Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[delts145]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

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

Me too Projects, I would like to see more of the marble sculpture around downtown with fountains etc. I'm a big fan of the European style of doing things, when it comes to their squares,fountains and sculpture. Here in downtown Salt Lake we have the kind of blocks, streets and intersections where the grand plazas could be built.

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[delts145]

Valley Fair revival: Construction begins today on mall's renovation

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695272894,00.html


(SatterfiekHelm management Inc.)

Construction crews will break ground today at the Valley Fair Mall, beginning a redevelopment project that will increase retail space by about one-third, spruce up the grounds and upgrade the mall's inside.

The mall will continue to have J.C. Penney, Mervyns and Macy's as anchor stores, as well as a Costco that opened in August. The renovated mall also will feature restaurant and retail space in buildings surrounding the main mall, as well as water and plaza features on the edges of the property. The entire renovation will be finished in fall 2010, said Holly Curby, spokeswoman for the mall's owner, Sandy-based Satterfield-Helm Management Inc.

[delts145]

Mixed reaction to Sugar house Wal-Mart

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695273005,00.html

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[jedikermit]

So for Valley Fair Mall (with the new tagline "It's All About YOU!") , it looks like they're basically renovating the inside, keeping an inside mall, and then adding retail to the outside by expanding the mall itself and adding individual retail pads on the outskirts of the parking lots. Is that really going to make much of a difference?

I guess doing something is better than letting it continue to rot away...right?

[delts145]

Interesting.... Sounds like exactly what they did with University Mall a few years back. Although, I guess they're suppose to be adding an outdoor section now. Looks like Fashion Place is also adding an outdoor section in addtion to the mall renovation itself.

Oh well, it is a big improvement over the old Valley Fair. I never expected West Valley to develop the same kind of project as The Cottonwood.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

So for Valley Fair Mall (with the new tagline "It's All About YOU!") , it looks like they're basically renovating the inside, keeping an inside mall, and then adding retail to the outside by expanding the mall itself and adding individual retail pads on the outskirts of the parking lots. Is that really going to make much of a difference?

I guess doing something is better than letting it continue to rot away...right?

I agree, this project is lame to say the least. I'm a kind of guy who would settle for most projects as most of you guys would know, but even I think this project is creep! All they are doing is ADDING more freaking retail space on the parking lot. It's alot like what Fashion Place Mall is during. When all is said and done Valley Fair will still just be a enclosed Mall. Nothing more. And with this add on it would just look like the "Jordan Landing"
I really like what plans these guys had at first when they were going to tear down that old mall and built a Outdoor Mix-use mall with Mid-high rise buildings and a underground parking lot. ( Kind of like the Gateway )
West Valley drives me nuts. It's the 2nd biggest city in Utah and it doesn't have shit. No city core what so ever! At least Sandy is trying. West Valley on the over hand is creep! The city had plans to make their own "Downtown" or "City Core", but now it's nothing more then a Mall Makeover.
Sure anything is better then nothing, but what is it that Comrade would say?....."No matter how good you make it sound, Shit is still shit." or something like that.

Just my two cents.

[NYC Rick]

It is amazing how the Mountain West section just dwarfs all of the other US areas in participation. More interesting and well written posts...not to mention the inner quality of discussion.

[Neuroguy]

I believe Comrade's statement is "you can polish a turd, but it is still a turd." I admit I laughed long and hard when I read that one. In response to Delts, this is exactly what they did to the University Mall in Orem a face lift both on the inside and most of the outside (the backside is still fugly). They have also begun work on an outdoor retail area that will include a large cinemaplex. The movie house is supposed to go in first followed by the retail. When I get a chance I'll post pictures of that on the appropriate thread. Currently all that has transpired is movements of large piles of dirt and some foundations laid.

