Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[NYC Rick]

Originally Posted by wrendog

It's funny, I feel the same way about Biden.

I agree... why do you feel the same way about Biden?

Imagine Palin having to assume the Presidency...seriously.

Now that is a terrifying thought.

I do not even have to defend Biden. I can just direct you to read what he has done in the Senate and to read the minutes from the Congressional record.

At this point in time we need a totally new focus for Congress and the Senate. Economics that defend the United States. Let others step up and become the police of the world.

Our job is to defend the constitution of our own nation.

Rant over!

[wrendog]

Not getting into politics. You are liberal, I am conservative. Palin scares you, Biden scares me. No big deal.

[UTAZLoVer]

Hey does anyone happen to know if/when the new owner of Trolley Square will be announcing new tenants?? There's only about 20 now, and I feel like that's awfully few for them to be spending so much on improvements....there has to be more than just Whole Foods coming on board! Any word?

And oh yeah - OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

[ski_steve]

Utah population to top 6.8 million by 2060, report says


By Brandon Loomis
The Salt Lake Tribune

More than half of Utahns say the state is growing too fast, the Utah Foundation reported in a policy brief Thursday.

They see it in their increasingly slow commutes, their crowded classrooms and the explosion of far-flung bedroom communities such as Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. Soon they may see it in either water shortages or massive projects to keep pace with development's thirst. And policymakers need to take note, foundation President Stephen Kroes said, because Utahns surveyed last winter rated growth their No. 10 priority issue.

By 2060, according to the foundation's policy brief, Utah's population is expected to bolt from 2.6 million to 6.8 million. It's the one reality that has the potential to drive nearly every other issue, Kroes said, from crime to education to water supply.

"If we weren't a growing state," Kroes said, "we wouldn't worry about water."

Traffic was tops among Utahns' growth-related complaints, followed closely by school crowding. Respondents rated those two plus crime and water supply a 4 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5, where 5 means they are "very concerned" about the issue.

Dan Jones and Associates conducted the statewide priorities survey of more than 600 Utahns in January. Since then, the foundation has released several reports targeted at informing voters and officials about top issues.
The highest priority among Utahns in the survey was energy, including gasoline prices.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10679938?source=rss

[TANGELD_SLC]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

I wouldn't be so sure delts. Urban centers tend to vote democrat. My theory to explain this is: urban centers are dense and are designed to maximize on human interactions, therefore people interact more with each other. When people get to know one another, there is less prejudice and less bigotry. Since Democrats are more progressive on social issues than Republicans, people who live in urban centers and interact with people who are different from them on a daily basis tend to agree more with democrats on social issues. People on this forum are interested in urban centers, therefore I would guess the majority on here would favor an Obama/Biden ticket.

I'm Libertarian in my political views, I'm registered as a Republican, and over half of the time I vote Democrat. However, I oppose socialism as a government form, so I'm voting for McCain cuz whenever I hear Obama's stances on so many issues, I fear America becoming socialist under a President Obama, so, God forbid. Or the flying Spaghetti Monster



NOW off of politics and onto SL,UT.... I think we'll hit the 10-million mark by 2060. That's 52 years away, and every time they do these surveys and projections the numbers get higher and in a shorter time frame. I'm hoping by then we also have a wall of skyscrapers linking downtown SLC with the IHC in Murray, the Perineum in Sandy, and The Point in Lehi.

[RFPCME]

Viperlord, I don't envy your job trying of to moderate us hooligans. But thank you for stepping up.

This late in a normal Presidential election year, it's hard not to be sick of the whole process and wish that it were all over. But this year is anything but normal, especially after the stock market just tanked nearly another 700 points today.

In any year, it's hard to separate politics and development, about as difficult as separating financing and development. The two go hand in hand. And now that it is almost certain the Federal government is going to buy up stakes in large banks to calm the markets, politics and development will be forever be inextricably tied with the money knot.

So what does all this mean? I'm going to make a few guesses.

Guess 1: The Obama/Biden ticket will win and win big, pulling along vast Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress. Given the economy, this is pretty much a no-brainer.

Guess 2: Financial markets have changed permanently. There is no going back to what they were, even 60 or 90 days ago. This is pretty much a no-brainer too.

Guess 3: Financial markets for the foreseeable future will be HEAVILY regulated, making development on any scale much more difficult. I don't think money will dry up. It will just take more work to get it. Regional banks, like Zions, will disappear, unable to compete with Federally-backed national banks. Credit Unions will become much more important as they fill the void but will lose their tax-free status under Federal tax code.

