Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[bob rulz]

The assertion that Salt Lake City needlessly picks fights with the state is absurd. The state is the one that picks fights with Salt Lake City. RSL, the inland port, the prison, forcing our hand on the SEG vote and only making Salt Lake City taxpayers pay for it, despite the teams all being branded as Utah, UDOT taking control of city-owned streets all because some legislators don't like speed bumps and bike lanes, the state putting 95% of the burden on dealing with the homeless population on SLC, and now being literally the first Olympics in the organization's 130 year history not to be named after the host city.

Utah does everything in their power to sabotage and punish the city for political purposes and if anything Erin Mendenhall has been overly deferential to that, even if I do generally think she doesn't have much of a choice because the other option is the state legislature bulldozes us into submission.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by joscar

Noticed that they started tearing down the old Travelodge on North Temple (at about 150 West) this week. Looks like the neighboring LDS Church West Office Building is fenced up and soon to come down too. Not surprised by the motel, but I am surprised about the office building. It's a fairly substantial structure that really isn't too old. I think it used to be state offices before the church bought it 15 or 20 years ago.

I assume this is all to make more parking for the temple open house.

I’m pretty sure that building is older than I am. I grew up in that area and always remember it being there.

You are probably right about the surface parking though.The church has gotten way out of hand with surface parking in the area. I’m kind of surprised the city lets it happen.

I noticed something is being constructed across the street where Deserete Credit Union use to be. I wonder if that is a replacement building?

The real tragedy in the area is the fact that they are tearing down west high. I really think that building was worth saving. Salt lake has no respect for its history.

What ever happend with that project that the mayor insisted on ripping down the Utah theater for?

I’m also super worried about the section of main st. where the restaurants burned down. The fronts of those buildings are fine and could easily be fixed… but I’m betting the mayor and the other powers that be are already pushing to put up a modern tower that includes “affordable housing” so that they can tear it all down and then let an empty lot sit there when their plan ultimately falls apart and doesn’t get built.

I’m not sad to see that motel go though. There are only a few of the old north temple slum lodges left. I think the motel 6 or what ever it is next to 215 and the one close to red iguanas days are numbered… the one right up next to 15. Might service for another decade.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I’m also super worried about the section of main st. where the restaurants burned down. The fronts of those buildings are fine and could easily be fixed… but I’m betting the mayor and the other powers that be are already pushing to put up a modern tower that includes “affordable housing” so that they can tear it all down and then let an empty lot sit there when their plan ultimately falls apart and doesn’t get built.

You don't need to worry here, the restaurants are being rebuilt currently. The overall hope is to have the restaurants fully back open by the spring with 1 or 2 opening earlier.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I’m not sad to see that motel go though. There are only a few of the old north temple slum lodges left. I think the motel 6 or what ever it is next to 215 and the one close to red iguanas days are numbered… the one right up next to 15. Might service for another decade.

That Econolodge next to I-15 was listed on Loopnet about 2 years ago. I don't know who, if anyone, bought it.

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I’m also super worried about the section of main st. where the restaurants burned down. The fronts of those buildings are fine and could easily be fixed… but I’m betting the mayor and the other powers that be are already pushing to put up a modern tower that includes “affordable housing” so that they can tear it all down and then let an empty lot sit there when their plan ultimately falls apart and doesn’t get built.

They are all being rebuilt as they existed. In fact White Horse is planning to reopen in January as the structural damage in that portion was not as extensive as the others. Whiskey Street and Eva are planning on reopening by the end of next year. Haven't heard anything about London Belle and Los Tapatios yet but I'm sure they're wanting to reopen as well.

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/11/17/when-will-white-horse-slc-bar/

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I think the motel 6 or what ever it is next to 215 and the one close to red iguanas days are numbered… the one right up next to 15. Might service for another decade.

Sorry for the double post. I don't know about the Econolodge next to I-15, but the Motel 6 on North Temple next to I-215 was turned into a homeless shelter.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Makid

I think it is the areas that relate to this that is causing consternation for people.

