Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[skierforlife17]

Thanks delts !! Ive been fallowing this forum for a while and felt it was time to maybe contribute a bit! Oh and I also noticed were starting to close in on the other Mountain West city forums in total number of posts and would love to see nothing more than Salt Lake City get up to #1 (i am sure some of you will laugh at me wanting this)!!!!

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Viperlord: I'm learning that your posts are filled with content. Thank you very much for the SLC Broadway Theatre report.

After reading it, one of the proposed locations, the Utah Pantages Theatre site (Blk. 69), should be pushed aside. Too many construction and parking issues (Sorry, Rick Howa. There's got to be a better use for that wonderful old theatre that conversion to a venue capable of holding Broadway productions).

Although I like the integration of the proposed theatre into Blk 70, mainly to add to a wonderful Blk, this site is less than optimal to me as well. I think it would be a mistake to diffuse theatre assets across the CBD.

Therefore, I like either of the Broadway locations. I think the long-term goal should be to create a theatre district. I think either of the Broadway (3rd So) locations offer more potential for synergistic development--restaurants, et cetera. The construction and property acquisition costs also appear lower, although, if I read the report correctly, the Broadway site would NOT qualify for the tax credit, which may ultimately be the deal breaker.

Given the tax credit consideration, my guess is that Blk 70 will be the choice. It will be interesting to see what happens.

Yes, Viperlord seems to have connections. Thanks Viperlord!

There are other theaters around the proposed Broadway theater site on block 70--Capitol and Utah (Pantages)--which together would create a theater district. There are restaurants in the area such as Lamb's Restaurant, Mikado, Bambara, Caffe Molise, Vienna Bistro, and all other restaurants associated with City Creek Center and Temple Square. It seems as though the Rose Wagner was sort of misplaced if the goal was to create a theater district; Since we already had theaters further north. Just because we have a street named Broadway, does not mean that that is where the theater or other theaters aught to be located. I don't have a problem with this, however, it's not a good enough argument or reason to locate the new theater there. I will be happy either way, but I do feel block 70 is the better option.

[delts145]

Utah Theater gets a bad review as an option for a new venue

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10227941

While sentimental types, preservationists and some officials lobby to create the capital's Broadway-class playhouse at Main Street's long-vacant Utah Theater, an expert charged with finding a location sees little left to preserve.

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[delts145]

Land sale could make way for transit-oriented business - SLC's development arm is in negotiations to buy the industrial area near intermodal hub to foster an urban neighborhood


http://www.sltrib.com/slc/ci_10204502


The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City wants to buy the old building on 600 West and 235 South for $6 million. There currently are no plans to develop the property. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune )

An industrial property near the intermodal hub will have a blend of uses fitting with an increasingly transit-oriented character of the neighborhood, if the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City goes through with its plan to buy the land.
Following fast-moving discussions, the RDA agreed July 22 to buy nearly 3 acres of land on the northeast corner of 600 West and 300 South from Salt Lake businessman Alan Cohen and two family trusts.

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[ski_steve]

Becker may dump The Leonardo for something else

By Derek P. Jensen
The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake City may tell The Leonardo arrivederci.

Given the museum's shaky fundraising, missed deadlines and busted budgets, Mayor Ralph Becker is ready to consider something other than a science and cultural center at the former main library.

The freshman mayor also is dismissing The Leonardo's latest proposal to construct the three-level interactive science center in phases for half the $50 million original cost. The first phase would be $16 million.

"We don't want to do something that is going to be a patch effort," Becker said Saturday, adding any blueprint for the old library must be sufficiently "green." "What they delivered does not include the criteria we are interested in."

Within 60 days, the city expects to solicit new proposals for the building - perhaps a badly needed public safety headquarters or something new from The Leonardo...

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10227936?source=rss

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by delts145

Utah Theater gets a bad review as an option for a new venue

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10227941

While sentimental types, preservationists and some officials lobby to create the capital's Broadway-class playhouse at Main Street's long-vacant Utah Theater, an expert charged with finding a location sees little left to preserve.

.

