Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[Viperlord]

I was digging through my e-mail inbox recently.....

Kinda funny a few years back with the soccer stadium debate I was e-mailing my opionions and support to a guy by the name of Ralph Becker, well... a few years later we all now who Ralph is now...

I e-mailed him last week about the Broadway Theater.

I wrote.....

"Dear Mayor Becker,

I am writing with my concerns about a Downtown Broadway theater. It appears that Sandy has been really trying to make themselves look important by placing a theater in their city. I think Downtown SLC could really use this theater as part of their cultural district. I really think that something needs to be done to bring the broadway theater downtown SLC."


He responded...

"Thank you for your email on the Big Theater. We’re in synch with you and working hard to bring the theater downtown with many others. Please keep weighing in where you can,

Ralph"

He also CCed "Hale, Karen".... Who is Karen Hale??? I know she is involved with government somewhere along the way...

should you want to write your support of a downtown Broadway Theater the e-mail addresses are below...
[email protected]
[email protected]



I also e-mailed a guy by the name of Steve_Aste (developer of Market Station in South Salt Lake)


I wrote......

Steve,

I have contacted you previously in the past about the MarketStation development. I would like to say that I really like the renderings of the development. It will add a ton to the area.

I was just curious about the six hundred llc, project listed at the link below?

http://www.kahrrealestate.com/OM%20Sample,%20short.pdf

The project looks like its got some good mass to it, a lot better than the proposed 5 story hotels by the summitt group. I know that the SLC RDA board discussed this parcel recently. Is your proposal for the lot shelved? I would really like to see you get a project in the Downtown SLC area.

Thanks for your time, and thanks again for improving the South Salt Lake area with your projects."


He replied....

Thank you for your compliments.
The downtown Salt Lake project is on hold for now, as the hotel group you mentioned has signed an option for
the piece of property. They have a certain amount of time for some due diligence.
It will be interesting to see what, if anything comes of it.

I have been working on other potential sites in the downtown area.

I appreciate your interest,"


I think if Steve can get a project in DT SLC that would be sweet.

[delts145]

Thanks Viper for that info. I will definately send an e-mail off to at least Mayor Becker. Also would like to get his opinion on the style of the sky bridge.

[ctobsl]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

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.

Hi there Comrade, I did live in the ghetto, Bronx New York, I grew up there. I have also lived in the Citifront Apartments for a few years. It is in the beginning stages of becomming a ghetto. Yes there is crime there, drug deals, muggings, car break ins, gang fights and all your little wanna be trouble makers that like to hang out there. The police and fire dept. were there at least twice a week. Hopefully with all the new construction going on around that area things will change and the police dept. will pay more attention to that part of town and clean it up. On another note, I do enjoy reading your postings and seeing what you have to say about our city. For the most part, I only read what goes on here, but seldom post unless it is something that really gets my interest. I love the way the city is growing and I can't wait for all the new high rises to come on line. I just wish they would build them taller. Anthony

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by ctobsl

Hi there, I did live in the ghetto, Bronx New York, I grew up there. I have also lived in the Citifront Apartments. It is the beginning stages of a ghetto.

haha, sure it is.

Hit me up when people are overdosing in the halls and being shot out front every few days.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

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.

I belivie I used the word "Trashy" Not "Ghetto" I never said the "Gateway Partments" were "Ghetto", but they were "Trashy" And yes I have lived in the Ghetto. Ever been to North Long Beach? It's just South of Compton. Now that's the Ghetto. And yes I have wroken up to gun shots and police cars. I've seen police helicopters with lights pointed down on the streets. We called them "Ghetto Birds" I've walked down streets that would have abandon burn cars and all the houses would have steal bars on the windows and doors. Yes I've seen and lived in the Ghetto. Lucky for me I never had any issues. But there are scary area in Long Beach. Even the worst parts of Salt Lake and West Valley look like heaven compare to some of those areas in Long Beach.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I belivie I used the word "Trashy" Not "Ghetto" I never said the "Gateway Partments" were "Ghetto", but they were "Trashy" And yes I have lived in the Ghetto. Ever been to North Long Beach? It's just South of Compton. Now that's the Ghetto. And yes I have wroken up to gun shots and police cars. I've seen police helicopters with lights pointed down on the streets. We called them "Ghetto Birds" I've walked down streets that would have abandon burn cars and all the houses would have steal bars on the windows and doors. Yes I've seen and lived in the Ghetto. Lucky for me I never had any issues. But there are scary area in Long Beach. Even the worst parts of Salt Lake and West Valley look like heaven compare to some of those areas in Long Beach.

