Urbanboy, I agree with you along with most forumers, that Arrowpress Square should not be destroyed in order to accomodate the convention hotel. If anything, Arrow Press should receive a major shot in the arm with some creative upgrades, that will rienforce it's history and continued viability.
I like the idea of placing the hotel on the northwest corner of 2nd and W.Temple. However, I'm not going to argue with Cololi's comments, and infact have always been a big proponent of an ample supply of parks and plaza's placed throughout downtown.
Yesterday, I was downtown for a couple of hours and decided to take a little tour of several areas of the CBD. One area specifically was the 2nd South corridor. I couldn't help but notice the block of 2nd So., between 2nd and 3rd West. Now, between 3rd and 4th has become very attractive on both sides of the street, with the restoration of the many historical structures now virtually completed. However, that block between 2nd and 3rd, just to the south, across from the palace is still virtually untouched. There were I think two very small historic structures on the south side, that were about to litterally fall down at any moment, Infact, I would not be suprised if they are slated for demoliton in the near future, "it would be nice if they could be dissassembled and rebuilt at another location, as they are quite small and would not pose to overwhelming of a task." Anyway, the point is that the entire face of the 2nd So. block, fronting 2nd and 3rd W. is a prime location for redevelopment. Perhaps, that would be a possibility
If the hotel were to be located on the same property as the convention center itself, I noticed that there are additional plots, which would seem to be suitable and would be doing the street presence a big favor at the same time. We've discussed these at length in the past when talking about a 'Japan Town.'
There were an incredible amount of positives that I noticed yesterday, as I wove my car around the different streets. I would have liked to have walked, since the day was so beautiful, and apparantly many were out walking, as the foot traffic was very noticeable everywhere throughout the CBD. Unfortunately, I had little time, and wanted to cover allot of locations. This brings up an interesting point, which many of you have also mentioned lately. "Forget the old notion that downtown Salt Lake is small and compact."
I was amazed at the change in density and the number of the many ongoing and recently completed projects, which have come to fruition over the past ten years. Since I spend allot of time in downtown L.A, and So. Cal., and especially lately I haven't had the chance to spend too much time in downtown SLC. When I was in Downtown SLC yesterday, I couldn't help but notice the many changes in the same way that the Wasatch Mtn. backdrop astounds me each time that it is reintroduced after an absence.
First, I did walk along 300 East for a bit, and among the many changes and surprising amount of foot traffic, I could not help but notice the Public Safety Building. We have discussed this at length in the past, so I paid particular attention to the look of the building. As has been stated by many, that seemingly dated structure has incredible potential as 'uber chic' residential. Also, the new business class Hyatt at Gateway has allot of positives. I approaced it from the west on No. Temple, and then also circled it a couple of times. It's size at that specific location felt very appropriate and actually quite attractive. It seemed an excellent and proportionate fit. Now of course, it needs to be finished in as creative a fashion as the rendering suggested it would be. The entire Downtown and especially the Gateway District area was bustleing with seeming local resident and business pedestrian traffic, and also gawking conventioneers, with their obvious name tags. TRAX trains were apparant everywhere and at frequent intervals. The many TRAX trains seemed to completely delight the tourists as they were smiling and pointing as TRAX would round an intersection or pass them by. I was struck also by the new LDS library and the beauty of it's stone and southwest corner presentation. It reminded me more of an elegant concert hall than a simple, utilitarian records library.
Something else I noticed was that every surface parking lot downtown was overflowing. From Holding's on the south to the LDS Church lots on the north, and all the little lots in between were jammed. Now, maybe some of this was due to CCC construction, but I can't help but think that at least during the day the CBD's busy factor is bursting at the seams. My best wishes go out to the planners and the apparant need for more underground and stacked parking as the CBD continues it's break-neck redevelopment. Even with the ongoing build-up of mass transit, I had the distinct impression that Downtown is only getting to be more and more of a metro destination w/accompanying autos, as well as a major tourist attraction for the world. When the CCC is completed, SLC is going to have a major human and auto traffic jam on it's hands. Hey, here's to vibrancy!
I could go on and on, but the simple fact was that downtown was a virtual feast of eye grabbing interest. You couldn't help but notice it in the faces of the many convention goers, as they pointed and tried to take in the sights of what might seem the norm to the locals. Attractive, restored ornate history was everywhere, accompanied by a stunning eclectic mix of beautiful new construction, with excellent street presentation. From 300 East to 600 West and 400 South to North Temple was an obvious expanse of vibrant and ongoing change. Considering the size of Salt Lake blocks, that is quite a large area of ongoing development. I can only imagine what it will continue to become as Downtown redevelopment continues to densify so quickly, and also expands to envelop the areas to both the south and also to the east, toward 700/Trolley Square.
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I don't know though, 50 stories does see a bit much. San Francisco's highest floor count is currently 60 stories. I suppose hotels (especially convention center ones) can generally support more floors. They generally have shorter levels, and convention center ones can support more tenants. The fact that it's thin could also boost floor counts. Even so, and as much as I would LOVE a 50-floor building, I think something in the 35-40 story range would be more feasible.
They should have done a fly-over of the spagetti bowl 
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