (especially around Bangerter) is really where the pain is. Yesterday it took me 30 minutes to go from Redwood Road to Bangerter on 5400 South, and it was only 2:30pm! That's not atypical, either.

9th and 9th? I would hardly consider areas like those "downtown." Whether they're urban or not because of central gathering places or perceived uniqueness, they're still areas made up mostly of single-family homes. Yalecrest, in my opinion, really isn't any different than any of the other rich suburbs on the east side, I wouldn't call the area "urban" just because of its proximity to downtown (or iow, the part where the tall buildings are..) and age.

I'm not denying that there are old people downtown, that seems to be all there is downtown really, I'm just saying that, for the most part, downtown isn't appropriate for most old people (or people in general, again, if there are restrictions that would cause a person to not want to live there, then I would consider it a poor fit). But, like I already said, there are areas like the northeast, which happen to be between downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods, which are appropriate for urban neighborhoods (i.e. condos and apartments).

I disagree about driving downtown, I think it is difficult and annoying. I was at the light on 4th and main the other day for nearly 5 minutes. That's absolutely ridiculous. I-15 has never bothered me as much as downtown traffic; sometimes it slows down a bit, but so does much of downtown.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by John Martin

I'm not denying that there are old people downtown, that seems to be all there is downtown really, I'm just saying that, for the most part, downtown isn't appropriate for most old people.

Why? I don't see any reason why downtown isn't appropriate for old people and the old people who live downtown obviously don't agree.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by John Martin

I disagree about driving downtown, I think it is difficult and annoying. I was at the light on 4th and main the other day for nearly 5 minutes. That's absolutely ridiculous. I-15 has never bothered me as much as downtown traffic; sometimes it slows down a bit, but so does much of downtown.

One great thing about Downtown Salt Lake City is that the streets are set up in a grid providing multiple choices of routes to take. This set up also disperses traffic, so it's not all funneled on to one congested street. Remember what I said about getting to know Downtown Salt Lake City?...If you know the city well, you know which intersections to avoid. Next time just try a different street.

[John Martin]

Originally Posted by Stenar

Why? I don't see any reason why downtown isn't appropriate for old people and the old people who live downtown obviously don't agree.

Because a lot of old people have passed the point in life where walking everywhere is easy. Maybe they aren't abundant wherever you live, but there are plenty of people who really can't even manage to walk up the stairs of a bus or train everyday, or carry groceries down the block, or cross a really wide street before the light turns green. Sure, they could just drive everywhere, even though there isn't much parking downtown, and is often congested, not exactly a great place for old people to be driving. Or I supposed they could drive to the suburbs for all their groceries and medications, except that would defeat the purpose of living downtown. But then again, unless they intend to walk a lot, there's not much reason to live downtown as opposed to a place like the emigration complex. I'm not saying the old people downtown shouldn't live there, tops to them, it's just that not all old people are those old people.

And no, there isn't always an easy alternative downtown just because there are blocks... there are usually certain roads to take that are most convenient.. because they lead to your destination.. and aren't always traffic free. Traffic depends more on time of day, and a number of other conditional factors, than inherently bad intersections.

[skyguy414]

Again, I disagree with your assessment of living downtown, but that's ok.

As for driving downtown, I avoid driving on 400 S. like the plague unless I am actually going somewhere on 400 S. and even then I won't take it until I get to the block I want. Just because it is an arterial and one of the more popular streets downtown doesn't make it the quickest. The lights on 400 S. are timed to favor the Trax trains. There are many other streets which will get you through downtown quicker, even if you are going a block or two out of the way. Just a tip.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by John Martin

Because a lot of old people have passed the point in life where walking everywhere is easy. Maybe they aren't abundant wherever you live, but there are plenty of people who really can't even manage to walk up the stairs of a bus or train everyday, or carry groceries down the block, or cross a really wide street before the light turns green. Sure, they could just drive everywhere, even though there isn't much parking downtown, and is often congested, not exactly a great place for old people to be driving. Or I supposed they could drive to the suburbs for all their groceries and medications, except that would defeat the purpose of living downtown. But then again, unless they intend to walk a lot, there's not much reason to live downtown as opposed to a place like the emigration complex. I'm not saying the old people downtown shouldn't live there, tops to them, it's just that not all old people are those old people.

And no, there isn't always an easy alternative downtown just because there are blocks... there are usually certain roads to take that are most convenient.. because they lead to your destination.. and aren't always traffic free. Traffic depends more on time of day, and a number of other conditional factors, than inherently bad intersections.

Most people that old have a hard time no matter where they live, downtown or otherwise. If they are really that bad they should probably be in a home.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by John Martin

Because a lot of old people have passed the point in life where walking everywhere is easy. Maybe they aren't abundant wherever you live, but there are plenty of people who really can't even manage to walk up the stairs of a bus or train everyday, or carry groceries down the block, or cross a really wide street before the light turns green. Sure, they could just drive everywhere, even though there isn't much parking downtown, and is often congested, not exactly a great place for old people to be driving. Or I supposed they could drive to the suburbs for all their groceries and medications, except that would defeat the purpose of living downtown. But then again, unless they intend to walk a lot, there's not much reason to live downtown as opposed to a place like the emigration complex. I'm not saying the old people downtown shouldn't live there, tops to them, it's just that not all old people are those old people.

And no, there isn't always an easy alternative downtown just because there are blocks... there are usually certain roads to take that are most convenient.. because they lead to your destination.. and aren't always traffic free. Traffic depends more on time of day, and a number of other conditional factors, than inherently bad intersections.

I don't find much about downtown that the suburbs could offer better to the elderly. The person that you describe would most likely have lost their driver's license because their vision or reaction time is so slow now. I live in Murray and visit numerous elderly on a regular basis. Many become prisoners in their homes because the drive to the pharmacy, hair salon, grocery store, etc. are so far away. They would have to walk a good distance to just get out of their neighborhood.

I think you see so many elderly LDS women and men because it is convenient living. They can walk to most of their places such as the Temple, Genealogy Library, etc. and not have to rely on someone to pick them up.