Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[SLC Projects]

It hurts driving down Highland Drive now a days. Driving by the empty field where the old Cottonwood Mall once stood and then later on there's the empty lot in Sugarhouse.
Maybe one day these project will get going again. :{

[delts145]

Of course the project will get going again. They havent even finished with the extensive table buildup yet. This recession has to run it's course and begin to emerge into an up cyle. Even now,the demand for growth of Metro Salt Lake is still there, compared to most of the rest of the country. Projects like Sugar House and Cottonwood Mall will proceed again as soon as the economy stabilizes. Las Vegas and Phoenix aren't growing at the same phenominal rate either, and dozens of major projects have been stopped in the middle of construction. In the case of Las Vegas, it's as if they have a thousand Midtown type projects sitting empty. Most of those projects would dwarf Midtown. Yet, Vegas will once again get it's gears grinding, as will other areas like Florida and California, which are in a far worse state than we are. Metro Salt Lake's economic health is still in the top tier comparitively speaking, and is poised to jump out of the gate more quickly this time than in previous recessions.

[UTPlanner]

Our current economic situation will certainly take some patience, especially for those forumers who love to see new development taking off in the metro area. I am currently trying to slash my departmental budget 10% for now and be prepared to slash another 10% before July1. It's because of a huge drop in sales tax revenue in the community where I work. That is probably going to mean that somebody is going to have to be fired.

It is going to be lean times for a while though the best thing you can do for the economy is to continue spending money when and where you can.

I also have to throw something in quickly about being a city planner. I actually get to spend about 25% of my time doing actual planning. For example, today I am doing research on cats and other household pets and how to create a new ordinance that limits the number allowed. So for all of you planning students...get ready for some wild and crazy times! (I would insert a smiling emoticon to express my sarcasm...but honestly I hate them.)

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

What are Senators Hatch and Bennett's emails? We should all write them a letter!

I'm not sure we could make a difference but it would at least be worth a shot.

Senator Hatch
I couldn't find an actual e-mail but this is a link to the page on his website that you can send a message on.
http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

Or you can write a letter.
Washington DC Office
104 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-5251
Fax: (202) 224-6331

Salt Lake City Office
8402 Federal Building
125 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Tel: (801) 524-4380
Fax: (801) 524-4379

Bob Bennett
http://www.senate.gov/~bennett/contact/emailmain.html

DC Office
431 Dirksen Building
Washington, DC 20510-4403
Phone: (202) 224-5444
Fax: (202) 228-1168

SLC Office
Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building
125 South State Street, Suite 4225
Salt Lake City, UT 84138-1188
Phone: (801) 524-5933
Fax: (801) 524-5730

[SLC Projects]

I think it would be a losing battle. You can't fight the feds. Sorry to say.

[delts145]

WaMu layoffs skip Utah

http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/290486/18/

...in Utah, virtually all 300-plus WaMu workers will continue to be employed by Chase as they continue to serve customers through WaMu's transition to the Chase brand in 2009...

...There are a total of 33 Washington Mutual branches in Utah...


Note: I don't want to start a landslide of conspiracy theory posts here, but Chase Manhattan (Visa-Vie the Rockefeller Clan) has always fascinated me. Cleon Skousen, John Birch, The Naked Capitalist, new World Order all set aside, I'm interested in the major amount of investment and focus that Chase is now putting toward the Wasatch Front development from an international perspective. My gut tells me that Chase is going to play a huge roll in bringing the Wasatch Front toward the top tier of the new future capitals of this century.

You have to admit, that Chase's obvious teflon coating during this current economic meltdown is interesting. From a development perspective perhaps, it's a real good thing to have them as a fan, rather than a foe.

[Future Mayor]

That's a real defeatist attitude projects. Yes I know it's nearly impossible to fight the feds but at least we will be able to say that we attempted to do something about it and then when nothing happens we can get those two out of office, especially that crocked Bennett Bastard. We'll be able to say, look you don't deserve to be in office anymore because you wouldn't fight for what was best for the capital city of the state you represent.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

That's a real defeatist attitude projects. Yes I know it's nearly impossible to fight the feds but at least we will be able to say that we attempted to do something about it

Sorry I wasn't trying to sound like I have a bad attitude. Sure it doesn't hurt to try to send out e-mails. But I think it's already a done deal. I'm going to miss the Port O Call building too. It's going to be a big lost for SLC.
I just hope that they plan to move somewhere within downtown. I think a good place would be somewhere on Main Street.