There is definitely enough left to preserve. They might just be saying this in order to possibly demolish the auditorium and replace it with a new one. It can be restored, if the City doesn't want to restore it, then a different location should be chosen.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

There is definitely enough left to preserve. They might just be saying this in order to possibly demolish the auditorium and replace it with a new one. It can be restored, if the City doesn't want to restore it, then a different location should be chosen.

There was talk of using the Utah Theatre for film screening rooms, if it didn't end up being converted to a Broadway theatre. I hope they do something with it and not just let it continue to sit and rot.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Viperlord: I'm learning that your posts are filled with content. Thank you very much for the SLC Broadway Theatre report.

After reading it, one of the proposed locations, the Utah Pantages Theatre site (Blk. 69), should be pushed aside. Too many construction and parking issues (Sorry, Rick Howa. There's got to be a better use for that wonderful old theatre that conversion to a venue capable of holding Broadway productions).

Although I like the integration of the proposed theatre into Blk 70, mainly to add to a wonderful Blk, this site is less than optimal to me as well. I think it would be a mistake to diffuse theatre assets across the CBD.

Therefore, I like either of the Broadway locations. I think the long-term goal should be to create a theatre district. I think either of the Broadway (3rd So) locations offer more potential for synergistic development--restaurants, et cetera. The construction and property acquisition costs also appear lower, although, if I read the report correctly, the Broadway site would NOT qualify for the tax credit, which may ultimately be the deal breaker.

Given the tax credit consideration, my guess is that Blk 70 will be the choice. It will be interesting to see what happens.

These locations are not very far apart. There are already lots of restaurants at either location, also City Creek Center will be directly north of block 70. I don't think the theatre has to be across the street from the Rose Wagner.

With that said, I'm not sure which location I prefer. I really liked the Utah Theatre site (synergy with Capitol Theatre around the corner, possibility of sharing rehearsal space behind the theatres), but if that's not adequate and nothing much left to restore, then I lean slightly towards the other site on Main.

[skierforlife17]

Does anyone have the link to real estate site that is listing the art supply store building (the name of it slipped my mind) that is for sale?

[urbane]

Originally Posted by skierforlife17

Does anyone have the link to real estate site that is listing the art supply store building (the name of it slipped my mind) that is for sale?

I believe it is listed with Internet Properties and it is the old Zims building on State street just above 200 south.

[skierforlife17]

Thanks Urbanboy

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Stenar

These locations are not very far apart. There are already lots of restaurants at either location, also City Creek Center will be directly north of block 70. I don't think the theatre has to be across the street from the Rose Wagner.

With that said, I'm not sure which location I prefer. I really liked the Utah Theatre site (synergy with Capitol Theatre around the corner, possibility of sharing rehearsal space behind the theatres), but if that's not adequate and nothing much left to restore, then I lean slightly towards the other site on Main.

If the City decides to use the Utah Theater site, they would not restore the auditorium, but they would demolish it and build a completely new auditorium, However they would reuse the existing hallway and foyer. I do not like this option because we have seen with our own eyes the nice craftsmanship which still exists in the auditorium based on photos that were posted on this thread. I have also heard from one of the City Staff in the Mayors office, that the Utah is not beyond repair and can be restored. Personally, I would like to see it restored into a film center, and the main Salt Lake City venue for Sundance films.

[delts145]

Agreed Urbanboy, My greatest wish would also be to see a Sundance School of Film created using buildings such as the Tribune. At the very least I want to see the Utah theater restored as a venue.

[Future Mayor]

WOW, I had like 7 days and roughly 1,000 pages to catch up on (ok 1000 might be a bit high) I like the NAC site for the theater but I also like the space across from Rose Wagner. I'm not sure which one I like better, I may be leaning towards the NAC site because there is so much more of an urban feel in that location, and I think Regent Street has HUGE potential to be a great little street/neighborhood.

I really would like to see the Utah/Pantages be converted into a Sundance screening theater with the larger premiers occurring there. Having the larger screenings in downtown SLC would bring even more attention to downtown as an arts center. The combination of the Utah/Pantages and the new theater on the NAC site would really bring some additional life to Main St.

