Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[cololi]

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

I've met Corroon, he'a a great guy, but having him as governor scares me.
He would raise taxes wherever possible so he can unnecessarily expand the state government right away, just like he has done in the county. I don't get why Democrats insist on being such wasteful spenders. They would be much better public officials if they'd just knock it off.

Do you realize that the executive branch of the govt. has absolutely zero authority to raise taxes and must administer the adopted budget of the legislature? Creating the adopted budget is the job of the legislative branch. Pretty sure that 2/3 of the legislature is republican. Plus, the state of Utah has to balance the budget every year (it is part of the state constitution).

As far as caroon goes, who knows, I doubt he would win a state wide race. But his track record does not indicate that he is a tax and spend democrat.

[delts145]

Becker 'not settled' on S.L. public safety complex

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...L-complex.html

Got a problem with the proposal to put a public safety complex on Library Square?

Ralph Becker wants to hear about it.

Since laying out a pair of options two weeks ago to replace the city's dilapidated police and fire headquarters, the Salt Lake City mayor has drawn heavy criticism from some.

But while Becker said constructing two multistory buildings on the library block was the "preferred" option, the mayor said he could still be persuaded to believe the best fit for the $125 million public safety complex is on the opposite side of 300 East...

...Steven Crane, the local architect who worked with designer Moshe Safdie on the award-winning library, said he was "disheartened" when he read about the possibility of building a public safety complex on Library Square.

"It's not like Moshe and I are keepers of the block," Crane said. "But I hate to see other buildings really crowd in on that."

.

[delts145]

At first thought, my reaction to further development on Library Square was neutral. I thought, well if they can put up something of quality on the eastern fringe, then why not. I mean, aren't we all for increased density? However, looking around that sector of town, I become a little perturbed to say the least. How many Ken Garff type dearlerships, or even vacant blocks of abandoned auto dealerships are needed? Why are we so at the mercy of land bankers in downtown Salt Lake? Is there nothing we can do as a point of political/public and legal policy to free up the log jam of downtown land banking, when it comes to this type of serious need for a new public safety campus? Given the abundance of vacant blocks and lots in that sector, this strict amount of land availability for critical community needs, seems grotesque. Somehow, some way, there must be a viable option for moving forward and dealing with land ownership and community progress downtown.

Our Library and Library Square has become one of the capital's proudest symbols. Given the amount of open space that still exists downtown in that sector, there should'nt even be a consideration of crowding into the Safdie, internationally acclaimed masterpiece that is our Library!!

Would we be in favor of building an annex on the perimeter of Washington Square? Of course not!! Even if the annex were of the same materials and design as the City Hall itself. Now...., put a quality annex on the block south of Washington Square, and it's a whole different matter.

This is just a side note, but what if the northern perimeter of the Ken Garff dealership were a building of several stories, built with the same facade and design as the Brook's Arcade? What a classy and worthy window display the bottom floor would make for the likes of Jaguar and Mercedes. And the upper floors could be both office and or residential. Just a thought...

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by delts145

At first thought, my reaction to further development on Library Square was neutral. I thought, well if they can put up something of quality on the eastern fringe, then why not. I mean, aren't we all for increased density? However, looking around that sector of town, I become a little perturbed to say the least. How many Ken Garff type dearlerships, or even vacant blocks of abandoned auto dealerships are needed? Why are we so at the mercy of land bankers in downtown Salt Lake? Is there nothing we can do as a point of political/public and legal policy to free up the log jam of downtown land banking, when it comes to this type of serious need for a new public safety campus? Given the abundance of vacant blocks and lots in that sector, this strict amount of land availability for critical community needs, seems grotesque. Somehow, some way, there must be a viable option for moving forward and dealing with land ownership and community progress downtown.

Our Library and Library Square has become one of the capital's proudest symbols. Given the amount of open space that still exists downtown in that sector, there should'nt even be a consideration of crowding into the Safdie, internationally acclaimed masterpiece that is our Library!!

Would we be in favor of building an annex on the perimeter of Washington Square? Of course not!! Even if the annex were of the same materials and design as the City Hall itself. Now...., put a quality annex on the block south of Washington Square, and it's a whole different matter.