If you were thinking of relocating or expanding a business to Salt Lake City before the Olympics, would you be more cautious about that decision? I know that I would want to know why Salt Lake City is being erased as the host city. This is the type of concern that could stop some expansions or relocations because it comes across that Salt Lake City isn't as strong today as they were even 1 year ago.

As for those that don't understand or see any concern with what the State has done regarding the Olympic rebrand, you just need to look to the near recent history between the State and Salt Lake City:

Salt Lake City was supposed to be at the limit for homeless shelters because the State wanted to ensure other cities stepped up for the homeless, well now we will get a large homeless campus. This is before Utah County has its first homeless shelter.

Salt Lake City was working on an Inland Port idea and was ready to start finalizing agreements for a few company expansions to the area. The State decided that the project was too big for Salt Lake to handle, so they created the Inland Port Authority, sequestered nearly 40% of the land area of Salt Lake City and put it under the purview of the Authority. Originally, the State was also going to take the Airport as part of the Inland Port but thought better of it due to the branding and agreements that the city already had in place with the Airport. It took over a year of negotiations just to get to what we have now for the Inland Port.

Going back only slightly before this, we have the State placing the Prison within the City Boundaries.

Going back further we have the Real Stadium situation.

I would say that for the most part, Salt Lake City is doing well. I know it would be doing better if it wasn't for the interference/strong arm of the State.

The best thing that Salt Lake City can do is to keep growing. The city needs to keep encouraging growth and density. Keep the push on transit expansion within the city to make it desirable for more people. Work with developers to get more 3 and 4 bedroom units built to encourage more families to move or stay in the city.

Growth will be the best way that the city can exert any influence. If Salt Lake City can keep growing as quickly as it has the last few years, percentage wise, the city will end up with more representation at the state and national levels. This will even help at the County level.

Growth is 1 area that the State cannot put its thumb on the scale to slow Salt Lake City down. The State knows that it needs more housing to get prices down and for the most part, most of the housing is being built in Salt Lake City. A note here, Salt Lake City has more units planned for the next 5-7 years than the rest of Salt Lake County and Davis County combined.

All of this aside, I should mention that the LDS Church has pushed and will push for more recognition of Salt Lake City. They want the city to succeed and will do things either behind closed doors or in public to ensure the success of the city as we have seen before.

Makid, What is your latest take or word amongst your contacts on what project or projects the L.D.S. Church will begin next now that Temple Square will be completed in the not too distant future? Could it be the replacement of the Utah Woolen Mills or a mid-rise next to Harmons, or even the long anticipated South Temple Project at the old Elks Lodge... I'm thinking 2026 is going to be a banner year for construction projects.


.

[Paniolo Man]

Delta Center Parking Structure as of today:

[joscar]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I’m pretty sure that building is older than I am. I grew up in that area and always remember it being there.

You are probably right about the surface parking though.The church has gotten way out of hand with surface parking in the area. I’m kind of surprised the city lets it happen.

I noticed something is being constructed across the street where Deserete Credit Union use to be. I wonder if that is a replacement building?

...

According to a building permit, the old Deseret First Credit Union HQ building is being replaced with the "Seasons at Capitol Hill," a five-story, 101 unit apartment building.

[delts145]

A lot of good looking projects going up downtown. I like the finishing exteriors on Pickle and Hide, Citizen's West, and Journeyman. I'm curious as to what is happening at the corner next to Journeyman.

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

Pictures taken between last Friday and this morning.

Pickle and Hide:



Citizen's West:





West High School:



Journeyman Apartments (construction also seemingly underway on the adjoining corner lot):



~467 West 700 S (lot recently graded):



~433 West 400 N:



The Silos:



554 S 400 W (Not sure if this is part of Silos or not):



Modera Marmalade:

.

[TheGeographer]

I don’t think it’s “wild” that I need to be convinced on the Salt Lake City vs Utah Winter Olympics naming debate. A lot of good points were made that I agree with. The State has and continues to give Salt Lake the shaft on many things and I like the argument made that people think of cities instead of countries, and naming it Salt Lake City Winter Olympics is better optically. The reasons I love the State of Utah as a whole is the amazing nature and natural features we have. I really feel Utah from that perspective and not a political one is special and one of one. I suppose that was the basis of my argument in addition to some finances. With that said I like the points folks made and Salt Lake City Winter Olympics does make sense to me based on those points.