Guess 4: Public works projects--highways, bridges, power transmission lines, even airports, will come to fruition faster than commercial projects, which bodes well for SLC Int.

Guess 5: Energy development will start to receive public funds, especially nuclear. The people in Moab will start prospecting for uranium again. Wind farms will sprout in southwestern Utah, looking like a propeller-head convention with oddly cocked caps. Oil exploration will continue a steady climb in Utah, and Chevron will announce a major expansion of its No. SLC refinery.

Final Guess: The Utah economic bubble will burst (although I think it may have burst already, but we just haven't seen the majority of the symptoms yet). But Utah will recover much faster than the rest of the country and the world, for a variety of reasons, much of them having to do with local investment and abundant energy resources.

If my projections are somewhat correct, how do I feel about the changes?

Mixed. Some are good, long overdue. Some will make me cringe, forcing me out of my comfort zone. But things will be different...no question about it. People who are adaptable will do well. People who have trouble with change will wither...just the way it is. Personally, I'm not sure if I am adaptable or rigid.

And Sandy City will be Sandy City, the poor, sandy-haired stepchild.

[SLC Projects]

And I thought this would be the one place I could get away from the political discussions. LOL. I guess not.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

NOW off of politics and onto SL,UT.... I think we'll hit the 10-million mark by 2060. That's 52 years away, and every time they do these surveys and projections the numbers get higher and in a shorter time frame. I'm hoping by then we also have a wall of skyscrapers linking downtown SLC with the IHC in Murray, the Perineum in Sandy, and The Point in Lehi.

That would be cool. I'm sure it might come to that if there's going to be 10 million people living here.
Maybe by then there will be more highrise in Murray other then the IHC Tower.

[WASDEN]

Hey yall I've been trapped in Vegas (torture I know) without much internet connection- but I'm glad to see everyone is feeling just as spirited as always. Also nice to see so many patriots regarding the upcoming election- I'll see you at the polls!

Viperlord congratulations on your moderator promotion! I wish you luck in the policing of our jovial thead

[delts145]

Does anyone think that the crash in the markets has something to do with the constant problem with the forum asscessibility lately???? I mean, there must be a boat load of additional people on the www freaking out over the markets lately. Yesterday, my comcast page was even unavailable for a little while.

Speaking of Vegas Wasden, this meltdown has got to be having a serious impact on construction in that town. I mean, it was already bad enough? What scuttlebutt are you hearing? Are there any Hotel construction sites that are going to sit in limbo for a while?

[delts145]

"Domo Arigatou Gozaimasu" - Salt Lake City Direct to Tokyo!! - It worked with Paris. Maybe it will work with Tokyo

...Delta said the new route would potentially create at least 1,100 jobs in Utah's economy.


http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700265368,00.html


wired.com

Friday, October 10, 2008 — Last update: 1:21 a.m.

It worked with Paris. Maybe it will work with Tokyo.

That was the thinking of a state board that committed money Thursday to help get Delta Air Lines to start direct flights between Salt Lake City International Airport and Tokyo in mid-2009.

The Governor's Office of Economic Development committed $250,000 in Industrial Assistance Fund money, which will be part of a pool of $2 million in cash and marketing help from GOED...

The idea is to help promote the flights, making it economically attractive for Delta to start that service.

"This is incredibly important to the business community," said Jerry Oldroyd, chairman of the board's incentives committee. He said Tokyo flights could open up Korean, Chinese and other Asian markets for Utah businesses, as well as opportunities for businesses there to expand into Utah.

The state money would be paid after the first flight. Salt Lake is Delta's second-largest U.S. hub, with 373 flights daily to 114 destinations. GOED board documents indicate that Delta has estimated that the new service could have an overall economic impact of $90 million for Utah and could lead to the creation of 1,100 local jobs.

Delta Air Lines is beginning to look past its successful Salt Lake City-to-Paris route and is looking toward a second international destination, possibly Tokyo.

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_10684673

- Delta spokesman Anthony Black said the Paris route launched last June has been a hit with travelers. Because the route proved itself, the Atlanta-based carrier now is "interested in exploring additional international opportunities," he said.

- ... Perry said passengers are snapping up seats on the daily flights between Salt Lake and Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris.

- ...I would expect an announcement of their intent to start this flight in the very near future, with the flight to actually begin some time next year," he said.

- GOED's readiness to help Delta comes as the Atlanta-based carrier is about to consummate its proposed merger with Northwest Airlines. The combination would create the world's biggest carrier and give Delta a toehold at Tokyo's Narita International Airport, where Northwest has a hub.