This is just a side note, but what if the northern perimeter of the Ken Garff dealership were a building of several stories, built with the same facade and design as the Brook's Arcade? What a classy and worthy window display the bottom floor would make for the likes of Jaguar and Mercedes. And the upper floors could be both office and or residential. Just a thought...

That last part sounds AMAZING!!
I like the idea of taxing the parking lots and using that tax money to develop free parking space downtown via above ground parking. I think that the police headquarters around library square may be bad idea. A lot of people view the cops as antagonists and no not just criminals.
I also like the idea of using up a parking lot or one of the abandoned car dealerships for the building, I didn't know there were abandoned car dealerships though. I think after city creek center develops we will see more upscale kind of car dealerships downtown.

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by delts145

Our Library and Library Square has become one of the capital's proudest symbols. Given the amount of open space that still exists downtown in that sector, there should'nt even be a consideration of crowding into the Safdie, internationally acclaimed masterpiece that is our Library!!

Yeah I too have changed my mind about Becker's proposed Cop Shop. At first I thought it would be cool to have increased density with new buildings on Library Square, but now I agree with the opponents- I would rather see those buildings across the street. Library Square really is some unique open space, and I would hate to see its iconic curve hidden behind what will likely be some bland looking public works building (but here's to hoping they will build a police headquarters worth talking about architecturally). Also I hope they don't put some unnecessary bend in 300 East, thats just irritatingly suburban IMO. I'm glad Becker is open to criticism, lets just hope he listens.

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

That last part sounds AMAZING!!
I like the idea of taxing the parking lots and using that tax money to develop free parking space downtown via above ground parking. I think that the police headquarters around library square may be bad idea. A lot of people view the cops as antagonists and no not just criminals.
I also like the idea of using up a parking lot or one of the abandoned car dealerships for the building, I didn't know there were abandoned car dealerships though. I think after city creek center develops we will see more upscale kind of car dealerships downtown.

I don't want to see any car dealerships downtown, no matter how upscale. It is the most wasteful use of prime real estate ever. A parking lot tax is an interesting idea, but I don't think that money should go towards building aboveground parking garages (like that tasteless structure built on Exchange Place). I'd rather see it be used to offer incentives to developers for residential, retail, and office space downtown. Infrastructure that caters to automobiles (above ground terraces, surface parking lots, dealerships, ect..) just kills the urban neighborhood vibe. In the downtown area I'd rather invest in pedestrian oriented development and infrastructure.

[cololi]

The reality is parking is required. Even the greatest cities in the world have parking garages. It isn't the garage itself that sucks, it is the placement and design. In those areas where it is incredibly difficult to get mid block through ways, I have not problem with dropping a garage in the middle of the block and having buildings built between them and the sidewalk. I do like the concept of a parking lot tax to help offset the cost of building additional parking because it helps free up money to make other improvements.

I am also okay with car dealerships in downtown, provided they are vertical and not like the Garff complex of the Mark Miller complex. I would rather see a new building be "new" instead of trying to replicate an old historic building. A new building could incorporate a very attractive store front with appropriate sidewalk dressing and scale to make it human oriented. Replicating a historic building takes away from the impressiveness and importance of the historic building. it is generally considered poor historic preservation to do so.

[WeST]

One thing should be remembered in this discussion and that is taxes! The good Mayor is already proposing numerous fee increases (taxes) in order to keep services at their current level and also to continue other projects. Salt Lake already has the highest tax load in the state and adding more will make it less affordable to middle and lower class residence.

[John Martin]

I like the idea of upscale dealerships downtown. I think a couple of lessons could be learned from Europe when it comes to the way they buy cars. All of the structures on Ken Garff square are old and poorly designed, I think it's definitely do for a replacement. There's not a whole lot of room to be picky with a piece of land that big, but I don't think a street-side Mercedes/Jaguar dealership is a compromise. If they made it anything like the ones in Europe, it would be very nice, with a very high quality facade, huge glass windows, and a lavish showroom to showcase their shiny machines. Surrounding a shack with a sea of cars is not the right way to do it. I think it's the Mark Miller toyota dealer that has a tall parking structure that they store cars in, but it's a gigantic dealership and they still have the butt-ugly showroom vs. a sea of cars across the street.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by WeST

One thing should be remembered in this discussion and that is taxes! The good Mayor is already proposing numerous fee increases (taxes) in order to keep services at their current level and also to continue other projects. Salt Lake already has the highest tax load in the state and adding more will make it less affordable to middle and lower class residence.