With my two location preferences expressed. I'll be happy on any of the sites, as long as it gets built.

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

WOW, I had like 7 days and roughly 1,000 pages to catch up on (ok 1000 might be a bit high) I like the NAC site for the theater but I also like the space across from Rose Wagner. I'm not sure which one I like better, I may be leaning towards the NAC site because there is so much more of an urban feel in that location, and I think Regent Street has HUGE potential to be a great little street/neighborhood.

I really would like to see the Utah/Pantages be converted into a Sundance screening theater with the larger premiers occurring there. Having the larger screenings in downtown SLC would bring even more attention to downtown as an arts center. The combination of the Utah/Pantages and the new theater on the NAC site would really bring some additional life to Main St.

With my two location preferences expressed. I'll be happy on any of the sites, as long as it gets built.

With CCC on the north, 222 S Main on the south and new theaters on the block in between, Main St. Could slowly start coming back to life.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

With CCC on the north, 222 S Main on the south and new theaters on the block in between, Main St. Could slowly start coming back to life.

That was my thought on the location as well. I really love the idea of using the old NAC site for the theater. It would feed a lot more foot traffic in the area and would really liven the area up. As for the orientation, I haven't really decided which one I prefer over the other.

Wasn't the building recently sold to the commercial arm of the LDS Church (PRI)?

If it was, they might be able to get the building for a nice $1.00 a year lease like the Salt Palace?

That might lower the costs down for construction and make it more reasonable to develop it. I personally think that the LDS Church would love to have the theater near CCC for both the future residence but also for the commercial/retail spill over that will happen in the area.

[Utaaah!]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Nice mock-up, Urban Boy! I like the Main Street/Regent location for its urban setting and potential to generate foot traffic and support retail along Main. I also like the potential for a landmark facade in either of the Broadway locations. What I don't understand it why we should replace the building on the corner of 100 S and Main (red-brick building on left-hand side of picture) with a new office tower. The tower rendering looks nice, but we have plenty of room for infill development in the downtown core without knocking down more attractive old structures (a la The Inn). I know that most of you don't share my love for the building in question, but I think it does have a nice historic look to it and it presently looks much better than it did prior to the E&H Properties/Old Navy renovation last decade. Theater location aside, I say let's keep this building and erect the glass tower a 1/2 block east or west.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by Utaaah!

What I don't understand it why we should replace the building on the corner of 100 S and Main (red-brick building on left-hand side of picture) with a new office tower. The tower rendering looks nice, but we have plenty of room for infill development in the downtown core without knocking down more attractive old structures (a la The Inn). I know that most of you don't share my love for the building in question, but I think it does have a nice historic look to it and it presently looks much better than it did prior to the E&H Properties/Old Navy renovation last decade. Theater location aside, I say let's keep this building and erect the glass tower a 1/2 block east or west.

With this building I agree. There are a number of sites that must be developed prior to this building being demolished, including the surface lot sirectly across the street from this site. I am mixed on the locations on Main. I think the thing that is driving the NAC site is that the City can probably get a better deal from PRI than the owner of the Utah Theater site and or the ownerrs of the parking lots on 300 South.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Utaaah!

Nice mock-up, Urban Boy! I like the Main Street/Regent location for its urban setting and potential to generate foot traffic and support retail along Main. I also like the potential for a landmark facade in either of the Broadway locations. What I don't understand it why we should replace the building on the corner of 100 S and Main (red-brick building on left-hand side of picture) with a new office tower. The tower rendering looks nice, but we have plenty of room for infill development in the downtown core without knocking down more attractive old structures (a la The Inn). I know that most of you don't share my love for the building in question, but I think it does have a nice historic look to it and it presently looks much better than it did prior to the E&H Properties/Old Navy renovation last decade. Theater location aside, I say let's keep this building and erect the glass tower a 1/2 block east or west.

Thanks Utaaaah!, and I did change the location of the tower, see:

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

With CCC on the north, 222 S Main on the south and new theaters on the block in between, Main St. Could slowly start coming back to life.

I think you're right!