Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by cololi

I agree completely about where the hub location should have been. However, do we correct a wrong right now and say that the new hub is at N Temple and 400 W or do we move in a direction of protecting the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been invested by the Fed govt, state, city and Utah in Salt Lake Central Station? I think the question is pretty obvious that we do what we can to build up Central Station.

I agree it would be nearly impossible to go back now. But I'd be willing to sacrifice Central Station for improved efficiency of the system as a whole. I guess I equate better efficiency with shorter commute times with increased ridership(which is the ultimate goal). And its true, should a transfer station at North Temple be built, almost no one would get off at Central Station. I understand your wanting to protect the millions of public dollars that have already been pumped into the Central Station location, but that money was spent with the purpose of serving the public. And if a transfer station at North Temple serves the public better, than so be it.

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

hey hey hey!....... I would want a single rusty poll put in the middle of it before they call it art....... you know to resemble a spoon for the sugar.....

Absolutely! I was thinking of finding some old corrogated siding to bend into a roughly spoon-like shape and weld it to a rusty pole. Then the longer it takes for them to do something, the more rust stain would drip down on the pristine sparkly white sand signifying the blight on our souls that the irresponsible developers have placed upon us.

Not only art, but a statements as well!

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

I agree it would be nearly impossible to go back now. But I'd be willing to sacrifice Central Station for improved efficiency of the system as a whole. I guess I equate better efficiency with shorter commute times with increased ridership(which is the ultimate goal). And its true, should a transfer station at North Temple be built, almost no one would get off at Central Station. I understand your wanting to protect the millions of public dollars that have already been pumped into the Central Station location, but that money was spent with the purpose of serving the public. And if a transfer station at North Temple serves the public better, than so be it.

While a transfer station at N. Temple would shorten the commute from the north by a couple of minutes, but if that were the only station, it would lengthen the commute from the south by just a bit. One other problem I see is that under the viaduct doesn't seem like a very vibrant location for a Central Hub. The beauty of the location of Central Station is that there is plenty of redevelopment opportunity directly surrounding the station. It's an opportunity to extend the downtown core further west.

P.S. I'm moving this conversation over to the Transit Thread.

[Urban_logic]

Originally Posted by cololi

I agree completely about where the hub location should have been. However, do we correct a wrong right now and say that the new hub is at N Temple and 400 W or do we move in a direction of protecting the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been invested by the Fed govt, state, city and Utah in Salt Lake Central Station? I think the question is pretty obvious that we do what we can to build up Central Station.

Yes, I deffinately feel that the hub would have been better located on North Temple and 4th West. However, that is not the case. I do think that multiple hubs are good to have, just not so close to each other - I mean the hub and the "sub hub" will be only blocks apart, which is rediculous! I suppose the 6th West option would be the one I would support because it will utilize the exsisting hub. I love the idea of having a multi-level hub, but the hub is what it is and should, as you said, continue to be invested in.

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

While a transfer station at N. Temple would shorten the commute from the north by a couple of minutes, but if that were the only station, it would lengthen the commute from the south by just a bit. One other problem I see is that under the viaduct doesn't seem like a very vibrant location for a Central Hub. The beauty of the location of Central Station is that there is plenty of redevelopment opportunity directly surrounding the station. It's an opportunity to extend the downtown core further west.

P.S. I'm moving this conversation over to the Transit Thread.

It is true that the 4th West option would be more efficient, but what's a few extra minutes to invest in the hub and make it the best it can be? I think it's worth the sacrifice (the few extra minutes).

[Urban_logic]

Ooops! Sorry about posting after you moved the convo!! I will continue over there on the transit thread from here on out

[TANGELD_SLC]

Originally Posted by Urban_logic

You just said the you thought infrastructure and construction is a good investment. That's what this stimulus bill is - investment in construction and infrastructure (in this particular case, but the stimulus bill also includes funding for science, education, green technologies, rebuilding the electric grid, etc). 99.5% of it isn't pork. It's amazing how much pork was kept out of the bill. The money you speak of that went to the banks was actually passed by *gasp* former president Bush.

Sorry for not being more clear. I SUPPORT that money going where it's going, and I DON'T support it being used for banks that are going to fail anyway.

