Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[SLC Projects]

Mayor Becker wants to build Police headquarters building at Library Square.

I saw this on fox 13 just now.
Looks like they are looking at two different plans. One is to use the old 5-story building on the corner of 400 South and 300 East. Or just build a new building on the East side of the Library Block.

Here is a link on ABC 4.
There is a video that shows ( 2:18 ) in of the building they want to use for the new headquarters.
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top%20s...-Salt/ZHMlJx5BQUafOVZf_8Rlug.cspx?rss=20

Here is a link to Fox13 news.
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-slc-leaders-propose-new-public-safety,0,7587713.story
"SALT LAKE CITY - Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and other city leaders on Thursday proposed a plan for a new public safety building. The new building would be built either next to the Salt Lake City Library or across the street. In 2007, Salt Lake City voters rejected a $192 million bond to fund a new public safety building by fewer than 300 votes. Salt Lake City voters will decide in November whether the new proposal, slated at $125 million, will come to fruition.
"I think the public recognized in 2007 that we have a horribly dilapidated public safety building," Becker said. "If there's one thing that we don't want in Salt Lake City, like any community, is we don't want to see our public safety officials, who are there to respond to emergencies, trapped in their own building.""

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Mayor Becker wants to built Police headquarters building at Library Square.

oooh thats cool! Which corner of library square? Where'd you get the info? I thought the city was strapped for cash.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

oooh thats cool! Which corner of library square?

It looks to be the South East corner.

[SLC Projects]

This is the building I think they want to use for the Police Headquarters.

Wyndham Resorts
http://www.slcgov.com/boards/plancom/2008/May/sr_4000806.pdf
Proposed
Floors: 4
Height:Unknown
Address: 431 South 300 East
Other: Reuse of an office building as a hotel timeshare. World Mark by Wyndham.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by delts145

Preserving of S.L. open space is celebrated

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705301840/Preserving-SL-open-space.html

Salt Lake leaders and environmentalists are celebrating the preservation of "one of the largest underdeveloped natural open spaces in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area."

After three years of working to secure the land, a deal to preserve the Wasatch Hollow Natural Open Space area, 5.5 acres near 1600 East and 1750 South, was finalized Wednesday morning, said Salt Lake City Councilman JT Martin...

.

I was hoping it was going to say the North West Quadrant. I say we preserve that land as open space, and grow the city's tax base by annexing other unincorporated areas like the millcreeks.

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

This is the building I think they want to use for the Police Headquarters.

Wyndham Resorts
http://www.slcgov.com/boards/plancom/2008/May/sr_4000806.pdf
Proposed
Floors: 4
Height:Unknown
Address: 431 South 300 East
Other: Reuse of an office building as a hotel timeshare. World Mark by Wyndham.

Gawd I hope not! That thing is hideous!

[urbanboy]

The building, without the weird worldmark by wyndham added features, is just fine.

[shakman]

Are those glass panes running perpendicular to the facade?

You guys out there have some interesting architecture... ...very unique. I like it.

[cololi]

The building shown was recently purchased by the City. It is currently slated to house the Department of Community and Economic Development. It is too small for the public safety building by itself, but could be incorporated into a campus. It would only be in play if they choose to build on the east side of 300 East. I think it would be more likely that they build on the west side, since the City already owns the land and it would be relatively easy to tie into the existing parking deck.

On a side note, I had a discussion with Cowboy Partners last night. It seems they are within 60 days of breaking ground on their 500 W project (west side of the street, across from their current apartments) and in the process of getting their building permit for their project on 300 E 200 S. Their portion of CCC is not scheduled for anything within the next few years. They have 16 month construction timeline, so next year, we will have additional 150-200 apartment units added downtown. They say that they already have a waiting list for their other projects that would fill both of these projects.

[jmonkey]

I'll be looking forward to further info on the police HQ. I think that site is ideal, but I can't imagine what the current structure would offer the city--maybe they would use it as part of a campus? I wonder what exact specifications the police department needs? How much square footage are they after, for what exact uses? I know an emergency command center would be a part of the plan.

Whatever they plan, I would really hope that the city respects the great opportunity they have here. With iconic architecture, and friendly public spaces, a police HQ could blend seamlessly with Library Square and Washington Square. It doesn't need to be designed like a fortress.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

The building, without the weird worldmark by wyndham added features, is just fine.

The Barnes Bank bldg is extremely ugly, but might have looked nice with the "weird features" that Worldmark was going to add to it.

