Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[bob rulz]

You're right that it's not particularly on-topic, I just won't be told that it doesn't matter. The thing is is that it could matter for development as well. If there is a big slowdown because of steel tariffs, for example, it would be impossible not to tie that to the current administration. Government worker layoffs affect the economy. Lots of things happening do have the potential to affect the discussions here, but you're right that it's not the most appropriate forum to discuss general issues.

I wasn't aware of that app, so thank you, I'll check it out.

[Boz]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Sorry, but no, I will not be silent while this Fascist administration dismantles our democratic institutions, raids our government to sell off to their buddies, actively villainizes and harms people I love and care about, and plays with people's livelihoods.

Frankly I don't care if you don't want to see it. Your indifference only makes me want to be louder.

Boobs and Clowns. It's a good reason to come to the forum. You may see some pictures of new development, or, you may get to see a bunch of boobs and clowns crying about their TDS.

I know I'm not the only one laughing. Good stuff.

[mattreedah]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

Sorry, but no, I will not be silent while this Fascist administration dismantles our democratic institutions, raids our government to sell off to their buddies, actively villainizes and harms people I love and care about, and plays with people's livelihoods.

I do think some people here think everyone has the same or similar political opinions which is not true.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by Boz

Boobs and Clowns. It's a good reason to come to the forum. You may see some pictures of new development, or, you may get to see a bunch of boobs and clowns crying about their TDS.

I know I'm not the only one laughing. Good stuff.

I generally lean right, but I've had it with MAGA's glib, light minded, attitude toward legitimate concerns. Including concerns conservatives, traditionally should be sympathetic to like the possibility of starting a trade (that, historically speaking, could lead to a hot war.), the abuse of executive powers which Republicans complained about relentlessly during the Obama years, or the abandonment of our global allies leading to distrust. Apparently everything can be fixed with a funny meme or a few snappy one liners.

My daughter's best friend's Dad just lost his job and I saw how scared that made her and her family. Massive layoffs may or may not be necessary (mathematically they will make no difference when it comes to the overall Federal budget) but, if nothing else they need to be done with compassion and the realization that the lives of real, innocent people are being disrupted. I shouldn't be seeing glib memes about how funny it is to watch all these Federal employees loosing their jobs. 99% of them are not "the problem" they are just regular people who took a job that happened to be with the government. It's hypocritical that MAGA will support tariffs and subsidies to protect the outdated, manufacturing jobs of people in the rust belt but will celebrate the unemployment of federal workers.

As Bob rulz pointed out, tariffs and DOGE WILL impact development. Steel tariffs disrupted projects during Donald's last term and we have seen the effect that even one large office building can have on the office market in this city. I'm not going to argue that makes all our complaints relevant to this thread, but this stuff will absolutely have a noticeable effect on projects.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by RC14

As Bob rulz pointed out, tariffs and DOGE WILL impact development. Steel tariffs disrupted projects during Donald's last term and we have seen the effect that even one large office building can have on the office market in this city. I'm not going to argue that makes all our complaints relevant to this thread, but this stuff will absolutely have a noticeable effect on projects.

Just a follow up here. The tariff situation during the first term was so bad that it stunted many developments around the Country for years. It increased the overall costs of projects, even once the tariffs were lifted.

The problem is even the threat of a tariff on lumber and steel causes many developments that aren't in active construction to be replanned or cancelled.

This frustration also leads to lower employment opportunities, which leads to lower trade worker volume, leading to increased construction costs, leading to less projects being constructed.

To get out of the situation, you need a robust economy that has high demand for new projects and a large supply of funding.

Unfortunately, we are not in this situation and may see a slow down on large projects for the next few years, if not longer.

[MountainSkyline]

why were my comments taken down?

[RC14]

In some disappointing and slightly more on topic news:

Bill giving UDOT veto power over some SLC street projects moves to governor’s desk

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/03/07/an-edited-bill-targeting-salt-lake/

[i-215]

This bill makes me scratch my head.

Forever and ever, if the state owns the road, the state gets the final say in what happens to their road. Fair enough.

But this goes further to argue, "Well, if fewer people can zoom along on the city-owned roads, that will lead to more traffic on the state roads. Therefore the state gets veto power over what the city do on their city-owned roads."

What kind of convoluted logic is that? I think *if* SLC wanted to fight this in court, they may have a decent case. But that would just deteriorate the relationship between the state and the city.

I really hate Utah's legislature.

[mattreedah]

Originally Posted by Makid

Just a follow up here. The tariff situation during the first term was so bad that it stunted many developments around the Country for years. It increased the overall costs of projects, even once the tariffs were lifted.

The problem is even the threat of a tariff on lumber and steel causes many developments that aren't in active construction to be replanned or cancelled.

This frustration also leads to lower employment opportunities, which leads to lower trade worker volume, leading to increased construction costs, leading to less projects being constructed.

To get out of the situation, you need a robust economy that has high demand for new projects and a large supply of funding.

