Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Page 223

urbanboy · #**4441** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 7:58 PM**

I sent this to Mayor Ralph Becker:

Dear Ralph,

I have heard rumors that Arrow Press Square could see the wrecking ball for a convention hotel. This would be a travesty not only in my mind, but in the minds of many. I have attached to this email a graphic showing a possible location for a convention hotel on block 69, that would not require the demolition of any existing building.

Sincerely,
urbanboy (name change)

Salty Laker · #**4442** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 8:55 PM**

You called him Ralph?

Comrade · #**4443** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:04 PM**

I hope you at least addressed him as Mayor Becker. heh

T-Mac · #**4444** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:06 PM**

Welcome Salty Laker. It's always good to have new people join the forum.

urbanboy · #**4445** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:23 PM**

This is not my first correspondence with him. I don't think he's the type of person who will disregard my ideas just because I didn't properly address him. Furthermore, I knew Mayor Ralph Becker before he became the new Mayor.

So what? No comments on my proposal? that's all you can say?!

Wow, you guys are a tough crowd.

Comrade · #**4446** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:37 PM**

I don't think he's the type, either, but is a sign of respect. I knew Peter Corroon when I worked with him on Howard Dean's campaign and became fairly good friends with him and now when I see him, I still call him Mayor Corroon. But eh, no big deal.

As for your proposals, you posted them before, right? That's probably why people aren't replying, since they did it when you originally posted 'em.

SLC Rocks · #**4447** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ute_City

What's so special about Arrow Press Square? I was at Blue Iguana today and got a good look at this complex. It has seen better days and there is nothing historic about this in my opinion. A muti story hotel with convention space would be a great use for this area with its proximity to Capitol Theater and the Salt Palace.

These are historic buildings, maybe not registered, but historic in the sense that they give salt lake a unique flavor, that is my opinion. I think this area should be redeveloped but not torn down. If people want a plastic city, move to Atlanta or Miami, Salt Lake has already lost "Old" and kick ass architecture that can never be duplicated to dickweed projects. There are plenty of Alternative locations for a "convention hotel". It needs to be further away from the mecca anyway so I can get drunk and nail whores.

urbanboy · #**4448** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 9:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

As for your proposals, you posted them before, right? That's probably why people aren't replying, since they did it when you originally posted 'em.

The Convention Hotel is new. Do you like my idea of how a Convention hotel could fit into the built environment, without disturbing it?

Comrade · #**4449** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 10:10 PM**

I'd still rather have the convention hotel go where that parking structure is south of Arrowpress Square.

urbanboy · #**4450** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 10:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Rocks

It [Convention Hotel] needs to be further away from the mecca anyway so I can get drunk and nail whores.

Historically, one need only travel to Regent Street, between South Temple and 100 South, to do all those things. This was the red light district.

T-Mac · #**4451** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 10:36 PM**

I went down Regent Street this morning from 100 S to 200 S and there is a sign down there that said that it was the first street to chop the blocks in half and it was known as Commercial Street and had a couple of brothels on it.

airhero · #**4452** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salty Laker

You called him Ralph?

What a weird first post.

DENrising · #**4453** Posted **Mar 29, 2008, 11:59 PM**

We should retain our past historical architecture and make that a priority and find new uses for them, whether it be street level retail, residential or live-work spaces. Look at the building at 2nd and 2nd, it has been rejuvinated, with residential above although no business has yet to move into the ground floor, it is something we should use as a blueprint for old vacant buildings. Let's maintain our history, Once it's gone, it is gone. On the same note, older buildings in SLC that sit boarded up and vacant should be rejuvinated to prevent another DV8 building fire.

urbanboy · #**4454** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 12:08 AM**

I agree 100%!!!!!!!

jedikermit · #**4455** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 12:12 AM**

I like that location just fine for a convention hotel, but I still prefer the Arrowpress Square site. Sorry.

urbanboy · #**4456** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 12:24 AM**

Arrow Press Square is out of the question!

DENrising · #**4457** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 12:24 AM**

I can see no better place than Main Street in the CBD core to transform old buildings into residential uses, including the Tribune. Imagine being lucky enough to own a condo along Main Street in an historic building? Being able to take an elevator ride down to the sidewalk, and walk to restaurants, clubs, TRAX and even work. Wow, talk about a walkable street this could be, with a good mix of businesses and residents. People are starting to wake up and live, play and work in the city, thanks to $3+ gall gas. Downtown is the new Sandy!

urbanboy · #**4458** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 1:34 AM**

Here is a close up:

The upper levels on the east to west section of the hotel will be rooms. The first 4 or so levels on the north to south section of the hotel will need to be conference rooms, washing rooms, kitchens, and others rooms that do not require windows.

Sight-Seer · #**4459** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 2:14 AM**

Arrowpress Square is just some pretty ordinary single story buildings that could easily be recreated somewhere else. I picture a gleaming 40-story hotel called Arrowpress Place. (By the way, what is an "arrowpress"?)

For a convention hotel to appear to be part of the Salt Palace center, it has to be across the street, preferrably connected by a skybridge. (I just blew a few minds!) Even half a block is too far. The Marriot hotel is an ideal location, but that probably won't happen, unless they decide to expand. Shilo is also a good location. Some of the best locations already have smaller hotels.

RFPCME · #**4460** Posted **Mar 30, 2008, 2:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Rocks

These are historic buildings, maybe not registered, but historic in the sense that they give salt lake a unique flavor, that is my opinion. I think this area should be redeveloped but not torn down. If people want a plastic city, move to Atlanta or Miami, Salt Lake has already lost "Old" and kick ass architecture that can never be duplicated to dickweed projects. There are plenty of Alternative locations for a "convention hotel". It needs to be further away from the mecca anyway so I can get drunk and nail whores.

Whoa! Atlanta or Miami as plastic cities? I don't think so. Miami has the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the country. Atlanta, especially downtown and mid-town, have some great old buildings with character and historical or cultural significance. The GA Tech campus in Mid-town is pure charm. Want plastic? Try Irvine CA or the world's best plastic, "Vegas!"

I'm trying to think what architectural "gems" have been lost in SLC. Probably the Centre theatre and certainly the Newhouse Hotel (which is still a parking lot). The Newhouse hotel should have been saved just because Sam Newhouse, the mining baron from Beaver County, built it. He is one of the most interesting characters in Utah history. But most of the gems are still there. There weren't many to begin with.

Arrow Press is not a gem. It's just old. However, Big D Construction took something that was common rock and turned it into a gem in their offices at the Old Fuller Paint building. So maybe there is a future for Arrow Press especially if there is something historically significant about the area. Anyone know the history of Arrow Press Square before 1970?