Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[delts145]

Originally Posted by SLCrising

I love Exchange Pl, I woul've loved to have seen it during its heyday, when we finally do get a nice warm day, I'm gonna go walk down Exchange Pl and have lunch at Boston Deli and eat outside, COME ON SPRING!!!

Looking outside this morning SLCrising, I would say you would be better off to keep your ski's waxed. Oh well, I guess there's definately a warming trend coming in the next few days.
.

[ski_steve]

New reports applaud Utah's quality of life, business savvy


The Associated Press

A new report says Utah is one of the best states to live in nationally.
CQ Press ranked the state No. 2 based on 44 different factors, including economic development, crime, weather and median household income.
Gov. Jon Huntsman says the recognition is impressive. He attributes it to the state's economy and quality of life.
A separate report ranks Utah No. 9 on a list of business-friendly states. Pollina Corporate says Utah's infrastructure, employee quality and low corporate taxes make it a favorable environment for business.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8839225?source=rss

[ski_steve]

U. seeks to turn west lot into an active hub


By Brian Maffly
The Salt Lake Tribune

A key gateway to the University of Utah campus, where hundreds of TRAX riders board and exit trains every day, sprawls with asphalt.


http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8835427?source=rss

[DENrising]

Originally Posted by stevena07

U. seeks to turn west lot into an active hub


By Brian Maffly
The Salt Lake Tribune

A key gateway to the University of Utah campus, where hundreds of TRAX riders board and exit trains every day, sprawls with asphalt.


http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8835427?source=rss

Great Idea, could be like a "Downtown Disney" for the U. No word if they'll have a tailgate area for use prior to football games.

[Future Mayor]

I may be mistaken but doesn't more of the rowdy tailgating take place in the lot east of the practice facility?

I guess you could always tailgate in the parking structure that they want incorporated into the proposal that will replace the existing parking. Sounds like a real party. "Hey dude come tail gate with me, I'm on level 4 section D"

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I may be mistaken but doesn't more of the rowdy tailgating take place in the lot east of the practice facility?

I guess you could always tailgate in the parking structure that they want incorporated into the proposal that will replace the existing parking. Sounds like a real party. "Hey dude come tail gate with me, I'm on level 4 section D"

Yes. However, opening this area to tailgating would be nice. It'd also be nice, though won't happen, if the U built a smaller sports bar there.

[Viperlord]

Nearly $1 million in upgrades expected to boost Bees revenues

By Debbi Olson
The Enterprise

As the Salt Lake Bees prepare to open its home baseball season Friday, nearly $1 million in upgrades to Franklin Covey Field have been made by the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment Group, franchise owner of the triple A ball club, which is part of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team.

The most noticeable change will be a new scoreboard behind center field.

"Bringing in a new video scoreboard is something we have wanted to do since we bought the team," said Marc Amicone, general manager of the Salt Lake Bees. "The new scoreboard will be a wonderful addition to the ballpark and it will be the icing on the cake for the atmosphere."

The video display will be approximately 31 feet wide by 15 feet high. The top third of the board will feature live video images of activities happening in the ballpark, recorded video images, game highlights and replays. Due to Major League Baseball regulations, live display of the game is not permitted.

The bottom of the scoreboard will feature a full-color LED display that will be used to present advertising messages and game scores from other triple A and MLB games happening throughout the country, as well as other graphics and animation.




Salt Lake Valley condo sales more up than down in first quarter

The Enterprise

Of the 31 zip codes in the Salt Lake Valley, 18 showed increases in condominium sale prices during the first quarter, according to the Wasatch Front Regional Multilisting Service and compiled by Babs De Lay, broker for Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Salt Lake City.

"The numbers of sales are down and the 'days on market' are longer, but the condo market remains healthy and a great investment," she said.

Some zip codes saw huge jumps in sale prices (84103, 84108 and 84118) during the quarter, reflecting new construction that has been completed and sold in the past 12 months. In zip code 84093 there was a 210 percent increase in a sale price but it was just one sale; there were five sales in this area during the same time period in 2007. The largest drop in sale prices was in 84092 -- of 250 percent. Again only one condo sold in that area of luxury condominiums, down from three sales a year ago.