Originally Posted by delts145

...in Utah, virtually all 300-plus WaMu workers will continue to be employed by Chase as they continue to serve customers through WaMu's transition to the Chase brand in 2009...

...There are a total of 33 Washington Mutual branches in Utah...

That's good news. There has been so many layoffs lately it's kind of scary. My wife works at a real estate company and as you might guess it's been really slow these past few months. The company ended up doing a 2rd round a layoffs the other day. 12 people lost their jobs. ( The first round was back in March when about 30 people lost their jobs. ) Lately for us my wife wasn't one of them. But it's still sad to see all these people losing their jobs.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

There has been so many layoffs lately it's kind of scary.

I think Utah is about to get hit really hard by the economy. We are usually 6-12 months behind the rest of the nations economy and there are some strong indicators that our economy is grinding to a halt. Job growth is virtually zero and will likely decline this quarter. the number of building permits is way down in all sectors, residential, commercial, and industrial. One of the really unspoken realities is gas prices. I know everyone likes low gas prices, but the demand in the US is down primarily due to a decline in commerce. Less goods being produced, less good being shipped, less goods being consumed. The decrease in demand has produced a rapid decrease in price at the pump. Prices have fallen much faster then they went up. To me this is the truest gauge of the economy.

[Comrade]

Thankfully HP went ahead with their tower when they did, because had they waited a year, it might've not happened for another few years.

[SLC Projects]

Also it looks like something is going on at 222 South Main. Looking at the webcam it looks like there is a group of people starting in front of the building with a few more people on the 4th floor. Maybe it's a press conference?
Not sure, but check out the live cam.
http://www.homeviewtech.com/hamilton/protected.html

[cololi]

I was just there and the usual local media suspects were all on the constuction side of the walkway, so it must be some sort of press conference. Hopefully some good news about occupancy, but given all of the other news cameras I saw around CCC, the Planetarium and 222, I think it might be some sort of general "we are doing good" kind of news conference.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Thankfully HP went ahead with their tower when they did, because had they waited a year, it might've not happened for another few years.

HP and CCC, Thankfully we have quite a bit to entertain us while the economy is in this mess. Hopefully, the national and world situation will have picked up by the time these current projects are coming to a close.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Also it looks like something is going on at 222 South Main. Looking at the webcam it looks like there is a group of people starting in front of the building with a few more people on the 4th floor. Maybe it's a press conference?
Not sure, but check out the live cam.
http://www.homeviewtech.com/hamilton/protected.html

Hmmm.... That's a pretty good sized group milling around. Wonder what for...it will be interesting to find out.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

As a sidenote FutureMayor I won't judge you based on your assumed heterosexuality. (That was an attempt at a joke.)

That is very considerate of you. and yes I did understand that it was an attempt at a joke and I did laugh.

[UTPlanner]

My buddy at EDCU was saying that they were planning on topping off the building this week. Probably a conference about that.

[T-Stan]

It was definitely the "Topping Off" Ceremony. I heard it mentioned today on KSL when they do the Chamber of Commerce update at 12:55.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by cololi

I think Utah is about to get hit really hard by the economy. We are usually 6-12 months behind the rest of the nations economy and there are some strong indicators that our economy is grinding to a halt. Job growth is virtually zero and will likely decline this quarter. the number of building permits is way down in all sectors, residential, commercial, and industrial. One of the really unspoken realities is gas prices. I know everyone likes low gas prices, but the demand in the US is down primarily due to a decline in commerce. Less goods being produced, less good being shipped, less goods being consumed. The decrease in demand has produced a rapid decrease in price at the pump. Prices have fallen much faster then they went up. To me this is the truest gauge of the economy.

Hopefully, the States 1st in line readiness for Transportation Development Funds from the Obama Administration will help to soften future layoffs. The State is aiming very high on these development funds, sooo high that I'm thinking that even about half the funds would be great news.

Utah, has 11 billion in transpotation projects that are vetted and ready for start-up. The Obama emphasis is geared toward getting as quick a jolt as possible on jumpstarting the economy, through infrastructure projects. Utah's readiness is unusual. Most States are months to years away from completing a large portion of their needed planning and approvals.

