Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[leerjet]

They didn't get very specific about this program but it sounds nice...

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=3117296

I wonder if it has anything to do with LEEDS certification?

[DENrising]

Originally Posted by delts145

From the way the head of Delta talked it would definately appear that AMS will be in the near future. I imagine that the Guv. is going to push for a non-stop to Asia big-time. One thing is sure obvious. If the merger goes as planned, the airport is finally in for alot of change and growth.

This is good to hear. I would like to see these two IC flights added, perhaps momentum will pick up once the merger is approved. I understand the Guv also travels to Asia frequently and even has adopted children from Asia. I think his travel experience there and connections WILL get a SLC>Narita flight. What about Shanghai? Wasn't the ATL>Shanghai flight approved? This merger is going to be so good for Asia travelers, I look forward to earning my TransPac skymiles.

[delts145]

Another big impact this pending merger would have, is to put the Wasatch ski industry into an even bigger boom than it's already in. This has the potential to add an additional huge market of Europeans and Asians to the already growing domestic market. Because of the proximity of the airport and metro to the resorts, we could be catching up with Colorado in skier days a lot sooner than anticipated. It would mean the expansion plans around the Ogden area, the new proposed resorts, and the interconnect will probably be put on a much higher priority list by investors and developers.
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[DENrising]

Originally Posted by delts145

Another big impact this pending merger would have, is to put the Wasatch ski industry into an even bigger boom than it's already in. This has the potential to add an additional huge market of Europeans and Asians to the already growing domestic market. Because of the proximity of the airport and metro to the resorts, we could be catching up with Colorado in skier days a lot sooner than anticipated. It would mean the expansion plans around the Ogden area, the new proposed resorts, and the interconnect will probably be put on a much higher priority list by investors and developers.
.

Delts, this is yet one more reason why Delta's hub in SLC is so secure. SLCIA is a mere 30 minutes from multiple world class ski resorts and we still brag about over 500" of fresh powder (thats 12.70 meters) as we even exceeded this year. So why not use the ski industry to attract European and Asian skiiers. After all, when Europeans get tired of the Alps they can use their advantage in the Euro>Dollar exchange rate and visit SLC for skiing!

How long is it from an International Airport to the ski resorts in Colorado? British Columbia? Salt Lake definitely has the advantage here.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by SLCrising

Delts, this is yet one more reason why Delta's hub in SLC is so secure. SLCIA is a mere 30 minutes from multiple world class ski resorts and we still brag about over 500" of fresh powder (thats 12.70 meters) as we even exceeded this year. So why not use the ski industry to attract European and Asian skiiers. After all, when Europeans get tired of the Alps they can use their advantage in the Euro>Dollar exchange rate and visit SLC for skiing!

How long is it from an International Airport to the ski resorts in Colorado? British Columbia? Salt Lake definitely has the advantage here.

I'm not sure about BC but it is a minimum of two hours to the nearest resort from Denver IA. It is in no way a fly in in the morning, shuttle to the resort get a full day of skiing and fly back out that evening type of option. Yet one additional reason why our ski industry is the best.

[DENrising]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I'm not sure about BC but it is a minimum of two hours to the nearest resort from Denver IA. It is in no way a fly in in the morning, shuttle to the resort get a full day of skiing and fly back out that evening type of option. Yet one additional reason why our ski industry is the best.

Exactly Future, SLCIA is quite possibly the closest airport of its size, volume to major ski resorts, just counting The Cottonwoods (4) and Park City (3) all within a very short shuttle ride of the baggage claim. No one else can say that.

I think this and a weak dollar overseas should attract more and more international skiiers to Salt Lake. The potential is mind boggling. How will they get here? More Non stop flights by Delta.

We should start planning that LTR up Parleys Canyon.

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I'm pretty sure the local government is awake and fully aware of the airport issue. We have to remember that roughly a year ago Delta was still in bankruptcy and could have still gone belly up at any time. Now that things seem more solid with the proposed merger I think SLC and the state will begin to implement the airport expansion, but again we have to be patient because the FAA still has to approve the merger.

Future Mayor:

I sure hope you're right. But, like Skyguy, I feel the airport administration lacks vision and direction, taking the path of least resistance.

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by SLCrising

We should start planning that LTR up Parleys Canyon.

Forigve me, but what does LTR stand for? Light Rail?

[delts145]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Future Mayor:

I sure hope you're right. But, like Skyguy, I feel the airport administration lacks vision and direction, taking the path of least resistance.

Wasn't it more of dealing with the reality and aftermath of 9-11. The necessity of getting by as best as one can during some very difficult times for all of the industry. If an airport wasn't expanded before 9-11, it was pretty much out of luck. It actually looks like many of the bright and newly expanded domestic airports of the 90's are going to see a significant downsizing in their out and inbound flights. Not only are the airlines being forced to merge or go under, but many airports/metros in a way are going to have their services absorbed by a lucky minority, such as SLC.

[ski_steve]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

Forigve me, but what does LTR stand for? Light Rail?

yeah, LRT means Light Rail. Which would be absoulty amazing to have up Parleys to Park City! Would cost a load though.

[Scraperdude801]

yeah that would be amazing. ... Is this just speculation on SLCrising's part or is this an actual consideration in the next 20 years? This is the first I've heard of this.

[StevenF]

Im not sure if LRT up parleys would be cost effective with how much energy it would take to push it up the steep canyon.

There is a reason why there is a rail line coming from the Tremonton side into Cache Valley instead of Brigham City up Sardin Canyon. There just isn't near as much of a climb from that side then going up the 4-6% grades. That route even adds a few miles getting into Logan since the rail line splits at Cache Junction heads south through Mendon, Wellsville, Hyrum then heads North into Logan and farther north.

Sorry, but I just don't see a LRT running up Parleys.