You quoted someone saying the Citifront Apartments were modern day projects, or essentially ghetto and then said you agreed and used Gateway as an example. So excuse for me thinking you meant Gateway was like his opinion of Citifront -- which he essentially called ghetto. I do not think Citifront or the Gateway apartments are even remotely close to being ghetto.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

You quoted someone saying the Citifront Apartments were modern day projects, or essentially ghetto and then said you agreed and used Gateway as an example. So excuse for me thinking you meant Gateway was like his opinion of Citifront -- which he essentially called ghetto. I do not think Citifront or the Gateway apartments are even remotely close to being ghetto.

"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 you got to chill out. Not sure why you get so uptight on things sometimes.
All I said was I thought the inside of the "Gateway Apartments were "Trashy. Again I never used the word "Ghetto" since the gateway mall is a nice area. I can't speak for the Citifront apartments since I have never been in them. And even if I did and I agreed with with ctobsl, I still wouldn't call that Ghetto. After what I lived in Long Beach. Salt Lake doesn't really have a real Ghetto and I'm glad for that. ( And I don't mean to talk bad about Long Beach ) since there are nice areas in Long Beach as well.
I wasn't talking Trash about Salt Lake, It was just one apartment building that I once took a tour like two years ago and that I was a little disappointed. Who knows, maybe it's been cleaned up since then.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by SLC 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 you got to chill out. Not sure why you get so uptight on things sometimes.
All I said was I thought the inside of the "Gateway Apartments were "Trashy. Again I never used the word "Ghetto" since the gateway mall is a nice area. I can't speak for the Citifront apartments since I have never been in them. And even if I did and I agreed with with ctobsl, I still wouldn't call that Ghetto. After what I lived in Long Beach. Salt Lake doesn't really have a real Ghetto and I'm glad for that. ( And I don't mean to talk bad about Long Beach ) since there are nice areas in Long Beach as well.
I wasn't talking Trash about Salt Lake, It was just one apartment building that I once took a tour like two years ago and that I was a little disappointed. Who knows, maybe it's been cleaned up since then.

Hey I'm fine, I was just pointing out that you essentially were saying the Gateway was the same as the Citifront when it came to being Salt Lake's version of the projects. Maybe that isn't what you intended, but when you quoted the post and said his statement about Citifront was the same story with the Gateway, well then you can see how I could be confused.

[jmonkey]

Originally Posted by Viperlord

He also CCed "Hale, Karen".... Who is Karen Hale??? I know she is involved with government somewhere along the way...

should you want to write your support of a downtown Broadway Theater the e-mail addresses are below...
[email protected]
[email protected]

Karen Hale is a former State Senator, I believe. She is serving as Becker's Communications Director.

She is also a superdelegate in the Democratic primary, who has endorsed Sen. Clinton.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

And yes I have lived in the Ghetto. Ever been to North Long Beach? It's just South of Compton. Now that's the Ghetto. And yes I have wroken up to gun shots and police cars. I've seen police helicopters with lights pointed down on the streets. We called them "Ghetto Birds" I've walked down streets that would have abandon burn cars and all the houses would have steal bars on the windows and doors. Yes I've seen and lived in the Ghetto. Lucky for me I never had any issues. But there are scary area in Long Beach. Even the worst parts of Salt Lake and West Valley look like heaven compare to some of those areas in Long Beach.

I know that area of Long Beach Projects. I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone, even to just drive through quickly. It's definately the largest ghetto/toxic industrial area of the West Coast.

[Sight-Seer]

According to Wikkipedia: "A ghetto is a section of a city occupied by a group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressures." The crime and stuff happens because it's a ghetto. Anyway I don't think trying to mix upscale and affordable housing -- like they've been trying to do -- is going to work. It makes more sense to have the price determined by location; letting the market determine price. Buying accross from Temple Square would cost several times what it would cost in Rose Park, for example.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Hey I'm fine, I was just pointing out that you essentially were saying the Gateway was the same as the Citifront when it came to being Salt Lake's version of the projects. Maybe that isn't what you intended, but when you quoted the post and said his statement about Citifront was the same story with the Gateway, well then you can see how I could be confused.