I think taxing land bankers, not the people, was the point.

[jmonkey]

Originally Posted by WeST

One thing should be remembered in this discussion and that is taxes! The good Mayor is already proposing numerous fee increases (taxes) in order to keep services at their current level and also to continue other projects. Salt Lake already has the highest tax load in the state and adding more will make it less affordable to middle and lower class residence.

Remember, this is a bond issue, which will be financed with an increase in property taxes. The more your property is worth, the more you are going to pay, and once the loan is paid off, the tax disappears. The city's (and county's) voters approve these quite often, and as one is approved and another is paid, there isn't too substantial a net gain in the tax load. A lot of lower income people probably wouldn't feel the pain of such a tax, because they usually aren't property owners. As a middle income property owner in the city, I will most likely vote to approve the bond. It won't effect my pocketbook too badly, and I think the investment in the city is a good idea.

[T-Mac]

Hyatt Place at the Gateway






Broadway Park Lofts








Bonus Shot Downtown

[SLC Projects]

Wow, I didn't think the bricks would get added to the Broadway Park Lofts already. Looking good.

[urbanboy]

Thank you T-Mac! I'd like to see an update on Odd Fellows Hall. Could you get a shot or two next time you're out?

[delts145]

Wonderful detailing with these pics T-Mac. That new brick on the Broadway and the overall style courtesy of Milo, exemplifies perfectly what I was trying to say regarding the Ken Garff block across from Washington Square. There is absolutely no reason why a classic style, whatever it might be, if executed correctly, would diminish the feel of it's historic neighbor. I would a million times over rather see a beautiful project of five or so floors finished in a rough hewn stone or some other such classic material and style, such as the Broadway Park Lofts, than what is currently there. The Broadway Park Lofts will easily look as if it were constructed during the 20's or 30's, and had been carefully restored and maintained. While I love the look and feel of great comtempories such as the Library, I also think there is more than enough room to reestablish the great classics. Often the placement of a carefully recreated classic style is the most attractive solution, when as Hamilton so aptly coined, "a broken tooth is being replaced."

[delts145]

Name Change For South Salt Lake?

Marketing firm recommends name change for South Salt Lake

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...Salt-Lake.html

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A marketing and design firm hired by the Chamber of Commerce is recommending that this city change its name.

Infinite Scale contends that the industrial city lacks its own character and could benefit from major changes...

.

[T-Mac]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Thank you T-Mac! I'd like to see an update on Odd Fellows Hall. Could you get a shot or two next time you're out?

Will do. Also, do we need to start a new thread since this one has reached 10,000 posts or are we ok to continue? I thought I had read that they should only go to 10,000. If not, let's continue.

[East2Westback]

In looking at T-Mac's images, I am very impressed. This is exactly the kind of growth that really makes the downtown a focused environment. Midrise clusters that grow together really enforce the life of a downtown.

Honestly, I have always loved high rise architecture since I was hmmm.. maybe 10. In the last year and a half, what is happening is really going
to make the downtown a real urban core and not just a group of buildings.

I would never have thought it was going to happen...and everything that is going on is a major kick in the DT a$$ and it is actually doing exactly what it was supposed to do...which is rare in itself.

Again, nice shots T-Mac!

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by delts145

Name Change For South Salt Lake?

Marketing firm recommends name change for South Salt Lake

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...Salt-Lake.html

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A marketing and design firm hired by the Chamber of Commerce is recommending that this city change its name.

Infinite Scale contends that the industrial city lacks its own character and could benefit from major changes...

.

But then we won't be able to call it by it's hip nickname. SoSaLa! I seriously like that nickname.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by delts145

Name Change For South Salt Lake?

Marketing firm recommends name change for South Salt Lake

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...Salt-Lake.html

SOUTH SALT LAKE — A marketing and design firm hired by the Chamber of Commerce is recommending that this city change its name.

Infinite Scale contends that the industrial city lacks its own character and could benefit from major changes...

.

Why don't they change the name from South Salt Lake to just Salt Lake City. Have the two cities as one.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Why don't they change the name from South Salt Lake to just Salt Lake City. Have the two cities as one.

It is to my understanding, South Salt Lake City is its own corporate entity?