[delts145]

SLCrising, wasn't this more one of your wishes on a wish list? I think we had talked about it over on the comp. thread. Also, you had mentioned the electrified third rail vs. the current type set-up of TRAX. Is the electrified rail something more feasible for climbs such as those that would be required for Park City?

I imagine that the population of Snyderville Basin wouldn't justify rail transport for quite some time into the future. However, perhaps the advent of several million additional visitors moving to and from the resorts would put pressure on the need for a better commuter system between the Valleys and the Resorts. Probably, that would be best accomplished by new CNG or more enviromently compatible buses. I'm a big fan of the new CNG buses, which have been coming on-line in L.A.

[delts145]

Cats back on guard at the Capitol

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695272666,00.html



A marble lion weighing around 17,000 pounds adorns the east-side steps to the state Capitol in Salt Lake after it was hoisted to its spot Monday. Eventually, the statehouse will have four such gaurdians - "Fortitude," "Intergrity," "Patience" and "Honor" - Which replace concrete versions. (Tim Hussen, Deseret News)

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[delts145]

Holly refinery
$17M vowed to curb pollution
Woods Cross business will also pay a $120K fine for violations

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_9009034

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[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by delts145

Wasn't it more of dealing with the reality and aftermath of 9-11. The necessity of getting by as best as one can during some very difficult times for all of the industry. If an airport wasn't expanded before 9-11, it was pretty much out of luck. It actually looks like many of the bright and newly expanded domestic airports of the 90's are going to see a significant downsizing in their out and inbound flights. Not only are the airlines being forced to merge or go under, but many airports/metros in a way are going to have their services absorbed by a lucky minority, such as SLC.

Ah, Delts, you are always such a gentleman, a trait to be admired. Tis true that all airports in the US after 9-11 put things on hold. But my concerns about SLC Int go way back before 9-11.

I have been flying in and out of SLC Int on business since the late 70's (that's 1970's, not 1870's), and airport development has always been ad hoc, catch-as-catch-can, path of least resistance.

There have always been master plans, but those master plans seem to get circumvented when it comes time to spend money. What irks me most is what appears to be a lack of understanding of the economic value of that airport to the entire region. Local leaders give it lip service, but not much else.

I assume Salt Lake City has the primary responsibility for setting policy and direction for the airport. Maybe it's time to move that responsibility state-wide since what goes on at the airport affects a much larger area than Salt Lake City. Sometimes local governments are not well equipped to deal with large, sophisticated, critically important issues. We would never expect a city to be responsibile for a freeway system within its boundaries. Maybe it's now time to apply the same logic to the airport.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by delts145

Cats back on guard at the Capitol

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695272666,00.html


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Nice. I was watching this story on the news last night and thought it was cool that these guys are bring back the loins. I really love how nice our capitol is now that it's restored and it's something we can all be proud of.

[delts145]

Don't get me wrong RFPCME, I definately agree with much of what you are saying. Although, I do think that the Corradini administration spear-headed some good improvements along the way, so as to keep up with the Olympic event. It should be noted that Salt Lake has fended off and triumphed over many competitors and trends emerging over the past 15 years. This could not have happened if Salt Lake didn't have one of the better reputations around, and other serious advantages in it's pocket. But yes, I agree that Salt Lake has been very comservative with its approach to the airport. Instead of building a facility that was visionary or years ahead of it's time,(such as Denver) it has instead expanded and made improvements on a 'pay as you go' type of schedule. Some would say this is wise, and others would say its stepping over the dollar bill to pick up the shiny penny. Anyway, my belief is that now the former conservatism is no longer so warranted. The pending merger, along with our very aggressive Governor and Utah's hyper growth in key sectors, will make past frugal practices seem ill advised and unnecessary.

As long as the merger proceeds it won't be a matter of 'if' the expansion will take place. It will be about whether it will be uber-fast, fast-track or just accelerated quickly, LOL.

[DENrising]

Yes thats right, the idea of rail up the canyon was tossed around about a month ago. I agreed the LTR probably wouldn't make the steep hill, then suggested some type of funicular. Others suggested an elevated monorail, but I still think that would not fit in with the environment.

Here is a link to that page.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=3443392&highlight=parleys#post3443392

Perhaps the PC area wouldn't justify that type of investment now or in the near future, but I brought this up thinking about bringing in more skiiers thru SLCIA, then thought, wow, how can our local transportation handle this? I'd love to see the extra ski traffic, but only if we can transport them more efficiently, without adding congestion and CFC's. I'd guess the greener buses would be the best choice for now and some time in the future.

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by delts145

Don't get me wrong RFPCME, I definately agree with much of what you are saying. Although, I do think that the Corradini administration spear-headed some good improvements along the way, so as to keep up with the Olympic event. It should be noted that Salt Lake has fended off and triumphed over many competitors and trends emerging over the past 15 years. This could not have happened if Salt Lake didn't have one of the better reputations around, and other serious advantages in it's pocket. But yes, I agree that Salt Lake has been very comservative with its approach to the airport. Instead of building a facility that was visionary or years ahead of it's time,(such as Denver) it has instead expanded and made improvements on a 'pay as you go' type of schedule. Some would say this is wise, and others would say its stepping over the dollar bill to pick up the shiny penny. Anyway, my belief is that now the former conservatism is no longer so warranted. The pending merger, along with our very aggressive Governor and Utah's hyper growth in key sectors, will make past frugal practices seem ill advised and unnecessary.

As long as the merger proceeds it won't be a matter of 'if' the expansion will take place. It will be about whether it will be uber-fast, fast-track or just accelerated quickly, LOL.

Delts:

You are forever the voice of reason...not much of that around anymore.

Uber-fast airport development is what I vote for.

Speaking of voting, let me know when you run for public office. You got my vote.