Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[bob rulz]

The new WGU campus is in the D-1 zone which has a minimum height of 100 ft. I'm sure with a multiple-building campus they may get some shorter buildings in a design review but I imagine that would be contingent on some buildings exceeding 100 ft. I think it would be a hard sell if none of the buildings exceed 100 ft in height. And surely WGU did their research ahead of time and are well aware of that.

[ChtízoSLC]

Interesting article from KSL. https://www.ksl.com/article/51463137/u-t...toric-rio-grande-depot-in-salt-lake-city

[UrbanEar]

Originally Posted by ChtízoSLC

Interesting article from KSL. https://www.ksl.com/article/51463137/u-t...toric-rio-grande-depot-in-salt-lake-city

Wouldn't it be interesting if the Rio Grande redevelopment plan turned into a downtown U Campus instead? Those two blocks West of the Rio Grande Building could be redeveloped into buildings with class rooms, dorms, a library, event space, etc. You have tons of new apartments in the area for students to live as well as Pioneer Park for other campus events. Then build the train box under ground and relink TRAX and Front Runner to Rio Grande - specifically readjusting the Red Line to connect Rio Grande to the main Utah Campus for students to easily go back and forth for classes.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by UrbanEar

Wouldn't it be interesting if the Rio Grande redevelopment plan turned into a downtown U Campus instead? Those two blocks West of the Rio Grande Building could be redeveloped into buildings with class rooms, dorms, a library, event space, etc. You have tons of new apartments in the area for students to live as well as Pioneer Park for other campus events. Then build the train box under ground and relink TRAX and Front Runner to Rio Grande - specifically readjusting the Red Line to connect Rio Grande to the main Utah Campus for students to easily go back and forth for classes.

I could see something like this happening. I do hope that we see more under-grad student housing and class space on the NE corner of State Street and 4th South. The Rio Grande District (RGD), I would like to see more post-grad housing as well as maybe some subsidized housing for UofU employees.

The RGD would be a good location for a larger business incubator. With the RGP in place, the connectivity of the RGD would be perfect as an incubator for businesses. It could work great with both Lab and Office spaces. Each could be configured based on the needs. With money coming back to the University via the licensing program, this potential funding source could be utilized to build many of the buildings that could act as incubators.

With the tech-link Trax line along 4th West, that will allow for a direct connection between the RGD and both the University and the Airport, the area is better aligned for post-grad and business incubation than it is for classes.

This type of layout also could help to push a FrontRunner west line as well. Linking Tooele/Grantsville to the area. With stops at the Airport and the Inland Ports in both Salt Lake and Tooele Counties, this could assist with business expansion from the incubators.

A FrontRunner East line connecting to the West line at the Depot could be easier to sell with an existing FrontRunner Airport as people could take a train to Park City with limited stops. I do wonder if the airlines would oppose using a small portion of landing fees to help pay for an eastward expansion of FrontRunner like they opposed helping to fund the Green Line construction.

[Orlando]

Anyone hear about this? The design is uhhh.... I mean, what is it? It has 180' tall glass atrium or tower, and then a windowless block behind it??

https://www.ksl.com/article/51466737/pro...rs-to-hit-snag-in-salt-lake-city-council

[Rileybo]

Second borg cube, and more accurate to its appearance in TNG, let’s go.

[Makid]

Core samples have begun on the Sheraton block (WGU). They have been near the SE corner of 2nd West and 4th South.

They were actively drilling around 4:30pm yesterday.

[Snoogalator]

Originally Posted by Makid

Core samples have begun on the Sheraton block (WGU). They have been near the SE corner of 2nd West and 4th South.

They were actively drilling around 4:30pm yesterday.

Thats good news. Considering the block is zoned D1 i am fairly confident we will get some decent highrises.

I heard rumors of mix-use, what kind? Could we possibly see some bigger towers that share tenants with WGU?

[Ironweed]

Something is also going on with the old Big Lots site. (Adjacent to the giant Cottonwood Broadway complex.) Construction equipment everywhere on the old parking lot. Does anyone have any intel as to what is happening there? I know the old Jewish Temple lot is to be upgraded across the street.