Unfortunately, we are not in this situation and may see a slow down on large projects for the next few years, if not longer.

Much of the downtown development of the last 8 years is directly due to the "Trump Tax Cuts" of the first term because it contained the opportunity zones.
No one ever wants to talk about that though.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by mattreedah

Much of the downtown development of the last 8 years is directly due to the "Trump Tax Cuts" of the first term because it contained the opportunity zones.
No one ever wants to talk about that though.

I almost mentioned it but it was just outside of the topic of the post. Imagine how much better the Opportunity Zone developments would have been, and faster, had the lumber and steel tariffs never happened.

With hindsight, it almost comes across as the Opportunity Zones were in some way an apology or an appeasement to developers for the tariffs.

I do like the Opportunity Zones and I would love for them to be expanded as they did and do continue to help with developments. I am just against the random and rushed tariffs that are pointless and are shifting daily. Uncertainty slows or ends development projects, and has a negative cascading effect across the overall economy.

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by i-215

This bill makes me scratch my head.

Forever and ever, if the state owns the road, the state gets the final say in what happens to their road. Fair enough.

But this goes further to argue, "Well, if fewer people can zoom along on the city-owned roads, that will lead to more traffic on the state roads. Therefore the state gets veto power over what the city do on their city-owned roads."

What kind of convoluted logic is that? I think *if* SLC wanted to fight this in court, they may have a decent case. But that would just deteriorate the relationship between the state and the city.

I really hate Utah's legislature.

It's better than what was originally proposed, but it's still really stupid. I'm tired of such specifically targeted wording at Salt Lake City. The legislature continues to flaunt their contempt for the city because of political differences. Nobody from Lehi should be telling Salt Lake City how to plan their roads.

As for the political debate, all I can think of when it comes to MAGA is the leopards eating faces meme.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

It's better than what was originally proposed, but it's still really stupid. I'm tired of such specifically targeted wording at Salt Lake City. The legislature continues to flaunt their contempt for the city because of political differences. Nobody from Lehi should be telling Salt Lake City how to plan their roads.

As for the political debate, all I can think of when it comes to MAGA is the leopards eating faces meme.

I mean, the STATE (e.g., people in Lehi) are also on the hook for the huge transit investments Utahns have made in downtown over the past 25 years. Would it not make sense to build roads that capitalize on the full economic potential of that system?

(Lehi: "No. We want parking lots and low economic engagement because.... ??? F-150 won't fit")

[Makid]

Originally Posted by i-215

I mean, the STATE (e.g., people in Lehi) are also on the hook for the huge transit investments Utahns have made in downtown over the past 25 years. Would it not make sense to build roads that capitalize on the full economic potential of that system?

(Lehi: "No. We want parking lots and low economic engagement because.... ??? F-150 won't fit")

Have they really though? Trax expansion was funded by SL County sales tax increases. Of those, 65% of the revenue comes from SLC directly. Even looking at FrontRunner and bus services, SL County subsidizes the services in other Counties. If we included Federal Funds, people in New York and California would have a greater claim to provide input for SLC than someone in Lehi.

The overall transit funding was brought up last year in the State Legislature when they discussed possible service increases in Utah County/SW SL County and UTA brought the funding sources. Routes and service are based primarily on local funding. It is why Utah County has lower service levels than SL County. It also shows why Southern SL County has less service than Northern SL County.

This is one of the reasons that a bill was run through this recent Legislative Session that would allow SW SL County to form their own County. They feel under-represented in SL County for all services (transit, roads, recreation, etc.) because they feel that since they pay taxes, nearly the same as SL City, they should have similar service levels.

[MountainSkyline]

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/compani...rs-choice-dallas-salt-lake-city-or-leave

[TheWireRedux]

University of Utah considering proposal to build new arena, replace Huntsman Center. New arena would be relocated with a feasibility and location study taking place over the next couple months.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/03/11/university-utah-considers-proposal/

[Atlas]

wow. Gut reaction is that I hate the idea of demolishing the Hunty.

I found this related video and website with some renderings.

• Video Link

[wrendog]

Hopefully it's nice and then Utah loses every game there forever

[Makid]

I just hope that they think of the sight lines for Gymnastics as well as Basketball.

[TRex]

The current location of the Huntsman Center is the most accessible location on the UofU campus. It's centrally located on campus next the UTA Red Line with a second UTA Orange Line being added in the future.

I don't see a new campus location that changes things in a significant way. So I'm guessing welcome to the Power District which would be on the new Orange Line as well with a direct connection to the campus.

[TRex]

Plus, Utah Legislature just tweaked the law for the Power District zone to allow stadiums with as few as 18,000 seats. Now it all makes sense. Jazz and Utah Hockey don't allow for many other events to be scheduled in the Delta Center. Now UofU can rent out new Huntsman Center for concerts etc. without the negative campus impact. Perhaps even sell beer for non university events. Am I crazy?