Ok, Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Sight-Seer

According to Wikkipedia: "A ghetto is a section of a city occupied by a group who live there especially because of social, economic, or legal pressures." The crime and stuff happens because it's a ghetto. Anyway I don't think trying to mix upscale and affordable housing -- like they've been trying to do -- is going to work. It makes more sense to have the price determined by location; letting the market determine price. Buying accross from Temple Square would cost several times what it would cost in Rose Park, for example.

The problem with that thought is you actually do create a ghetto because areas of town will then become desirable for lower income residents. When you have housing that mixes income, there is a better chance it stays relatively nice and I think -- for downtown -- that is important for this city.

The success rate of mixing income class has actually proven to be more beneficiary to cities than class segregation.

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

The problem with that thought is you actually do create a ghetto because areas of town will then become desirable for lower income residents. When you have housing that mixes income, there is a better chance it stays relatively nice and I think -- for downtown -- that is important for this city.

The success rate of mixing income class has actually proven to be more beneficiary to cities than class segregation.

agreed, considering salt lake is always on edge between mormons and non mormons, east and west oppurtunities, let's not compound the problem by creating a ghetto just because that is what real estate values dictate.

[i-215]

Ah, that's why suburban living is so nice. "Ghetto" = Lawn not mowed.




As far as Mayor Becker, I must say I'm impressed at how open he seems to be in e-mailing with the public. Some city/county folk aren't so great at it. How open was Rocky?

[Viperlord]

I actually got Ralphs e-mail from an old co-worker of his. lol

[delts145]

The 298-square-foot condo

Developers are betting that higher land and construction costs will make such tiny -- but more affordable -- urban living spaces increasingly popular.

By Melinda Fulmer, MSN Real Estate

http://realestate.msn.com/Buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=6285435&GT1=10932



.

[Future Mayor]

That's a very interesting article, I agree that cities need to have price and size options in order to keep people living in the city. I don't however see anything as small as 400 sq ft entering the Salt Lake Metro anytime soon. As much as we would like to think our city is all Growed Up, like other metro we still aren't in the same classifications as those listed in the article.

I think the closest thing we have to small is the Patrick Dry Goods lofts.
http://www.patrickdrygoods.com/index.html I like this concept and would love to view a model in person, I like how they have taken advantage of the height of each level to maximize space. I also like the location, it brings more residents nearer to the CBD, although there are only 40 units, if sold out that could put the potential of another 60 people, (average of 1.5 per unit) into local retail on a daily basis. I think it's a nice connection from housing in the Gateway district to housing CCC and surrounding areas.

The key to low/moderate income housing in the central city is a true mixed income approach. I stopped by citifront when I was in town and I was seriously repulsed by the interior of the building and even more so by the intererior of the apartment I needed to visit. I nearly vomitted. To truly integrate low/moderate income into new developments I believe that developers and landlords must take advantage of low income housing credits in their developments. My goal as a developer and also from studies i've read is to provide 25-33% low/moderate income units within a new development. Someone had commented that you tend to live and maintain your property similar to those around you. I feel that a mix of 25% low/moderate income units could actually be maintained as a nice place to live. The key is to not classify the development as low income, and nobody needs to know who is low income or not. Several collegues in social work agree that this type of mixture can help to provide incentive to those in the low/mod units to make the most of what they have and can provide a spring board to lift their lives up, because they are surrounded by those that are not considered to be low to mod income.

[Sight-Seer]

Most of the nausia people are describing are from apartments, which have they're own unique problems.

I have a legitimate question (several): What stops someone who buys an artificially low-priced condo from turning around and selling it at market value and making a huge profit? Will the unit ever reach market value? Is there any way to keep it from reaching market value?

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Sight-Seer

Most of the nausia people are describing are from apartments, which have they're own unique problems.

I have a legitimate question (several): What stops someone who buys an artificially low-priced condo from turning around and selling it at market value and making a huge profit? Will the unit ever reach market value? Is there any way to keep it from reaching market value?

Contract language is placed into the purchase contract regarding a condo or home that is sold to a low/mod income buyer where the remainder is subsidized, basically it is a lease to own contract. Habitat for humanity is the same way, after ten years the owners of a Habitat home are able to sell their property at market value. If for instance an individual did end up having to sell there home prior to the ten years the home can be sold at market value but the difference in percentage of what the resident paid and what it sold for would go back into the government fund that subsidized the purchase in the first place. The percentage of ownership goes up each year until the full term of the agreement (10 years).