There are developments popping up all over the city. Nice to see.

[delts145]

^^^

AI Overview:

Based on local discussions as of early March 2026, the old Big Lots site (adjacent to the Cottonwood Broadway area) is undergoing significant demolition and renovation. Reports indicate the site is being redeveloped into a multi-use complex featuring a car wash, oil change service, and a chicken restaurant, with construction equipment actively clearing the parking lot.

Project Details: Recent activity involves gutting the former Big Lots/Planet Fitness building and removing the roof, with reports of a new multi-use project planned.

Proposed Use: The site is rumored to become a combined car wash, oil change center, and restaurant.

Site Condition: As of early March 2026, the building is gutted, signs are removed, and heavy construction equipment is on-site.

[Ironweed]

Originally Posted by delts145

^^^

AI Overview:

Based on local discussions as of early March 2026, the old Big Lots site (adjacent to the Cottonwood Broadway area) is undergoing significant demolition and renovation. Reports indicate the site is being redeveloped into a multi-use complex featuring a car wash, oil change service, and a chicken restaurant, with construction equipment actively clearing the parking lot.

Project Details: Recent activity involves gutting the former Big Lots/Planet Fitness building and removing the roof, with reports of a new multi-use project planned.

Proposed Use: The site is rumored to become a combined car wash, oil change center, and restaurant.

Site Condition: As of early March 2026, the building is gutted, signs are removed, and heavy construction equipment is on-site.

That sounds terrible. What a waste of space.

[bob rulz]

I don't see any permits for that address on the Citizen Access Portal. That's why you don't trust AI.

I'm pretty confident auto-oriented uses are not allowed in that zone anyway,

[Atlas]

Yeah, that's false. It's another multifamily project called Block 24. There's not a lot of info online but here's what I found a couple years ago:

The Block 24 project is a 377 unit apartment building located at the corner of 200 S and 400 E. It will replace the abandoned Big Lots building. The project is located in the R-MU zone and has been designed to comply with all the zoning ordinances and requirements. The project 2-levels of parking and 5 levels of residential units. The lower level of parking (basement) will be accessed through a ramp from the NW corner of the property off of 200 S. The upper level of parking and guest (future resident) parking will be accessed from the SE corner of the property off of 400 E. The project includes street level units that will face 200 S and 400 E. The project includes 2 large resident amenity courtyards at the podium level. The SE corner of the building is a 6 level corner tower which includes the amenities of the building including the fitness center, clubroom, co-working space, and rooftop pool.

Edit: might have been rebranded: https://www.cwgroup.com/project/block-24/

[freeshavocado]

The old Big Lots site has had construction equipment on it for ages. I figured it was just where they stored a lot of stuff for their other projects downtown. But then they put Cole West signage all around the fence, which made me think construction was approaching. But then the signage disappeared haha. Idk what's going on there.

[bflatflat9]

WGU update from my daughter (employee) from a company meeting today.
Employee build out at downtown location to 3-,-3.5k. not 5 k.
Current lease on 7th east expires in 2030, so the office portion should be ready for occupancy by then,
meaning construction should begin relatively soon.

[meman]

I was walking down Main Street Downtown today and I noticed several pieces of heavy equipment at the Main Street apartments site. Im just wondering if they are getting ready to start construction on the apartment tower? I just hope the're not making another damn parking lot.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by meman

I was walking down Main Street Downtown today and I noticed several pieces of heavy equipment at the Main Street apartments site. Im just wondering if they are getting ready to start construction on the apartment tower? I just hope the're not making another damn parking lot.

I am pretty sure it is for a parking lot.

[MountainSkyline]

Scaffolding and Tower crane removed!
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[Orlando]

I drove by the site where the Utah Woolen Mills store and office tower was, and it has been demolished. They had improved the site and I saw them place bollards around it or some nice fencing. I didn't see if they had turned it into a parking lot.

[Orlando]

I drove by and saw that the restoration of both of those buildings are in full swing.