Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[ajiuO]

The old hotel on the south east corner of Redwood Road in North Temple has been demolished.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

The old hotel on the south east corner of Redwood Road in North Temple has been demolished.

I believe that *was* a Holiday Inn, that later rebranded as a Ramada. If I recall correctly, the city or some charity was trying to use it for transitional housing for awhile. The property looked awful when I drove by it last summer.

[Blah_Amazing]

• Video Link

[wrendog]

Sundance film festival moving to boulder. That hurts

[i-215]

Originally Posted by wrendog

Sundance film festival moving to boulder. That hurts

Yeah, it sure does.

Not to get political, but it's political. Utah already scared away the Outdoor Retailers Convention once. They sure feel like certain hills are worth dying on— then act shocked when the consequence comes

They'll blame everyone but themselves, of course. But that's just the world we live in nowadays.

[Comrade]

They won't even blame anyone - there's a core group of people who are glad it's gone. Dan McCay already said they weren't welcome here because they promoted the gay lifestyle. This is an elected representative pushing this.

Utah is at a crossroads. The state prides itself on its educated population and strong job climate but the politicians seem to be working to turn us into the next Mississippi - and I promise you, once that happens, we're gonna see real brain drain from the state.

[bob rulz]

I'm not surprised at all that Sundance left. I'm sure our increasingly bigoted legislature played a big part, but I also wonder how tiring it could be sometimes to host one of the largest film festivals in the world in a small city that gets hundreds of inches of snow every year.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by delts145

Atlas, Orlando, and any others who have an opinion on the matter. Would you say that the 400 South TRAX corridor, particularly east and west of 700 East, south to Trolley Sq., and north two or three blocks have the most viable SLC/U. of U. symbiotic potential? I have always looked to the TRAX corridor as having a potentially incredible future bond connection with SLC, something even on a grander scale than Westwood Village/Blvd. and UCLA. They are making stabs at it with attractive student housing around the Trolley Square area. I think it's just a matter of evolution before the 400 South corridor reaches its true potential, adding more attractive housing and walkable TOD commercial. At least, I hope the TRAX corridor continues to evolve even more quickly than it has over the past 15 years. IMO, the 700 East, and 400 South intersection should be the heart of an incredible City/University Village. Hopefully, they won't allow developers to turn the former Village Inn site into low-rise townhomes. That would show a complete lack of vision by the city at that location.

That's an interesting suggestion and I know there are private developers who are trying to do student housing in that area. Though, I've always thought of the restaurant area on 13th east and the undergound Pie Pizzeria as a place with a lot of potential to become like the U district in Seattle.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by Comrade

Utah is at a crossroads. The state prides itself on its educated population and strong job climate but the politicians seem to be working to turn us into the next Mississippi - and I promise you, once that happens, we're gonna see real brain drain from the state.

It's really sad to see the state cosplay as a southern state when, I've always argued, Utah has more in common with Massachusetts than it does with Mississippi.

• The whole "city on a hill" vibe.
• The idea that state government should use its legal authority to fix problems (in contrast to true "Rocky Mountain" libertarianism that surrounds Utah)

But in the last 20 years, they've shed that and run around thinking that the southern states are their kin. And I've got bad news for Utah— their mindset will always see Utah as an unwelcome outsider to their club.

I keep hoping Utah has a "wake up" moment where they realize they are headed down a path away from economic prosperity and general desirability. And it just isn't happening. At least not at the legislative level. The legislature has a huge demographic mismatch from the state's population as a whole. So either there needs to be a recogning at the ballot box, which so far hasn't materialized. Or, it shows the population just don't care. They don't mind bigoted short-sighted leaders. In which case, you're right — the brain drain will happen.

My own sister bailed on Utah, for Arkansas of all places. She figured if she had to live in a place that had dumb leadership, at least she should be able to afford a house.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by i-215

It's really sad to see the state cosplay as a southern state when, I've always argued, Utah has more in common with Massachusetts than it does with Mississippi.

This is true. I have spent time in Mississippi and I have spent time in the Seattle area. Utah has a hunger for growth and progress that has more in common with the Seattle area then with Mississippi or probably anywhere in the south or midwest.

Some people say we are the most conservative state but I think both Republicans and Democrats are different here then in the rest of the country.

[Rileybo]

Originally Posted by Comrade

They won't even blame anyone - there's a core group of people who are glad it's gone. Dan McCay already said they weren't welcome here because they promoted the gay lifestyle. This is an elected representative pushing this.

Utah is at a crossroads. The state prides itself on its educated population and strong job climate but the politicians seem to be working to turn us into the next Mississippi - and I promise you, once that happens, we're gonna see real brain drain from the state.

It’s so strange because moving from Utah to Mississippi or visa versa is the biggest culture shock an American can experience inside the same country.

[taboubak]

The Millers have purchased Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. Looks like the days in Sandy are coming to an end and the team will move into a new stadium in the Power District.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by taboubak

The Millers have purchased Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. Looks like the days in Sandy are coming to an end and the team will move into a new stadium in the Power District.

