Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[WeST]

Originally Posted by delts145

Incredible sunsets are pretty common in Salt Lake Valley, at least much more so than anywhere else I've lived. This seems especially true over the Great Salt Lake. Does someone have an official explanation for that?

It doesn't really have anything to do with pollution or Los Angeles would be the sunset capital of the U.S. It has to do with the angle of the earth at our particular latitude and how the light is filtered or refracted. I agree Delts, Salt Lake has fantastic sunsets, especially last night as my wife and I were leaving the Arts Festival.

[SLCforme]

Dust from the Deserts also plays a role (again, by refracting light that hits the earth at a large angle)

[East2Westback]

Originally Posted by delts145

Utah Ranked No. 1 for Expected Econonmic Recovery

The American Legislative Exchange Council

A new report produced by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) said Utah has the best economic outlook of any U.S. State. The report shows that those states which were eager to increase spending during the good times and have a high tax burden, are now suffering the most and those that controlled their budget are now in the best position to come out of the downturn first.

While Utah came at the top of the list, New York earned the dubious distinction of having the worst economic outlook. Maybe this has something to do with the 137 proposed tax increases currently being considered.

TOP FIVE STATES
1. Utah
2. Colorado
3. Arizona
4. Virginia
5. South Dakota

BOTTOM FIVE STATES
46. New Jersey
47. Maine
48. Rhode Island
49. Vermont
50. New York

.

It

What it has to do with is being the economic heart of the country that was severely punctured. In general, you feel it here but not nearly as much as you would think.

Life goes on! The housing economics are way out of kilter as far as relative value compared to the past. I feel this. However it does not have nearly as much to do with foreclosures as it has to do with value lost.

The economic framework has to be rebuilt not as much for New York as it is for the country and global economic interaction to receive parity. The economic sector was hurt not so much the state of New York. Still, we are all living through strange times.

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by delts145

Utah Ranked No. 1 for Expected Econonmic Recovery

The American Legislative Exchange Council

A new report produced by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) said Utah has the best economic outlook of any U.S. State. The report shows that those states which were eager to increase spending during the good times and have a high tax burden, are now suffering the most and those that controlled their budget are now in the best position to come out of the downturn first.

While Utah came at the top of the list, New York earned the dubious distinction of having the worst economic outlook. Maybe this has something to do with the 137 proposed tax increases currently being considered.

TOP FIVE STATES
1. Utah
2. Colorado
3. Arizona
4. Virginia
5. South Dakota

BOTTOM FIVE STATES
46. New Jersey
47. Maine
48. Rhode Island
49. Vermont
50. New York

.

Sometimes I think this is because Utah doesn't have as many of the 'big boy' companies established here. Which in a way is bittersweet.

[Comrade]

That's exactly it.

Salt Lake also isn't an industrial-based economy (outside of petroleum), at least not compared to many rust belt cities. The jobs here can be easily recovered, especially jobs in telemarketing, which Salt Lake City is a hub for.

They're easily reestablished.

[T-Mac]

[SLC Projects]

The Hyatt turned out alright for that area I think. Sure beats what used to be there.

[WeST]

I really like the Hyatt. I have not been a fan of many aspects of the Gateway, including the color scheme and bland design in certain areas. Despite that I think the Hyatt really turned out well and should fit in nicely for some time.

[delts145]

I agree WeST. The glass feature, the not as bland color scheme, and the quality stone at street level helped.

If anyone from the Boyer organization reads this forum, please do what you can to go back in and mix up the color scheme a little on Rio Grand Street. Also, add a little stone and brick here and there. Particularly places such as the West wall of the theatre need to be rethought. The shapes and configurations of the buildings at Gateway are attractive, as is also the finish on certain buildings such as Dick's. I've seen allot of lifestyle centers that are far worse, but that's not an excuse to not make improvements at The Gateway.

The design and finish aspect of Gateway Six is a big step in the right direction. Hopefully that project will get back on track soon.

[shakman]

I think the curtainwall scheme has really tone down that bland Gateway brown.

[delts145]

Utah's private clubs fade into history Wednesday

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...story-Wed.html

Starting Wednesday, Utah's private clubs won't be so private anymore.

