Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[Logline]

So, this might be premature, but I may be interviewed by a writer for the Trib who will be doing an article on downtown living. I happen to live in a downtown loft (which I love) and thought I would ask you guys here to see if there were topics I should bring up in the interview. I already love the accessibility of everything downtown and living in a loft has several advantages in itself, but I thought I would poll the brain pool here for other ideas. I'm sure there are others like me here who want the rest of SLC to know how great it is to live in the middle of the city. I also wanted to touch upon the fact that my wife and I only need 1 car and the environmental advantages are numerous. Any other positives I should talk about that I can't remember?

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Logline

So, this might be premature, but I may be interviewed by a writer for the Trib who will be doing an article on downtown living. I happen to live in a downtown loft (which I love) and thought I would ask you guys here to see if there were topics I should bring up in the interview. I already love the accessibility of everything downtown and living in a loft has several advantages in itself, but I thought I would poll the brain pool here for other ideas. I'm sure there are others like me here who want the rest of SLC to know how great it is to live in the middle of the city. I also wanted to touch upon the fact that my wife and I only need 1 car and the environmental advantages are numerous. Any other positives I should talk about that I can't remember?

You should bring up why can't developers develop more affordable housing downtown. Sure it's great to see all these new condo towers and lofts getting built allover. But they are not really affordable for most people. Unless you are rich who wants to move into a $350,000 + Loft. When with that same money one could buy a four bedroom house say in west jordan or sandy? I think MORE people would move downtown if there was MORE affordable housing.
Just a thought.

[Viperlord]

Originally Posted by Logline

So, this might be premature, but I may be interviewed by a writer for the Trib who will be doing an article on downtown living. I happen to live in a downtown loft (which I love) and thought I would ask you guys here to see if there were topics I should bring up in the interview. I already love the accessibility of everything downtown and living in a loft has several advantages in itself, but I thought I would poll the brain pool here for other ideas. I'm sure there are others like me here who want the rest of SLC to know how great it is to live in the middle of the city. I also wanted to touch upon the fact that my wife and I only need 1 car and the environmental advantages are numerous. Any other positives I should talk about that I can't remember?

How about not having to shovel snow, take care of a yard, freeing up more spare time

Plus, many things to do at night, and not having to drive miles to get there.


I work downtown and used to live about 30 miles away, I moved closer to DT, and now only live about 10 miles away now. I save a whole hour per day on my commutes. That time is well spent sleeping an extra half hour in the morning, and relaxing in the evening. Now, Imagine working and living right in DT SLC. 5 minute walk to and from work. A whole crap load of your life gained back.

[Logline]

Good point, but I think living downtown is not as expensive as people say. Just take a look at some of these entry level prices. They don't seem that out of reach for a family with average jobs or a young professional with a slightly higher-middle income:

http://www.utahrealestate.com/search/?pt...totbth1=0&totsqf1=0&garagcap1=0&x=38&y=5

My place was certainly well below $350k and I think I got a great bang for my buck.

[Logline]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

How about not having to shovel snow, take care of a yard, freeing up more spare time

Plus, many things to do at night, and not having to drive miles to get there.


I work downtown and used to live about 30 miles away, I moved closer to DT, and now only live about 10 miles away now. I save a whole hour per day on my commutes. That time is well spent sleeping an extra half hour in the morning, and relaxing in the evening. Now, Imagine working and living right in DT SLC. 5 minute walk to and from work. A whole crap load of your life gained back.

Great point Viperlord. I've lived downtown for 2 years and can't think of a time when I've been stuck in traffic. In fact, our car can often go several days without ever being used. I guess I never stopped to think about how much personal free time I have gained by living here. I used to live in the 'burbs when I lived in CA and life was miserable. Quality of life is a BIG factor. Thanks for the reminder!

[urbanboy]

I agree, talking about the time saved is a great idea. Also, you might want to talk about the rich history, authentic street scape, and the stories each building and street tell. Furthermore, Downtown's future looks bright. With so much going on as far revitalization, it's exhilarating, even soul stirring to be part of all the action. Maybe experiencing all this stimuli brings possibility and hope of humanity into your life.

