Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[Rileybo]

I think for most,(and by most, I mean most Americans) SLC/Utah are the same difference. It’s not like an Austin/Texas kinda thing, if you get what I’m saying.

If it makes you feel any better..

This is just personal experience, obviously. While most of my American friends have a negative view of Utah (often, I admit, with good reason), my international acquaintances tend have a much more favorable view.. When I meet people from other states, I usually tell them I’m from Denver. But when I meet people from outside the states, many of them have never even heard of Denver. However, SLC is one of the few US cities they recognize aside from the big ones. The response is typical: “Oh, you’re from Salt Lake City? What a beautiful place that must be to wake up in every day. And such a unique culture.. 2002 was a fun watch, etc”

Maybe the less you know about here, the better

[Boz]

Originally Posted by Comrade

It really shows just how powerful the city is compared to the state. I've said for years that maybe the Jazz and other pro teams would be best suited going by 'Salt Lake' because it does seem to have less of a stigma than just the name 'Utah'. But of course, I could be talking out my —.

Yep.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

I think for most,(and by most, I mean most Americans) SLC/Utah are the same difference. It’s not like an Austin/Texas kinda thing, if you get what I’m saying.

If it makes you feel any better..

This is just personal experience, obviously. While most of my American friends have a negative view of Utah (often, I admit, with good reason), my international acquaintances tend have a much more favorable view.. When I meet people from other states, I usually tell them I’m from Denver. But when I meet people from outside the states, many of them have never even heard of Denver. However, SLC is one of the few US cities they recognize aside from the big ones. The response is typical: “Oh, you’re from Salt Lake City? What a beautiful place that must be to wake up in every day. And such a unique culture.. 2002 was a fun watch, etc”

Maybe the less you know about here, the better

I think the perception of Utah is more heavily religious than just Salt Lake, which is funny considering Salt Lake is home to the LDS Church. But these shows have to have a reason to lean heavily into the Salt Lake connection, despite most taking place nowhere near Salt Lake, over just calling it the Real Housewives of Utah or whatever (like they did with New Jersey).

It's funny how that works nationally compared to locally as the pro teams focus on calling themselves the Utah Whatevers for the most part, and certainly we'll see that with a MLB team when that happens.

I do think there's a bigger distinction between Utah and Salt Lake than Denver and Colorado.

[Ironweed]

Originally Posted by ThePriceWentUp

Just saw that there was a building permit filed for the West Village apartments at 401 W. 900 S. This was a development I was super excited for after seeing the initial plans two years ago. Glad to see some movement.

Details about the project from 2022: https://buildingsaltlake.com/urban-alfandre-unveils-latest-project-in-the-granary-district/

I agree. This will be a nice addition to that neighborhood. Gentrification in this area is not harming residences as there are so few. It is Just underutilized land. I am hoping the project is true to the rendering.

[Rileybo]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I think the perception of Utah is more heavily religious than just Salt Lake, which is funny considering Salt Lake is home to the LDS Church. But these shows have to have a reason to lean heavily into the Salt Lake connection, despite most taking place nowhere near Salt Lake, over just calling it the Real Housewives of Utah or whatever (like they did with New Jersey).

It's funny how that works nationally compared to locally as the pro teams focus on calling themselves the Utah Whatevers for the most part, and certainly we'll see that with a MLB team when that happens.

I do think there's a bigger distinction between Utah and Salt Lake than Denver and Colorado.

While SLC is much less religious and conservative than the rest of the state, outsiders don’t know that. Any time SLC is in the media, it’s touted as the Mormon Cultural Capitol.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

While SLC is much less religious and conservative than the rest of the state, outsiders don’t know that. Any time SLC is in the media, it’s touted as the Mormon Cultural Capitol.

Yes. That was the point. But it's clear these shows see the Salt Lake brand more marketable than the Utah brand. There's a reason it's called Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and not just Real Housewives of Utah. Or Sold on Salt Lake City instead of Sold on Utah. I think they view SLC as a more favorable, cosmopolitan region than just 'Utah' in general, which oftentimes conjures up random polygamists living in the mountains or pioneers and rural life.

Salt Lake will always be connected to Mormonism and it certainly will be the first thing people think of when they hear Salt Lake - or close it it. But Utah seems to have a much deeper perception issue and it's my guess why these shows opt to lean into the Salt Lake region instead of Utah, despite the fact both these shows don't really take place in Salt Lake.

Utah would be sufficient enough. But when people think of Utah housewives, they might think this:



To an extent, I'm sure they think that of SLC too but maybe not as extensively.