"Any condo within a 10-minute drive from home to downtown or the University of Utah/Westminster has most likely gone up in value," De Lay said. "What I'm also noticing is that luxury condominium sales are slowing all over the valley yet low-income condos under $100,000 or units priced under $300,000 still sell pretty fast. And I'm not seeing many foreclosures or 'short sales' in the downtown condo market as I am seeing in housing around the valley."

[DENrising]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Yes. However, opening this area to tailgating would be nice. It'd also be nice, though won't happen, if the U built a smaller sports bar there.

ESPN Zone!!!!!

[urbanboy]

Just for fun:

[delts145]

^^^
It would be great Urbanboy if some of this would happen. I would like to see the restaurant(pink) and the residential on 400(yellow) happen right now.

[RFPCME]

Sometime ago on this thread, someone (I don't remember who) wrote they had worked hard to preserve the First Security Building on 4th S. and Main. With all the recent discussion concerning Exchange Place and the Newhouse Hotel, I've caught glimpses of the First Security Building in some of the photos, bringing back painful memories of how much I dislike that building.

I thought for a while it was must my poor taste, remembering the comment that the building is one of the better examples of the International Style of Architecture. I have seen several high-rise examples of the International Style (Like the Lever Bros. and UN buildings in NYC, the Toronto-Dominion Centre, et cetera). When this style works, like in the UN buildings or the Toronto-Dominion Centre, it is always a cluster of buildings, providing a context for the sterility of the individual buildings.

In the late 50's, 60's, & into the 70's, this style was dominant in SLC, witness the Kennecott Building, the University Club, The Church Office Building, and others. Of course, there was also the First Security Building, not the worst but the first.

Somethings shouldn't be preserved, such as slavery and smallpox. They need to be eradicated, and we should work hard to see that they are not reintroduced, especially since their return is likely to be in a more virulent form. None of these buildings (with the exception of the re-skinned Zions Bank Building) are good examples of the International Style. Instead they are great examples of Legos gone bad.

[urbane]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Sometime ago on this thread, someone (I don't remember who) wrote they had worked hard to preserve the First Security Building on 4th S. and Main. With all the recent discussion concerning Exchange Place and the Newhouse Hotel, I've caught glimpses of the First Security Building in some of the photos, bringing back painful memories of how much I dislike that building.

I thought for a while it was must my poor taste, remembering the comment that the building is one of the better examples of the International Style of Architecture. I have seen several high-rise examples of the International Style (Like the Lever Bros. and UN buildings in NYC, the Toronto-Dominion Centre, et cetera). When this style works, like in the UN buildings or the Toronto-Dominion Centre, it is always a cluster of buildings, providing a context for the sterility of the individual buildings.

In the late 50's, 60's, & into the 70's, this style was dominant in SLC, witness the Kennecott Building, the University Club, The Church Office Building, and others. Of course, there was also the First Security Building, not the worst but the first.

Somethings shouldn't be preserved, such as slavery and smallpox. They need to be eradicated, and we should work hard to see that they are not reintroduced, especially since their return is likely to be in a more virulent form. None of these buildings (with the exception of the re-skinned Zions Bank Building) are good examples of the International Style. Instead they are great examples of Legos gone bad.

I think you might be trying to piss people off. I'm sure people hated the Newhouse Hotel because they thought it was "Old Fashioned" it is important that we use a little foresight. Building styles go in and out of fashion, just because it may not be your taste I don't think it is fair for you to say it should be removed. People might think the Wells Fargo building is ugly ten or fifteen years from now. But it would be a huge tragedy to tear it down. I think the First Security is a great example of what was popular at the time. Think of it as a time capsule, respect your history a little bit.