[Scraperdude801]

yeah I live DT also. If it was me I would talk about how I hardly ever use a car anymore, how I am surrounded by oodles of history, new stuff that I am still finding out after living in DT for nearly 2 years. How Memory Grove is literally a block away from DT (I still consider it DT) and how beautiful a recreation spot that is for those with dogs. Mainly with the creek flowing through it, the romance of it, the history, then city creek canyon that it feeds into. How gateway is right there, how symphony hall, capitol theater, rose wagner, the depot, and other unique music venues and art galleries are scattered through downtown and how it is only going to get better with the restoration of the historic Utah Pantages theatre, a new broadway theater. ... How retail and residential options are ever expanding with CCC. How the community and developers are bringing back Pioneer Park so it will also become an urban oasis, with restaraunts and interesting urban residential lining its streetscape. I would also talk about how trax is expanding and commuter rail is almost here. How one day there will be a downtown circulator which will make DT even more pedestrian friendly. Talk about the views and how amazing they are. Mention that West High School where kids would go if families moved in was recently the #1 school in Utah! which is a huge misconception because of its past, many people think it is dangerous. Talk about how safe you feel, and how Cities can be a wonderful place to raise your children, and how much cultural education it will afford your children that they would not recieve in the burbs. I would also talk about some of the colleges in DT. There is BYU Salt Lake, Steven Hennigers(spelling?) Business College, LDS Business College, Eagle Gate College, SLCC Community College, Utah College of Massage Therapy, The University of Utah is just outside of DT and is connected via traxx, Westminster College and it's beautiful campus is only a 10-15 minute drive from DT. I'd also talk about the Library and how it is the epicenter of libraries in the state, how the leonardo is going in and will only further establish SLC as an education center, etc.


there is really so much to talk about, I am sure you will do great!!!

[Scraperdude801]

haha ... just thought of some more.

I would also talk about the different historic residential neighbors of DT and that are close to DT like:

1. The Marmalade district with it's breathtaking views over the west side, it's quaint and narrow streets, its prestigious views of the capitol building and grounds, and it's beautiful historical homes (which many have been rennovated inside to be very nice.)

2. The Avenues - the most popular probably, the many beautiful victorian mansions, homes, historic apartment buildings, churches.

3. Capitol Hill - it's historical feeling, the many great views it offers, the conference center, the capitol, the historic City hall, historic white chapel with the star of david, the view of DT and Memory grove. Parks like City creek park, brigham park, Kimbell park all within a stones throw from eachother.

4. The memory grove neightborhood with city creek park, memory grove, it's quaint historic homes with the creek running through the middle of the street, the secluded, hallowed feeling that the shade of the trees and sound of bubbling water mixed with beautiful homes, the historic firehouse and romantic horse drawn carriage rides lend to.

....

I'd also talk about some of the unique historic retail like Sam Wellers bookstore, Lam's cafe, etc.


k I will stop cuz I could go on forever!

actually also mention how there are 4 grocery stores and soon to be 5:
Albertsons
Smiths Market Place
Smiths in the Avenues
and Whole Foods on 400 S.
soon to be Harmons in the absolute heart of the City with residential on top. Imagine living on top of an urban grocery store with the train 1 block away and DT at your doorstep, talk about reclaiming time in your life.

[delts145]

^^^
Scraperdude, I'm loving your passion for downtown, but stop it!! Your making me want to move... RIGHT NOW, LOL.

[ski_steve]

I was on I-15 this afternoon, and I could see several cranes towering in downtown. It looked pretty sweet But I bet it would be a much better sight to see all of City Creek, 222 s Main all topping out!! Also I could see the bridges at citifront being built, looks topped off and fairly nice.


Yeah living downtown or at least close is pretty much amazing! I live on campus at the U and I love having trax right outside and I feel very connected to downtown. Oh and delts, you should just move downtown, cause its amazing!!!!

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Logline

Good point, but I think living downtown is not as expensive as people say. Just take a look at some of these entry level prices. They don't seem that out of reach for a family with average jobs or a young professional with a slightly higher-middle income:

http://www.utahrealestate.com/search/?pt...totbth1=0&totsqf1=0&garagcap1=0&x=38&y=5

My place was certainly well below $350k and I think I got a great bang for my buck.

Hey thanks for the link. Some of those prices were not as bad sa I thought they would be. It is my dream to live in downtown Salt Lake. Since I work at the airport I hope that one day I could take the Trax from downtown to the Airport so that way I don't have to use my car. Right now I drive about 20-35 miles to and from work. The other day I was hearing on the radio that gas prices COULD hit $4 by this summer. Hearing that really makes me want to lose my car and take trax.

[delts145]

Apartment rents rising - Vacancies at 4.5%; population and job growth squeezing market

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8341944

Strong demand for apartments pushed Salt lake County rental rates up 8.8 percent last year to an average of $733 - the highest increase in a decade.

.