[i-215]

I do think the state has done a reasonable job associating the "Utah" brand with outdoorsy stuff (e.g., "Ski Utah," the National Parks of Utah, Utah State Parks, Lake Powell "in Utah")

But for anything that isn't sightseeing or skiing, then yes, I agree with your comments. I find myself telling people that I grew up "near Salt Lake City" rather than saying I am "from Utah." (Stuff like La Verkin's "U.N.-free Zone" resolution haven't helped the overall brand for "Utah." Wherease SLC which tends to stay out of the news).

[Rileybo]

Sisterwives is still airing new seasons. And while they don’t live or shoot in Utah anymore… that’s what most Americans assume the typical SLC/Utah family is like.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

Sisterwives is still airing new seasons. And while they don’t live or shoot in Utah anymore… that’s what most Americans assume the typical SLC/Utah family is like.

I think more Utah than Salt Lake.

Maybe 30 years ago, tho, you're absolutely right. But Salt Lake definitely has a more cosmopolitan connection than the state as a whole (or other communities within the state). Likely due to the Olympics and professional sports.

[Rileybo]

Again, it’s just personal experience…

Even in 2024, most non-Utahns I meet(and I don’t mean to tote that I meet a lot of important people, because I don’t) think that we all are not only deeply religious.. but that we are all sheltered, bigoted, naive, and even still polygamous. And seeing as how Utah is one of the reddest states.. they think we are all — Trump-ist.

In many ways, they are right. The Utah bubble is real, whether or not it’s displayed in media.

Anyway… are we in a 2001-2009 development void or is there anything new in the pipeline besides that proposed wall on 400 E?

[Comrade]

Yes. I think you're agreeing with me. Salt Lake has a more cosmopolitan distinction than Utah. There's obviously overlap but it's not the same. Whenever I comment specifically I'm from Utah, pretty much every response is universal to Mormonism, polygamy or outdoors/mountains. When I say Salt Lake, I get some of that but way more comments on the Olympics, how nice the city is or how they know someone who lives there lmao

It's just a different vibe.

[Paniolo Man]

North Capitol Building, plaza, and State Street roundabout:







Chicago St. Townhomes:



Pickle and Hide:



The Hendrey:

[Always Sunny in SLC]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

Again, it’s just personal experience…

Even in 2024, most non-Utahns I meet(and I don’t mean to tote that I meet a lot of important people, because I don’t) think that we all are not only deeply religious.. but that we are all sheltered, bigoted, naive, and even still polygamous. And seeing as how Utah is one of the reddest states.. they think we are all — Trump-ist.

In many ways, they are right. The Utah bubble is real, whether or not it’s displayed in media.

Anyway… are we in a 2001-2009 development void or is there anything new in the pipeline besides that proposed wall on 400 E?

These anecdotal stories say as much about the state as they do how big of idiots people are about anything outside their own state or community. This is especially true of people on the coasts.

[Blah_Amazing]

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

Pickle and Hide:

Wow! I didn't know this project had moved ahead. Really happy for this one!

[rockies]

Salt Lake County buys Overstock building, plans to move government operations by 2026

I wonder what will replace the current county building/campus at 2100 South. That will be a very prominent and large site right on state street. Good thing that land is not in SSL lol

I do wish they were renovating/staying at their current location closer to downtown, but I think it is a reasonable move for them given the more central location within the county

[Ironweed]

Originally Posted by rockies

Salt Lake County buys Overstock building, plans to move government operations by 2026

I wonder what will replace the current county building/campus at 2100 South. That will be a very prominent and large site right on state street. Good thing that land is not in SSL lol

I do wish they were renovating/staying at their current location closer to downtown, but I think it is a reasonable move for them given the more central location within the county

I was wondering about this myself. My fear is that the new owner will retrofit the existing space. The real issue are the derelict properties to the north on State Street.

Happy Holidays from myself and Comrade.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158978236938770&set=gm.3702220046498373

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Ironweed

I was wondering about this myself. My fear is that the new owner will retrofit the existing space. The real issue are the derelict properties to the north on State Street.

Happy Holidays from myself and Comrade.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10158978236938770&set=gm.3702220046498373

Love it.

[Comrade]

Liked this photo of SLC I guess. It kinda makes it look semi-urban lmao

[Comrade]

I wish Salt Lake's skyline kinda looked like this ngl

[freeshavocado]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I wish Salt Lake's skyline kinda looked like this ngl

The post credits an artist, but it has to be AI, right? Why would the buildings be so wrong otherwise? Strange post from the mayor.