Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by leerjet

No offense, but I would hope that the city council doesn't have to be told that a surface lot is not ideal for this location. If they need to be written a letter, I think it's safe to say that all is lost. Now if a developer proposes a better option... now that's something worth presenting to them.

I think it would be optimal for the owner to work out a deal and propose a better development there, but I can think of a lot of reasons why a developer wouldn't want to propose a project right now (the biggest one being financing).

Let's just hope that they look at all options carefully before they approve a surface lot.

you would think/hope that they would realize a surface parking lot is a bad move, BUT history has shown us that this is not the case. Therefore as a citizen opposed to the surface parking lot I need to voice my opinion. You can't always expect people to think logically in government. Especially when history has shown they haven't. ... If you don't oppose something that you have knowledge of, then you are consenting by default and really can't complain about how things take shape.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

you would think/hope that they would realize a surface parking lot is a bad move, BUT history has shown us that this is not the case. Therefore as a citizen opposed to the surface parking lot I need to voice my opinion. You can't always expect people to think logically in government. Especially when history has shown they haven't. ... If you don't oppose something that you have knowledge of, then you are consenting by default and really can't complain about how things take shape.

Well I guess its angry letter time. . .

[delts145]

This type of thing is always great entertainment in the spy movies, but you just don't figure it happens in real life

Downtown Elevator Drops 9 floors

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700248534,00.html

...Two construction workers were in an elevator in the Boston Building, 375 S. Main, about 12:15 p.m., taking supplies to the top floor. One of the men, who did not want to be identified, told the Deseret News that some large metal rods were sticking out the escape hatch at the top of the elevator.

When the elevator neared the ninth floor, he believes the rods hit the roof, knocking the elevator off track, he said. The rod snapped back without warning, striking the second man in the jaw and briefly knocking him out, the first worker said. He believes the blow may have broken the man's jaw.

The elevator dropped for what felt like a couple of floors in a free fall before safety devices slowed the descent, the man said. It then took a second long drop before safety latches again broke the fall and the elevator came to a rest on the second floor.

.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

Well I guess its angry letter time. . .

This may be the wrong initial approach. Remember this is just a proposal that City Council hasn't even considered yet. Maybe a less angry more resonable letter is the way to go, initially.

You can't always judge things by the past. Mayors change as do council members, if council has made mistakes in the past and they are still in after a voting cycle then it is our fault as citizens because we voted them in

I said it yesterday but I will mention it again. I think if the city has the property on the SW corner of W Temple and 300 S that they intend to exchange, they should build there and not worry about the switch. It would get the theater built, would eliminate a surface lot and would allow for a new surface lot and structure to be built.

While I am not a fan of the new surface lot and a garage, this is one of the reason why cbd development is so difficult. Property owners, the city, developers and us citizens all have our own agenda and opinions.

Jmonkey brings up a good point. Do we want the theater, do we feel that it would enhance our downtown? Will a new theater not be a bigger benefit to the city than a surface lot and the potential of a garage? Would we rather not have a surface parking lot and lose the theater to Sandy? I know I wouldn't.

A side note regarding surface lots, yes they are more tax beneficial to the owner than a vacant building, but it comes down to simple economic terms. Market demand dictates surface lots, when a land owner can transform a surface lot into something more finacially lucrative it will happen. The Zephyr location has already been vacant for 5 years, obviously the demand isn't there yet to develop it into something else. We have to ask ourselves, would we rather have an abandoned building that continues to decay for another 5 years or would it be more beneficial to have a surface lot there for those 5 years?

I am in no way saying I want the new surface lot but sometimes we have to give and take.

[delts145]

Very good points, both Jmonkey and Future Mayor. I have no question that Mayor Becker will weigh all options very seriously, and do what is necessary to get this theatre built.

I hate surface parking lots, especially in a downtown location. However, I'm going to also remember that this Mayor is a responsible urban planner, and he will have much more of a full picture in his hands than any of us. I'm definately not going to be too hasty to pass judgement on the Mayor's final decision regarding the theatre project.

[NYC Rick]

Originally Posted by delts145

My biggest problem with the Kirtland is the type of exterior materials used in several areas such as the gray portion, and also the bare concrete. The cornice is particularly awkward in it's design, as well the poor choice of finish material on the cornice surface. That upper left corner could have been much more attractive as an angular pop-out, similar to some of the features of the Metro. A big improvement could be made on this project with a little good taste in choice of materials in several different places on the building, and the cornice design and cornice material.

edit: looking at the pictured elevation a little more, I can't help but think how much more attractive it would be if the angular feature and attractive windows of the element immediately to the right of the concrete were to be repeated at the upper left corner pop-out. Also, perhaps the far right corner and windows given the same treatment, but not repeating the color scheme or material, but using a brushed steel instead, as with the Metro.


.