[Atlas]

In common parlance, "Salt Lake" tends to mean the entire valley not just the City. It was "Salt Lake 2002", which honestly could include all of Salt Lake County and that endangered lake we all care about. Seems like it would have been a good time to keep that moniker for 2034, actually.

The insistence on "Utah" for everything reeks of jealously from the eponymous county to the south, if you ask me.

[i-215]

Nothing changes.

Met a retired news reporter over 15 years ago that said, "In Utah, the battlelines are not between left and right. It's between city mouse and country mouse. And Utah County always thinks they are 'country mouse' for some reason."

Still holds true, even in 2025, it seems.

[RC14]

Originally Posted by i-215

Nothing changes.

Met a retired news reporter over 15 years ago that said, "In Utah, the battlelines are not between left and right. It's between city mouse and country mouse. And Utah County always thinks they are 'country mouse' for some reason."

Still holds true, even in 2025, it seems.

This is true. City Nerd made a video awhile back about “rural cosplay,” where he showed that most people who drive trucks are really just commuting from suburban homes to their six-figure office jobs downtown.
https://youtu.be/6q_BE5KPp18?si=KmUTSErWbhAHAm-n

That describes a large percentage of our state’s population. Utah is not a rural state—we’re actually one of the most urban states by percentage of population, and the most urban red state. But a lot of Utahns still like to pretend they’re living on the Yellowstone ranch.

[TheGeographer]

“Rural cosplay” made me chuckle. Im out in the burbs and see these truck drivers spewing their diesel smoke and choking out the valley with inversion all over. Drive something that doesn’t roll coal please.

I still think the Winter Olympics naming is silly (not specific to Utah just overall) since many of the Olympic events don’t take place in the host cities in most cases, but that’s a historical precedent problem. If we were the World Cup the name would be more geographically inclusive, but that is the historical precedent they have set. The upcoming Milano Olympics will span an area of 400 km…that’s a large area not specific to a city. Snow basin and Park City are in the SLC CSA (Snow Basin is a reach). Countless examples, the Vancouver Winter Olympics has events in Whistler and other areas of BC. Should have been called the BC Winter Olympics.

But hey I get all the arguments. Utah has shafted the hell out of SLC over time and there is a Cold War of sorts between the state of Utah and SLC. So the hell with logic I’m on team Salt Lake City and the historical precedent set by the Winter Olympics committee. Name the event Salt Lake City Winter Olympics!

[Ironweed]

"That describes a large percentage of our state’s population. Utah is not a rural state—we’re actually one of the most urban states by percentage of population, and the most urban red state. But a lot of Utahns still like to pretend they’re living on the Yellowstone ranch."

RC14 is right on the money with this comment. It's analogous to adults who can't seem to grow up.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by TheGeographer

“Rural cosplay” made me chuckle. Im out in the burbs and see these truck drivers spewing their diesel smoke and choking out the valley with inversion all over. Drive something that doesn’t roll coal please.

I had **really** hoped that between the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning that it would start to erode gasoline/diesel pickup sales over time.

Both trucks flopped. Oh well.

[Boz]

Originally Posted by i-215

I had **really** hoped that between the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning that it would start to erode gasoline/diesel pickup sales over time.

Both trucks flopped. Oh well.

Almost nobody wants a wanker e-car or e-truck.








Roll coal, baby!

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by i-215

I had **really** hoped that between the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightning that it would start to erode gasoline/diesel pickup sales over time.

Both trucks flopped. Oh well.

I just don't think people who drive F-150's are particularly interested in electric vehicles, and the Cybertruck, well, not much needs to be said about that debacle.

Rivian has a very dedicated fanbase, but they're much too expensive for the average person. And I think that's part of the problem, is electric vehicles are already more expensive, but electric trucks are much more expensive.

[RC14]

EV trucks will come. Right now, the only real downside to an EV vehicle vs ICE is the time it takes to charge and for most people, that can be avoided by simply plugging the vehicle in at night. As technology continues to improve, the advantages will become too obvious to ignore.