... "This Tokyo flight shows the [Delta-Northwest] merger will be a good thing for the state of Utah, and that Salt Lake City is an important hub to Delta."... Executive Director - GOED, Jason Perry

.

[skyguy414]

Delts, you beat me by 2 minutes when I posted the Trib's article on the transit thread.

You win.

But this is great news and another sure sign Delta is committed to SLC and intends to grow here.

[delts145]

^^^ I wasn't sure at first where to post it, on the transit or SLC. I thought... Ah, this is so good for SLC and the metro on every front, I'd put it here. This is such great news for SLC, SLC Metro and SLC Transit!! Oh, and Skyguy, did you see the airport related good news over on the Provo thread?

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Guess 4: Public works projects--highways, bridges, power transmission lines, even airports, will come to fruition faster than commercial projects, which bodes well for SLC Int...

I say, bring on that airport expansion, and give the local forumers another great future project!!

[cololi]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Regional banks, like Zions, will disappear, unable to compete with Federally-backed national banks. Credit Unions will become much more important as they fill the void but will lose their tax-free status under Federal tax code.

I disagree on the regional bank, particularly Zions. Zions is an incredibly stable bank, their stock is up over the last few months (from a low of 13 up to 53 last week; luckily I bought at 13!) and they have huge real estate holdings and one very large, wealthy customer with a ton of cash: the LDS church. They are one of the largest economic developers in the region.

[delts145]

I was thinking the same thing RFPCME, All reports indicate that Zions is one of the most stable financial institution in the Nation. Infact Cololi, didn't Zions just make a major purchase of Silver State of Nevada?

RFPCME and Cololi, Given the Delta/Northwest merger and new direct connections, I would be extremely interested in hearing a few of your pronostications for SLC Int. and some of the effects it will generate for SLC proper and the metro.

[Makid]

I feel that if Delta does decide to put a direct flight to Tokyo from SLC in operation in the next year, we will hear of an immediate runway expansion and then the terminal expansions shortly there after.

[NYC Rick]

Originally Posted by wrendog

Not getting into politics. You are liberal, I am conservative. Palin scares you, Biden scares me. No big deal.

To each his or her own!

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

NOW off of politics and onto SL,UT.... I think we'll hit the 10-million mark by 2060. That's 52 years away, and every time they do these surveys and projections the numbers get higher and in a shorter time frame. I'm hoping by then we also have a wall of skyscrapers linking downtown SLC with the IHC in Murray, the Perineum in Sandy, and The Point in Lehi.

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

That would be cool. I'm sure it might come to that if there's going to be 10 million people living here.
Maybe by then there will be more highrise in Murray other then the IHC Tower.

I hope that SLC ends up with a very limited but dense area of skyscrapers in the CBD and NO highrises and few office complexes outside the CBD.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I hope that SLC ends up with a very limited but dense area of skyscrapers in the CBD and NO highrises and few office complexes outside the CBD.

Yea, yea, yea, everything has to be downtown. Even the tall buildings. We don't live in a world where EVERYONE wants to live or commute downtown.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by delts145

RFPCME and Cololi, Given the Delta/Northwest merger and new direct connections, I would be extremely interested in hearing a few of your pronostications for SLC Int. and some of the effects it will generate for SLC proper and the metro.

I think the impact depends mostly on the cost of fuel for the airlines. The airline industry is such a huge cog in the national and world economy of all of the economically powerful countries, that there is no way it will go away or change so much that only the elite can fly. The link to Asia, in my mind, is more economically beneficial to the state then the link to Europe. it sounds crazy to say given the current climate, but travel between Asia and the US is going to increase fairly rapidly as Aisan countries begin to do more business with the US, but even more importantly as US companies start to do outsource more work to China, Phillipines (sp?), etc. I don't know if people are aware of this, but right now one of the major things that is outsourced to the phillipines is drafting work. I know of a number of local architectural firms and many more national firms that outsource virtually all of their drafting work. The outsourcing is an overall negative to the country, but with more connections between SLC and Aisa, the better it is for us.

as far as airport expansion, I think we will have to see a 30-40% increase in passengers for the airport to see a major expansion, including the new runway to the northwest. I don't see this happening for at least 10 years. I think the biggest noticeable development will be an increase in hospitality uses along North Temple once light rail line is up and running and eventually Asian based companies locating in SLC for the ease of travelling.

responding to building heights: I also thing that there is place for buildings over 150 feet, and they are pretty much in key nodes along the I-15 corridor.