They remind me of the kind of apartment complexes in cities like Koln, Berlin and Stockholm.

The difference is the materials and blending relevance of materials and colors.

The Kirkland suffers from cheapness. I am sure that the materials used internally are first rate and if whomever said that some of the apartments will go up to $650,000 then I bet they will be NICE. (I know $650,000 is a lot of money for an apt in Salt Lake City but it appears as a great bargin from where I live.)

It is funny, there are a number of apartment complexes going up in Brooklyn like this. Most are 10-12 stories but the materials are just at another level. Glass and polished aluminum blended with much more subtle colors. The same angular construction but quite impressive to look at.

My theory is if you are going to build something then give the architect creative lea way with design. I will bet the architectural drawings look impressive. I will also bet that somewhere along the way, the architect was beaten into the ground with demands to make it cheaper.

Also, what is up with those balconies on the right side? I hope they are Fire escapes because they look really out of place and really cheap. they do not have any relevance at all.

Pretty sad.

[T-Mac]

In case your interested, here is one of the Kirtland Condos for sale. It has come down in price a bit.

http://www.utahrealestate.com/748041

[NYC Rick]

Originally Posted by T-Mac

In case your interested, here is one of the Kirtland Condos for sale. It has come down in price a bit.

http://www.utahrealestate.com/748041

That is the blandest most boring feature amenities I have ever read outside of a newspaper.

Seriously...bad.

By the way, the image looks better than the real thing but still..........

Talk about boring...they should have put up the number of walls, windows and doors to spice it up!

Not good!

[urbanboy]

I think it would have looked better had they stayed with the green color instead of the blue for the stucco.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

[QUOTE=
Maybe a less angry more resonable letter is the way to go, initially.



.[/QUOTE]

I was exagerating

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

I was exagerating

Sorry, still trying to get a feel for your personality!

[urbanboy]

FILM
By Tawnya Cazier
In college, we used to set up a projector and play movies on strung up white sheets. Even the most familiar movies took on a new feeling, like we’d never seen them before. Huddled under blankets, heads propped on pillows, we watched as images flashed across our makeshift screen, the film’s soundtrack floating out and away into the night.

The same experience can be had this summer at two outdoor film festivals. The mayor’s office and Salt Lake Film Center are sponsoring the PIONEER PARK PICTURE SHOW. Every Friday night during August, the film center will screen various international films at Pioneer Park. This week, look for Spirited Away (pictured), directed by the celebrated Hayao Miyazaki. When a little girl descends into another world, she must battle monsters to save her family...

http://www.slweekly.com/index.cfm?do=article.details&id=98B0A7E8-14D1-13A2-9F9739804082BEE3

I recently saw this film and thought is was very creative. I highly recommend it. Hayao Miyazaki is Japan's equivalent of Disney, although, Hayao's films appeal to a wider age demographic, and usually have deep meaning. Anyway, thought you all might like to see it!

P.S. Bring your cameras and take as many pictures of Downtown as you like!

[UTAZLoVer]

Originally Posted by wrendog

the courthouse.. is that for sure? is there any idea on groundbreaking for that?

Utah BLOWS

note: sorry guys I made the mistake of staying logged in on my friend's computer. great friend i suppose.

[urbanboy]

Huh?

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by UTAZLoVer

Utah BLOWS

LOL.. Thanks, I guess.

[leerjet]

Originally Posted by UTAZLoVer

Utah BLOWS

I hope that was a typo.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Urbanboy:

Nice job on the theatre "skitches." I like the placement next to Squatters better.

I like the location next to Rose Wagner better. Urbanboy's layout gives it an entrance from both Broadway and Pierpont and retail fronting West Temple. VERY NICE.

Next to the Rose Wagner also means they can share facilities more easily with the Wagner complex.

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I like the location next to Rose Wagner better. Urbanboy's layout gives it an entrance from both Broadway and Pierpont and retail fronting West Temple. VERY NICE.

Next to the Rose Wagner also means they can share facilities more easily with the Wagner complex.

Stenar: Good point. There might be some synergy having the two next to each other. Still perplexed over the parking lot. The fact that the Newhouse Hotel came down in the early 70's, leaving one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the City, between Main and West Temple and 4th and 5th So, an urban prairie (although the perimeter in now landscaped), still haunts me...

[Viperlord]

750 south state street.
drove past the credit union this afternoon. Construction is moving along.the building skeleton is shaping up quite nicely.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Stenar: Good point. There might be some synergy having the two next to each other. Still perplexed over the parking lot. The fact that the Newhouse Hotel came down in the early 70's, leaving one of the most valuable pieces of real estate in the City, between Main and West Temple and 4th and 5th So, an urban prairie (although the perimeter in now landscaped), still haunts me...

Actually, it came down during my birth-month (June 1983, Same month/year as the flood) I was living at that time, just couldn't do anything about it (like when I was circumcised).