[delts145]

Cheers, House passes historic liquor reform


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11892001

The House passed landmark liquor reform late Wednesday to shouts of "Cheers!" and raised cups from a number of House members...

...Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. made "normalizing" Utah's liquor laws one of his top priorities, with an eye toward helping the state's $6 billion a year tourism industry. More than half of Utahns in a Salt Lake Tribune poll also supported reforming liquor laws.

The bill would do away with Utah's one-of-a-kind private club law, which requires patrons to buy a membership to enter a bar. Instead, those appearing to be under age 35 would have their driver license scanned to verify their age. The information would be stored on site for seven days...

.

[delts145]

Salt Lake convention business strong despite recession - Bookings » 2008 was second-best year ever, though downturn's effects are being felt.

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_11882386

This is a big year for the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.

It's celebrating its silver anniversary, 25 years of marked growth that includes a prominent supporting role in securing and staging the 2002 Winter Olympics...

...Its prospects of continuing to do so will be enhanced greatly if it succeeds this July in impressing thousands of visitors from Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the people who decide where companies, groups and trade associations hold their future conventions...

..."This is a great opportunity to bring the best and the brightest of our industry here to Salt Lake City and to show them what we are and what we're becoming," said Bureau President Scott Beck, citing ongoing construction projects that are reshaping downtown Salt Lake City. "I'm always amazed by the looks on people's faces when we go to the 16th floor of the Marriott hotel and show them what's going on."


Bruce MacMillan, president of Meeting Professionals International,

..MPI President Bruce MacMillan, in town to address the bureau meeting, said he believes Salt Lake City is well positioned to flourish in this age of heightened competition.

"The [Salt Palace] convention center is fabulous. You have the hotels. Any city that can host the Olympics and that has put money into the infrastructure will do well," he said. "Strong meeting and event destinations will get stronger, and those on the periphery will fall away. You can't just be good. You have to be great." ....

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[SLCforme]

Originally Posted by delts145

Cheers, House passes historic liquor reform


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11892001

The House passed landmark liquor reform late Wednesday to shouts of "Cheers!" and raised cups from a number of House members...

...Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. made "normalizing" Utah's liquor laws one of his top priorities, with an eye toward helping the state's $6 billion a year tourism industry. More than half of Utahns in a Salt Lake Tribune poll also supported reforming liquor laws.

The bill would do away with Utah's one-of-a-kind private club law, which requires patrons to buy a membership to enter a bar. Instead, those appearing to be under age 35 would have their driver license scanned to verify their age. The information would be stored on site for seven days...

.

[goldcntry]

Will this have an effect on the State's liquor stores? My nephew just got hired at one in the Bountiful area...

[Future Mayor]

The only possible change to the liquor stores will be that they may no longer have to place the stickers on all the wine and beer. I'm not sure if this made it into the bill or not.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by goldcntry

Will this have an effect on the State's liquor stores? My nephew just got hired at one in the Bountiful area...

Why is this funny?

[Comrade]

Because Utah liquor stores ARE funny.

Get rid of 'em and allow local business to open liquor stores.

[jtrent77]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Because Utah liquor stores ARE funny.

Get rid of 'em and allow local business to open liquor stores.

Just fyi, this isn't as big of an anomaly as you may think. Here in Virginia you can buy beer and wine in the grocery store, but all other liquor must be bought in state owned stores. Just because it is Utah and liquor is involved doesn't mean the state must be doing something odd.

Same thing with New Hampshire--although why they have a HUGE liquor barn right next to the freeway is beyond me.

[Comrade]

It's only odd because there aren't many liquor stores.

Thankfully I live by one.

[SLCforme]

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11900205 Sam Weller's in closing

[Future Mayor]

Ohio has a similar situation with liquor stores, while they aren't state owned they are state regulated and they are in only a few locations.

[blazefirelight]

Originally Posted by SLCforme

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11900205 Sam Weller's in closing

Wow. Main Street is really taking a blow with this one. I can't believe that they're moving from Main. What could take its place? They've been downtown for ages!

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by SLCforme

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11900205 Sam Weller's in closing

This, for me, is absolutely the worst news yet. This breaks my heart. What a horrific loss to downtown.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by SLCforme

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11900205 Sam Weller's in closing

Damn!