While it is easy to be critical of their decision to go this route, I think it is important to remember that many people still love the mall environment and will appreciate the protection from the weather. Let's face it, Americans are generally lazy and seek convenience and in Utah there are only so many weeks of temperate outdoor weather, unlike say, San Diego where being indoors is almost criminal. Before the facelift of the Orem mall it was dead and now it (appears) to be quite busy. America's number one past time still appears to be spending money and the consumption of retail.

If every city along the Wasatch front develops a core of mixed use centers, than what you have is a bunch of heterogeneous cities. Perhaps they could figure out their own niche for a central city development much like Springville in Utah Valley has focused on art as a defining civic entity and has tried (note I say has tried) to create a centralized theme and experience. But then again, I admit I know nothing so I offer this as only an opinion.

[delts145]

^^^ Yeah, I drove by the Orem Mall the other night and the parking lot was completely jammed. Also went into the Towne Center Mall in Provo during a week day and was surprised at how busy it was. I imagine the population growth has something to do with it also.

[T-Mac]

A friend of mine stopped by the Marmalade sales office yesterday and said that there is a sign on the door that says "Temporarily Closed".

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by NYC Rick

It is amazing how the Mountain West section just dwarfs all of the other US areas in participation. More interesting and well written posts...not to mention the inner quality of discussion.

NYC Rick's comments a great reflection on the quality of this thread. I feel the same way. Although my body is now in Georgia, by choice, a big piece of my heart is still in SLC. My hat's off to all who post.

Been thinking about the idea of some form of rail transit to Summit County. Makes enormous sense. I tried living in Summit County for a few years, commuting to SLC. Driving that canyon day-in and day-out ain't fun.

Much more important, there is a two-way, simultaneous flow up and down that canyon. Workers. who cannot afford to live in Summit County, who go up the canyon in the morning and return at night; and workers who go to SLC to work and return. This is almost a perfect mass transit scenario because you have ridership both ways during much of the day. Plus, all the traffic from tourists and skiers. It's ideal.

The mode of rail transport probably has to be heavy rail, like the Front-Runner, in order to pull the grades and maintain the speed. But a new heavy rail line from the transportation hub in SLC, non-stop to Synderville, then on to Park City, makes tremendous sense, although it will be enormously expensive.

There is a second alternative, although much longer, which would use Front-Runner north, connect with the UP lines in Weber Canyon, use the UP lines to Echo, then re-install the rail on the existing bed and right-of-way that runs from Echo right into PC. The problem is that this option would be twice as long. However, a high-speed, non-stop link from Weber Canyon to PC might solve a big piece of the problem.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Neuroguy

I believe Comrade's statement is "you can polish a turd, but it is still a turd.

That's what it was. LOL

Originally Posted by Neuroguy

If every city along the Wasatch front develops a core of mixed use centers, than what you have is a bunch of heterogeneous cities.

But if you notice that has ready began along the Wasatch Front with cities other then downtown SLC such as the South Salt Lake Project, Sandy city projects, Lehi Gehry project planned, ect. It almost like it's a race now with these cities to see who can redeveloped the tallest tower or the hottest urban/core spot.

[delts145]

Alliance shares its vision for a 'cultural district'

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695273352,00.html

From housing in the former Salt Lake Tribune building to a new home for the Salt Lake Art Center, the Downtown Alliance is circulating maps and artistic renderings of its vision of a "cultural district" in downtown Salt Lake City.
The plans hinge on the announcement of the site of a Broadway-style theater, still a month away.

Among the alliance's suggested locations for the Broadway-style theater are the historic Utah Theater, at 148 S. Main; the headquarters of the former Newspaper Agency Corp., 157 S. Regent St.; a parking lot across from the Rose Wagner Center at 138 W. 300 South; and several downtown parcels owned by Earl Holding, owner of Sinclair Oil, Little America hotels and Idaho's Sun Valley resort...