[delts145]

Park City Business Center goes up - Ivory Development and Burbage brothers build light industrial, small office and large warehouse space on U.S. Highway 40


http://www.parkrecord.com/business/ci_8337848


The infrastructure is installed for the new Park City Business Center along U.S. Highway 40, which is scheduled to open this fall. Ivory Development and the Burbage brothers of Park City are overseeing the project, which will create more than 40 acres of light industrial and commercial office space for businesses. (Scott Sine/Park Record)

Park City has seen a surge in commercial development along U.S. 40 the last few years. Quinn's Junction will soon be the site of the IHC Hospital, a 300,000-square-foot facility, with additional medical support office buildings surrounding it. The U.S. Ski Team also broke ground for its Center for Excellence, a 85,000-square-foot athletic training center, Commerce CRG reports. And Stock Lumber recently opened a location near Brown's Canyon, where more commercial development will be added this year.



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[Sight-Seer]

logline: tell about what it's like to live there; ordinary things like where you buy groceries, where you park, where the schools are. I'd be interested in that, too.

Also as far as affordable housing: the Belmont condos will start at $180,000. That's on 9th South State not far from where I live. The city needs to work harder to promote affordable houseing. People don't do it voluntarily as you can see by the prices of most of these projects. I wonder if low price neighborhoods would work or if they'd turn into ghettos.

[ctobsl]

Originally Posted by Sight-Seer

logline: I wonder if low price neighborhoods would work or if they'd turn into ghettos.

They would turn into ghettos in my opinion, but if they were condos then maybe people would have more pride and take care of them. If they were apartments, then they would end up being trashed and the neighborhood would go down hill. Look at the Citifront Apartments on North Temple and 6th West. They may look nice on the outside, but once inside, it is a different story. You have a modern Salt Lake City version of the "Projects"

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by ctobsl

They would turn into ghettos in my opinion, but if they were condos then maybe people would have more pride and take care of them. If they were apartments, then they would end up being trashed and the neighborhood would go down hill. Look at the Citifront Apartments on North Temple and 6th West. They may look nice on the outside, but once inside, it is a different story. You have a modern Salt Lake City version of the "Projects"

I think you're being a little too dramatic there, heh. I've been in the Citifront Apartments on a few occasions and it isn't bad at all. You've got a lot of young people living there, especially college aged people like myself.

If you want to see rundown apartments, duplexes and fourplexes, go check out the neighborhood I grew up in. The two can't really compare.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by ctobsl

They would turn into ghettos in my opinion, but if they were condos then maybe people would have more pride and take care of them. If they were apartments, then they would end up being trashed and the neighborhood would go down hill. Look at the Citifront Apartments on North Temple and 6th West. They may look nice on the outside, but once inside, it is a different story. You have a modern Salt Lake City version of the "Projects"

Same story with the Gateway Apartments above the Gateway Mall. My wife and I took a tour there once. The outside looks very nice, but inside was trashy. It smelled and the floors and walls were stained. And you could hear EVERYTHING that goes on around you. I was very disappointed.

[Comrade]

Have you two ever lived in the ghetto? Trashy and ghetto are not the same. I've lived in a complex where there were shootings and drug deals and stabbings and overdoses. This is not what you see at Citifront or the Gateway Apartments. They're nice compared to what I grew up in. So yeah, they may not be upscale, but they are far from ghetto.

Ghetto is when you're not sure you'll wake up in the morning because of the violence you see right before you close your eyes at night. Ghetto is playing outside and finding a pile of heroin needles and realizing you came within a few inches of poking yourself with them. Ghetto is sitting in your living room when bullets fly through your window and slam into your wall. Ghetto is seeing a man die in the middle of your street because everyone is afraid to call the police because they're hiding something. That's what I experienced growing up and I can tell you right now the Gateway and Citifront ain't ghetto.

[T-Mac]

I can relate Comrade. I grew up on 1500 W and 500 S. Not a very pleasant neighborhood now. Saw my fair share of violence and gang fights. Glendale Jr High was quite a scary place with the police being there quite often.

[RC14]

You have a good point, I have lived in West Valley all my live. Some people would call that the ghetto, but compared to other major citys in the U.S. Salt Lake dosn't even have a ghetto. I have never felt scared living in West Valley.

However I also have a hard time arguing with Ctobsi, they may not be ghettos but from what I've seen it's realy hard to keep low income appartments in good condition after even a few months. There use to be a realy bad street here in West Valley called Harvy St. (don't know if that's spelled right) a few years ago they demolished that entire street and built retirement homes and low income housing. The retirement homes still look good but I remember going inside one of the new appartments only a year after they had opened and I couldn't belive how much they had trashed the place.