This is another area where the behind-the-scenes alliance of Hatch and Reid could play a huge roll for the local economy.
.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by delts145

Hopefully, the States 1st in line readiness for Transportation Development Funds from the Obama Administration will help to soften future layoffs. The State is aiming very high on these development funds, sooo high that I'm thinking that even about half the funds would be great news.

Utah, has 11 billion in transpotation projects that are vetted and ready for start-up. The Obama emphasis is geared toward getting as quick a jolt as possible on jumpstarting the economy, through infrastructure projects. Utah's readiness is unusual. Most States are months to years away from completing a large portion of their needed planning and approvals.

This is another area where the behind-the-scenes alliance of Hatch and Reid could play a huge roll for the local economy.
.

I think the Obama plan is interesting, but in reality, I don't see much coming Utah's way. The projects submitted under the obama plan have to be ready for constuction and be completed within 1 year. I think the 1 year completion is irrevelant, but I think the funds will be going to those areas that have experienced the full brunt of the recession, particularly job loss. Not only are the states submitting projects, but City's are as well. I don't see Utah, as a whole, getting more than 1 billion. I think a good chunk of that will go to projects that are in progress but will exceed the project budget. The UTA projects are the most short funded at this point, primarily due to the decrease in sales tax generated. This could put off the opening of any of these projects until 2015. The problem is, these jobs already exist and the number one criteria for Obama is that the projects need to create jobs. Not long term jobs, but primarily construction related jobs.

Plus, there is the whole political issue: we still are one of the reddest states out there. The dems in congress, particularly in those states that turned blue for Obama, will put a lot of pressure on the administration to get these projects done. Plus, congress and the senate will be putting the list of projects together and make a proposal to Obama. Don't expect the Utah delegation to have too many allies.

[SLC Projects]

World Trade Center Utah Earns Certification
Less than 20 in U.S. have earned distinct honor

SALT LAKE CITY- (November 24, 2008) World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah), a strategic partner of the Salt Lake Chamber, has earned the official certification of the World Trade Centers Association, headquartered in New York City. WTC Utah President and CEO, Lew Cramer, officially received the honor earlier at the worldwide conference held in Dubai.

“We’re very excited about the certification,” said Cramer. “With our strategic partners like the Salt Lake Chamber and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, World Trade Center Utah has been validated as a leader among world trade centers throughout the world in providing services for Utah businesses to compete abroad.”

The certification verifies that WTC Utah has met worldwide standards in key areas essential to international trade success. There are several aspects of operation in which world trade centers can specialize to achieve certification. WTC Utah received accreditation in Trade Information, Trade Education, Business Services and Technology.

WTC Utah becomes the 19th of 60 world trade centers in the United States and only the 99th worldwide out of 342. The organization has done in just two years what many world trade centers with longer histories have yet to accomplish and the goals for continued growth are aggressive.

“We want to make more Utah companies aware of their opportunities internationally,” said Cramer. “Local businesses don’t have to limit themselves. There is literally a whole world of possibility and it’s our mission to make sure they know how achievable success outside of the traditional market is with our help.”

As part of the certification process, Robert J. Frueh, chair of the Committee on WTC Standards and Quality, visited Salt Lake City and conduced an exhaustive investigation into services and resources provided by WTC Utah. He then made the recommendation for certification.

“There are so many international opportunities for local businesses,” said Lane Beattie, President and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber. “Over the last four years we’ve seen our exports grow 244 percent and I believe more and more businesses will be anxious to jump into the world market.”



About World Trade Center Utah
World Trade Center Utah is a public/private partnership that guides Utah companies into profitable global markets. World Trade Center Utah assesses readiness to enter international markets, educates organizations about the process and connects business with key resources to succeed.

About the Chamber
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s Business Leader. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber has been standing as the voice of business, supporting its members’ success and championing community prosperity for over 100 years. The Chamber represents over 4,200 businesses statewide and one in every three jobs in the Utah economy. Chamber affiliate organizations include the Downtown Alliance and World Trade Center Utah.

Story from the SaltlakeChamber website.

Still no word on if or when salt lake city will get a World Trade Center Office Tower.