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Originally Posted by RC14
Transit will definently help and I hope this article about the office explosion is right, I hope the down turn in the economy does not slow things down just as these buildings near completion.
I would like to make two points concerning this:
1.) insted of building alot of 20-30 story buildings I think we need to build a 50story(600ft)+ building insted, we need to brake free of the 35story(500ft) barrier.
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It will definately be interesting RC14 to see how the national drop-off in housing affects the Wasatch Market. Experts predict that our local commercial boom will absorb much of the drop-off in new housing starts. For various reasons the Wasatch economy has shown itself to be a lot more resilient than the national market over the past 20 plus years, and will typically land more softly.
Builders and lenders in this area have been far less speculative than elsewhere. Our commercial real estate market is responding more to a game of catch-up, rather than speculation. While our economic growth can definately slow, as we have become a leading, western hub of manufacturing and distribution, we have not overreached to the extent of many other regions.
I guess only time will tell, as the length and depth of this slow-down becomes more apparent nationally.
As far as building fewer 20-30 story towers, and the ushering in of the 40-50 plus story towers, we can only dream for the moment. Even a huge national/international market like downtown L.A. is heavily vested in new 20-30 story towers. Perhaps, one of the new mystery towers will be our new, '40 story plus.' In order to get in to that 40-50 plus story range we will need two things to happen.
1. First of course, we will need a demand for that height, which will make economic sense,(such as the building of a corporate headquarter's, or perhaps the build-out of prime east side real-estate.) These types of demands will eventually play-out, and we will see the taller towers.
2. Second, and probably our best chance of seeing a 50 plus tower downtown sooner than later, will be the vision of a deep-pocketed, big spender. Take William Holding for example. His Grand America and its over-the-top expense, was not a response to the market demand. Yes, we definately needed a new,large hotel. We just didn't need one with millions of yards of hand-woven English carpet, hundred's of hand-blown Italian chandeliers, etc.,etc. The extent of extravance seen in this hotel is far beyond what is typically constructed. Outside of Vegas, and Dubai, it just isn't done on such a grand and extravagant scale these days.
Many do not understand that the Grand America was more a philanthropic gift to Salt Lake City, than a profit inducing machine. It will be many years before Holding recoups his investment. However, this was his long-held dream, since he was a young man. My sister-in-law was his chief accountant before her passing, and mentioned this particular dream of his before it was built.
Anyway, we need someone who has a vision for the taller,landmark towers, and the deep-pocket money to be patient not to receive a profit for perhaps a few years to come. A local Visionary, such as Miller, Holding, Huntsman, or a Mariott. Once one of these types steps in and builds, others will often follow.
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I love your enthusiasm Future Mayor and look forward to your occupancy of City Hall. 
One thing you have to promise me. Look into and push hard for the development of the Northwest sector of Salt Lake City proper. There's a lot of talk about it in certain circles and I'm all for it. Two things are paramount for the Northwest Sector, "an urban dense plan, with light rail access along No. Temple." Also, how about pushing for merging So. Salt Lake into Salt Lake City proper.
Another thought. Imagine what this could do for Magna's historic Main Street. Wow, that would be like another Park City in the making,(rich mining history included). How cool would that be!! The old Main Street backs right up to the foothill. I think the days of Magna being strictly blue collar are coming to an end in the near future.
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