Hell Yeah!

[locolife]

Originally Posted by taboubak

The Millers have purchased Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals. Looks like the days in Sandy are coming to an end and the team will move into a new stadium in the Power District.

Anyone else questioning the Power District drawing energy away from the downtown core? The idea that two major stadium-centered entertainment developments will successfully co-exist within 1.5 miles from each other seems a bit ambitious to me. It reminds me of The Gateway and City Creek drawing customers away from each other but on a much more massive scale.

I'm trying to think of other similar sized developments that work and are that close together. Anyone have examples?

[RC14]

Originally Posted by locolife

Anyone else questioning the Power District drawing energy away from the downtown core? The idea that two major stadium-centered entertainment developments will successfully co-exist within 1.5 miles from each other seems a bit ambitious to me. It reminds me of The Gateway and City Creek drawing customers away from each other but on a much more massive scale.

I'm trying to think of other similar sized developments that work and are that close together. Anyone have examples?

One notable difference is that the power district will host summer sports and the SEG entertainment district will host winter sports. The regular seasons would only overlap for about 1 month. NBA/Stanley cup playoffs would add another month or 2.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by RC14

One notable difference is that the power district will host summer sports and the SEG entertainment district will host winter sports. The regular seasons would only overlap for about 1 month. NBA/Stanley cup playoffs would add another month or 2.

I don't see how being busy just during the season works, these big sports/ entertainment districts I've been to need to be busy basically year-round, a lot like City Creek Center. Restaurants and bars can't stay in business very long if they're only busy on game/event nights.

Will be interesting to see how it progresses. It just seems like expecting a lot of economic activity in a pretty small zone, with two major entertainment districts trying to draw in the same finite dollars available.

[Makid]

I think that both districts can be successful. The main thing is that both districts need to include a decent residential component.

SEG is currently planning a 600' residential tower in their Phase 1 plans. With other planned residential nearby (Block 67), a reconstructed and upgraded Convention Center, and at least 1 new large hotel (in SEG's phase 1 plan).

Power District is planning to include at least 1 400' residential tower, a few in the 200'-300' range and even more smaller buildings. There is also at least 1 larger size hotel planned. I have heard that the Power District is looking to have at least 5,000 residential units when complete. This also doesn't count the developments around the district as well.

Overall, I think that both districts will be symbiotic in nature. Both will pull people from outside their locations and with very good transit options at both locations, they are both going to be able to thrive.

[mattreedah]

Originally Posted by Makid

I think that both districts can be successful. The main thing is that both districts need to include a decent residential component.

If it's one thing I trust the Millers with it's the residential component. Daybreak truly is very cool. It will also be interesting to see if MLS actually ends up moving their season to Fall/Spring like they are considering. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/pla...200431845.html. From the article: "The season would go mid-August with a break in mid-December before resuming in February. The championship would likely be in May." This would obviously better align with baseball to make it more year-round.

[rockies]

Originally Posted by Makid

SEG is currently planning a 600' residential tower in their Phase 1 plans. With other planned residential nearby (Block 67), a reconstructed and upgraded Convention Center, and at least 1 new large hotel (in SEG's phase 1 plan).

Power District is planning to include at least 1 400' residential tower, a few in the 200'-300' range and even more smaller buildings. There is also at least 1 larger size hotel planned. I have heard that the Power District is looking to have at least 5,000 residential units when complete. This also doesn't count the developments around the district as well.

This is very exciting to think about. In 2022, downtown SLC had a population of 4,900 people. I think it will be a good thing to have a huge population center pulling downtown west. The Gardner institute said back then that SLC's downtown population would double to 10,000 by 2025... I wonder if that is the case now that we are here and I would like to see future projections with SEG/Power district taken into account.

I think there is a good a balance between heavily urbanizing multiple parts of the city proper and in doing so saving some of the CBD for even greater future developments. Big cities have big neighborhoods and building out north temple, downtown sugarhouse, etc will benefit main st and the urban core in the long run

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Makid

I think that both districts can be successful. The main thing is that both districts need to include a decent residential component.

SEG is currently planning a 600' residential tower in their Phase 1 plans. With other planned residential nearby (Block 67), a reconstructed and upgraded Convention Center, and at least 1 new large hotel (in SEG's phase 1 plan).

Power District is planning to include at least 1 400' residential tower, a few in the 200'-300' range and even more smaller buildings. There is also at least 1 larger size hotel planned. I have heard that the Power District is looking to have at least 5,000 residential units when complete. This also doesn't count the developments around the district as well.

Overall, I think that both districts will be symbiotic in nature. Both will pull people from outside their locations and with very good transit options at both locations, they are both going to be able to thrive.

It just seems ambitious compared to historical downtown population statistics and would require a large draw of energy, people and money away from the downtown core, although still relatively close by. Having those 5,000 units directly in the downtown core would be better imo. But keeping the pro sports in SLC is also a win... so I guess it's a catch 22.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what actually gets built in both locations. Looking forward to more details whenever they come out.