That's when the new law eliminating private club membership requirements takes effect, turning the state's equivalent of bars into, well, bars.

No longer will customers have to fill out applications and pay fees before they can enter what's now a social club, the only establishment in Utah where alcohol can be served without food.

Private clubs "now have the ability to open their doors to anyone," said Sam Granato, chairman of the Utah Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission. "The whole reality of why we did this is to show, to use the phrase, the world is welcome here." ...

What new social club laws mean to you


http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_12716858

Lumpy's Sports Bar, along with 256 other establishments such as Piper Down that serve a full range of alcohol, is relinquishing its private club license and operating as a social club in its two locations, 3000 Highland Dr. and 145 Pierpont Ave. in Salt Lake City.

What changes will I see at Lumpy's (and elsewhere) beginning Wednesday? »You won't have to buy a $16 annual membership fee...

.

[delts145]

University Hospital, 130 million dollar expansion

U. Hospital renewed - CEO, a recent patient, eager to show changes

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/7...l-renewed.html


samwibatt

...An expanded valet parking service is one of several new features that will be touted later this month during a public open house to crown the hospital's $130 million expansion. Those who haven't been inside the facility for some time will likely appreciate the expansive new lobby, additional private patient rooms and the addition of 250 parking spaces...

.

[SLC Tortfeasor]

Interesting article today on population growth in cities. Salt Lake City has not grown over the 8 years, apparently. But here's an interesting excerpt:


Central cities are catching up to suburban growth in contrast to earlier this decade, when suburbs were growing more than twice as fast as central cities, Frey says. "Suburbs in America's major metros sustained the lowest growth this decade," he says.

Cities' rebound may be a result of people not being able to sell their homes or condos or not having jobs to allow them to leave cities.

"It's not temporary," says Carol Coletta, head of CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders. Research shows that homes in neighborhoods that encourage walking instead of driving to work and stores retain their values better.

"The other thing … is that people are calculating the cost of transportation when they're thinking of housing," Coletta says. "That changes the equation."

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...citypops_N.htm

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by SLC Tortfeasor

Interesting article today on population growth in cities. Salt Lake City has not grown over the 8 years, apparently. But here's an interesting excerpt:


Central cities are catching up to suburban growth in contrast to earlier this decade, when suburbs were growing more than twice as fast as central cities, Frey says. "Suburbs in America's major metros sustained the lowest growth this decade," he says.

Cities' rebound may be a result of people not being able to sell their homes or condos or not having jobs to allow them to leave cities.

"It's not temporary," says Carol Coletta, head of CEOs for Cities, a national network of urban leaders. Research shows that homes in neighborhoods that encourage walking instead of driving to work and stores retain their values better.

"The other thing … is that people are calculating the cost of transportation when they're thinking of housing," Coletta says. "That changes the equation."

Here's the link to the article:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...citypops_N.htm

SLC's population peaked in 2000 due to the number of temporary residents living here in the few years leading up to the Olympics. Once the Olympics were over, they moved back home, causing the population to show a decrease.

But SLC proper actually added about 1,000 residents between 2007 and 2008according to the estimate numbers. Since then, there have been several condo projects completed, so that number is probably much higher now. And also keep in mind these are population estimates, not an actual count. The estimates aren't always very accurate and have been known to reflect lower numbers than what there actually is.

SLC's daytime population is also increasing quite a bit.

[scottharding]

There's an article in the SL Tribune today concerning the latest census estimates, and they also mention Salt Lake's apparent stagnant growth, but they point out that the numbers are misleading. They show in there that SLC lost almost 3,000 people in the first six years of the decade, and then in the last few years has added them back, so while in the numbers it appears SLC changed little this decade, those of us who live here recognize the massive change that's started these last few years. In the percentage for growth numbers over the last year, they have SLC listed as fourth in the state. I think we'll see SLC have the highest percentage growth rate it has seen in decades over the next few years, spear-headed by the opening of CCC.
Also, I remember a stat that said SLC's daytime population is over 300,000. It was like third or fourth on the list for percentage swelling in the day, behind New York and DC.