[Future Mayor]

I hope they build on the east side of 300 East. I really like how open the Library Square block. I'm not sure the $125 million bond would be enough to build a large enough building while fitting in architecturally. The current building is about 8 stories, is that right? I don't think that would fit appropriately on the Library block. I think it ads an element that we don't want there. I'm all for the east side of the street thought. Except that will damper my visionary brownstones project.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by cololi

The building shown was recently purchased by the City. It is currently slated to house the Department of Community and Economic Development. It is too small for the public safety building by itself, but could be incorporated into a campus. It would only be in play if they choose to build on the east side of 300 East. I think it would be more likely that they build on the west side, since the City already owns the land and it would be relatively easy to tie into the existing parking deck.

On a side note, I had a discussion with Cowboy Partners last night. It seems they are within 60 days of breaking ground on their 500 W project (west side of the street, across from their current apartments) and in the process of getting their building permit for their project on 300 E 200 S. Their portion of CCC is not scheduled for anything within the next few years. They have 16 month construction timeline, so next year, we will have additional 150-200 apartment units added downtown. They say that they already have a waiting list for their other projects that would fill both of these projects.

Ooh..Are their renderings of the gateway apartments and the other project on 300E. 200S.???????!!

[delts145]

I took a little time today while downtown to check out the new LDS history library. This is the first time I've seen it actually completed, especially without the rain or Spring snows. I must say, that it was simply beautiful. Everything about it from the stone used to the corner facing windows, the roof line and curb side city creek feature, to the lighting fixtures inside the entry is first rate. What an improvement over that little old parking lot that used to be there. My compliments to the LDS church and whoever they used to design that building. It really was absolutely stunning.

A couple of other things that I noticed were the many tables set up on Main around the new Keys club. It was great to see all the people sitting out there eating and conversing. That whole block section around the new HP Tower is going to really kick butt.

[Comrade]

If they relocate, I just hope they don't demolish their old building. You don't get much international-style architecture in these parts and to have two downtown is pretty awesome.

I think that could be converted into a nice mid-rise condo.

Though I'm guessing it'll cost a lot.

[Future Mayor]

I was thinking that exact same thing Comrade, I think it would make a great addition to the housing market. With the right market conditions it could be very feasible in my opinion.

[Future Mayor]

Alright here's the deal. The current building looks to be about 8,942 sf on each level, taking into account the odd shape of the back side. At 18% set aside for common area that leaves 7,332 sf per floor. 7 Floor + 1st floor retail.

At an average of 1,000 sf per unit, you could have 42 new residential units in this building. Just as an example Richards Court west has only 38 units, and range in sf from the 700's to nearly 2,000 sf (not including the penthouse). 42 new units in that neighborhood would be a really nice addition to the neighborhood and can provide even more evening and night time population to the city.

When the city builds a new public safety building maybe they will issue an RFP like they did with the State Street properties.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I hope they build on the east side of 300 East. I really like how open the Library Square block. I'm not sure the $125 million bond would be enough to build a large enough building while fitting in architecturally. The current building is about 8 stories, is that right? I don't think that would fit appropriately on the Library block. I think it ads an element that we don't want there. I'm all for the east side of the street thought. Except that will damper my visionary brownstones project.

The original design for Library Square was to have shops, offices and housing on the east end of the block. The architect and Mayor Rocky Anderson wanted to leave it as open space.

I believe they should put shops, offices and housing there, but NO police HQ. First of all, we have way too many single-use facilities in the city. We need much, much more mixed use happening on the same block.

My other problem with the open space on the east end of Library Square is that it is totally disconnected from the Library and Library Plaza so that when you enter the library or plaza from the west side, you have no idea there is any open space over there. The disconnection of the open space and the weird sloping hillside make it mostly unusable.

Also, I am opposed to having the Police HQ there because it's my experience that even when I'm being a completely law-abiding citizen, I have been harassed by the police and am therefore uncomfortable around police officers and don't want to feel uncomfortable every time I go to the library, as I will if they're located on that block.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

I was hoping it was going to say the North West Quadrant. I say we preserve that land as open space, and grow the city's tax base by annexing other unincorporated areas like the millcreeks.

Urbanboy is right about the open space issue. That space is a great asset to the community and I would hate to see it disappear regardless if they also create a plaza.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by WeST

Urbanboy is right about the open space issue. That space is a great asset to the community and I would hate to see it disappear regardless if they also create a plaza.

I think you and Urbanboy are talking about two drastically different "open spaces."