[RFPCME]

Urbane:

Not trying to piss people off, just trying to generate some discussion. Maybe unfairly, but I will stick to my statement that the International Style of Architecture did dominate the SLC high-rise developments from the late 50's thru the early 70's. And I will also stick to my belief that style works best in low-rise buildings, like the Harvard School of Design, or in clusters of buildings, such as the Toronto-Dominion complex, where subtleties in building placement generate intrigue.

Wouldn't you agree that a city's skyline helps define the city, its culture, its people? My point is that the preoccupation with international style, in singular high-rise buildings in SLC, did not accurately define the nature of the city during this period, or any period for that matter. SLC is a very unique city, even by international standards, and its prominent buildings should display that uniqueness in some way.

I have no disrespect for history or heritage. But for every shining example in history, there is an equivalently depressing one. We are all entitled to mistakes. The key is to recognize, then correct them. I do not think any of the international style buildings in SLC represent anything significant and are very common, possibly trite. So they don't deserve the reverence we give many of the other structures in SLC.

[delts145]

Most of us are not fans of the University Club tower, and were glad to see the Zions tower receive a new skin. However, I would disagree very strongly that the newly restored First Security should go. Yes, it is recognized by the AIA as one of the nations outstanding examples of that era. It is not my favorite building downtown, but I do appreciate it greatly. The AIA would classify it in a far superior league of successful interpretation in its style, than something such as the Univ Club or the former Bennett Federal building,which has also been reclad. The First Security building certainly stands out as far more unique and pure to it's style than the dominion center in Toronto, which is like any one of thousands of similar buildings across the continent.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

My point is that the preoccupation with international style, in singular high-rise buildings in SLC, did not accurately define the nature of the city during this period, or any period for that matter.

What style or styles do you think "accurately define" the nature of Salt Lake City?
How is it that those buildings you mentioned, including the First Security Building (currently the Ken Garff Building), do not accurately define Salt Lake City and it's culture?
I don't understand the logic behind your point.

The biggest mistake is all the parking lots downtown. Why are you interested in tearing down perfectly functional, well kept buildings, when we have dozens of parking lots to fill?

[delts145]

RFPCME, I definately share your love of the some of the new towers recently completed in Charlotte and Atlanta. That is the style which I would like to see in some of our future 40 plus towers.

[DENrising]

Originally Posted by delts145

Most of us are not fans of the University Club tower, and were glad to see the Zions tower receive a new skin. However, I would disagree very strongly that the newly restored First Security should go. Yes, it is recognized by the AIA as one of the nations outstanding examples of that era. It is not my favorite building downtown, but I do appreciate it greatly. The AIA would classify it in a far superior league of successful interpretation in its style, than something such as the Univ Club or the former Bennett Federal building,which has also been reclad. The First Security building certainly stands out as far more unique and pure to it's style than the dominion center in Toronto, which is like any one of thousands of similar buildings across the continent.

I am glad to see the building still lives, and hope it will be a major part of the new development. Are they planning residential or office space there? I think it has great potential to add to the project, as I'm sure it will be a nice buffer between the new CCC and the rest of Main St.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by SLCrising

I am glad to see the building still lives, and hope it will be a major part of the new development. Are they planning residential or office space there? I think it has great potential to add to the project, as I'm sure it will be a nice buffer between the new CCC and the rest of Main St.

Rising I think you are thinking that the discussion is about the First Security tower on 100 S and Main, and yes I am glad that building got saved. However the discussion seems to be about the ugly factor or architectural significance factor of the Ken Garff Building on 400 S and Main. I think it is a hideous looking building as is the Public Services Building, but I am more than happy to see both remain in the city, because while I may not like the style it definetely ads to the varrying architecture of the city, which in turn give is more character.

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

The biggest mistake is all the parking lots downtown. Why are you interested in tearing down perfectly functional, well kept buildings, when we have dozens of parking lots to fill?

Exactly. Why would we consider tearing down anything downtown when there are so many surface lots that could be built on.

There is seriously enough vacant land downtown that we could build at our current pace for 15 years without demolishing anything.

[esirhgih]

Does anybody know the status of the Intermodal hub TRAX extension? Frontrunner is suppose to open in a few weeks, but last I was there everything was still tore up.