[SLC Projects]

I always thought it's kind of pathetic that Utah's biggest city ( Salt Lake City ) doesn't even have a population of 200,000 ( Salt Lake 180,651 ) while you have a smaller city say Boise that has over 202,000 people living in. I never did get why Salt Lake has a bigger downtown with more taller buildings then Boise if we have a smaller city population.
But then I wonder maybe it has to do with the over all metro population of around 1,586,740. And the fact that downtown Salt Lake City has by far more Office buildings then residential. I guess alot of people work in Salt Lake, but live else where. ( by the way I got that info from emporis.com so I'm not sure how up to date these numbers are. )

[delts145]

^^^

When you say overall metro at 1,586,740, I assume you're talking about the inclusion of the Ogden/Clearfield area also. If thats the case, then you need to add another 600,000 plus people in Ut. Valley to the equation. We probably ought to include Heber Valley also and at least areas like Brigham City. Of course downtown Salt Lake is allot bigger than Boise, since it serves as the hub of a metro four times the size. However, I think downtown Salt Lake should be allot bigger still. I mean, it's definitely doing allot better than downtown Phoenix or Vegas comparitively, but could do better still. I guess it's getting there though. Allot of progress has been made downtown over the past ten years.

I know what you mean about being pissed at the population proper being around 180,000 since the 60's. I'm one of those that would like to see areas like Millcreek officially incorporated into Salt Lake proper.

[skyguy414]

Just because there are only 180,000 people within the borders of SLC proper doesn't reflect the impact the city has as a whole. SLC is the center of a large metropolitain area of 2,500,000 living in the Wasatch Front and it is growing, fast. It is the economic and cultural hub for this area. So it's impact is much larger than many cities that technically have a higher live-in population.

There are many cities out there with higher populations, but their impact as a city is not nearly as significant as Salt Lake's. There are 14 cities in California with more than 200,000 people living there. But would you say Stockton, CA or Bakersfield, CA (both with 250,000+) have nearly as big influence as Salt Lake City does? No, because they don't have the metropolitain population surrounding those cities like SLC does, nor do they have the economic or cultural significance like SLC does.

[urbanboy]

Perhaps Salt Lake City's boundaries are not as big as Boise's. From the 40's until the late 90's, Salt Lake City continued to lose a lot of people to the new suburban subdivisions. This was made possible by the mass production of cars and cheep gas. Now that the general public is finally seeing what slaves they are to their vehicles, the appeal for walkable urban environments is now back. And Salt Lake City sure fits the appeal. Therefore I think Salt Lake City will have an influx of younger suburbanites from the surrounding suburbs, as well as retirees looking for a walkable environment that empowers people, rather than the automobile.

[Comrade]

Salt Lake City's boundaries are huge, but a good chunk of that lies in an area that's uninhabitable due to poor ground. This is mostly everything west of 215.

Let's remember, Salt Lake stretches all the way out to 8800 West over in Northpointe by the Great Salt Lake.

To put that in context, this area is just as west as Magna, though obviously to the north.

Which is why Salt Lake's density numbers are always deceiving, because they incorporate not only that western swatch, but also a huge area of mountain north-east of the city (diagonal from the Avenues).

You can't build on this area. So Salt Lake's buildable land is essentially already developed (everything east of 215 to the mountains).

Which means you can probably fit what has been developed into the incorporated part of the city and still have room.

So Salt Lake is 110.4 square miles and Boise is only 64 square miles.

However, that contains most of Boise's urban area -- land that has been used for city development. Not all, mind you, but a great deal more than Salt Lake.

If Salt Lake City's proper was solely the area of the city built up and not the huge area of land west of the city that will never be developed, it would be about 45 square miles of land -- maybe even less.

That's a pretty stark difference and explains why Salt Lake's population has never pushed beyond 200,000.

To get beyond that point, it's going to take larger and more denser developments. Because, outside of a few locations on the western side of the city, there just isn't anymore area to grow -- unless you grow up.

To illustrate my point more, here is the map of Salt Lake's boundaries.



As you can see, a lot of land there that has yet to be developed or has only been developed by light industrial.

I don't know many other cities with less than half their square miles developed.

I'm sure they're out there, but not many -- or at least many as big as Salt Lake (both in population and size).