An artist's rendition of possible housing on Regent Street between 200 South and 100 South, looking north. (Downtown Alliance)


This is how Regent Street looks now. Proposed housing would replace the old NAC building. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)


Salt Lake Art Center would be built on the corner of 200 South and Regent Street, where an empty building now stands between 200 South and 100 South, looking north. (Tom Smart, Deseret News)


Conceptual of Salt Lake Art Center

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[delts145]

S.L. is ripe for year-round public market, study finds

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695273295,00.html

...Ted Spitzer, a public-market consultant and president of Market Ventures Inc., said Salt Lake City is ripe for a year-round market and that it would be a "significant benefit to downtown Salt Lake" if developed correctly.

...At the direction of the Downtown Alliance, Spitzer conducted a feasibility study for a year-round market downtown, analyzing comparable public markets, looking at possible sites, and estimating costs and revenues of such a venture...

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[delts145]

O.C. Tanner donates 2nd $1M to Leonardo

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695273300,00.html


The Leonardo at Library Square

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[delts145]

Metro - Park City - Yarrow: demolish and rebuild

'Three-star' hotel isn't good enough in competitive Park City, owner says

...Park City is enjoying a post-Winter Olympic tourism boom, and the city's phenomenal popularity is influencing landowners to put up the nicer lodges...

http://www.parkrecord.com/todaysheadlines/ci_9016668


Yarrow Hotel

The family that owns The Yarrow wants to demolish the standard-bearer hotel and build a much swankier lodging property at the site, more evidence, observers say, of Park City's move toward the upscale...

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[SLC Projects]

Wow Delts, there is alot of news going on this morning. You must of been busy posting everything.
Anyways I really like those news renderings for Regent Street. Just think these new buildings will bring so much life back into Regent Street while now it just looks like a scary ally. Did you guys also notice all the trees and street lamps along the street. Very cool.
I also like the Salt Lake Arts Center Rendering, but I was kind of hoping for a highrise Office or Condo tower to go on that site. Oh well.

[SLC Projects]

Also if you guys look at both photos I notice that I don't think the city will tear down the old NAC building. If you look at the rendering it looks like those housing units will be built ontop the old building.

[Future Mayor]

I'd like to say that someone stole my concept for Regent St that I presented in a class 8 months ago, but I didn't show it to anyone besides classmates here in Cleveland. While I am disappointed that I won't be able to develop this street, I do like the fact that my line of thinking was legit. Here to me. j/k

Here are my rendering (very crude) that I come up with for the press building 8 months ago. Retail and housing was the concept. I know I've shown these before but I wanted to show them again. I'm starting to sound boastful, oops.

[ski_steve]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Been thinking about the idea of some form of rail transit to Summit County. Makes enormous sense. I tried living in Summit County for a few years, commuting to SLC. Driving that canyon day-in and day-out ain't fun.

Much more important, there is a two-way, simultaneous flow up and down that canyon. Workers. who cannot afford to live in Summit County, who go up the canyon in the morning and return at night; and workers who go to SLC to work and return. This is almost a perfect mass transit scenario because you have ridership both ways during much of the day. Plus, all the traffic from tourists and skiers. It's ideal.

The mode of rail transport probably has to be heavy rail, like the Front-Runner, in order to pull the grades and maintain the speed. But a new heavy rail line from the transportation hub in SLC, non-stop to Synderville, then on to Park City, makes tremendous sense, although it will be enormously expensive.

There is a second alternative, although much longer, which would use Front-Runner north, connect with the UP lines in Weber Canyon, use the UP lines to Echo, then re-install the rail on the existing bed and right-of-way that runs from Echo right into PC. The problem is that this option would be twice as long. However, a high-speed, non-stop link from Weber Canyon to PC might solve a big piece of the problem.

Frontrunner to Park City would be really cool. Probably faster and more efficient than light rail. They would need to plan it now, because the mountain valleys are filling up fast and soon there wont be any room to add heavy rail lines. Light rail would work better once it reached Kimball Junction. Then you could run it down the streets.

Either one would cost alot. I would guess that heavy rail would cost more, because they would need to make the ground much more stable and make wider turns up the canyon.