Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[WeST]

Originally Posted by scottharding

I'm glad you posted the City Weekly Article about the arts district, WEST. I read that yesterday. While I love the notion of the performing arts center on Main and Regent street, I think its opponents have a legit case against it. I'm not saying I think the new theatre is a bad idea, I just hope everyone knows what they're doing before moving forward. However, there seems to be very little drawback at all to the new Film center at the old Utah Theatre. The only downside seems to be the possible abandonment of the Tower Theatre, but hopefully the Salt Lake film society could still operate it as well as the Broadway cinemas and share the Film Center with Spyhop and the SLFC. Seems like a great possibility for SLC to really be one of the first cities to develop a real film network for viewers and filmmakers alike.
Also, good to hear about the Trib building. I've been wondering about it lately.

So what do you guys think about the Trib possibly being office space? At first glance I dislike the idea based on the fact that they leave at 5. I think for now there is plenty of office workers, but it would be great to get more people living right on Main.

Also I still am not convinced that the Broadway Theatre is the best possible way to spend that money right now. I am assuming it is coming from the ZAP tax, so the money could be spent on anything that is ZOO, ARTS and PARK. There are plenty of other options.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

I like Area and Sound personally. Unfortunately I heard there have been like three bar fights this month at Area.

As far as a Broadway theater. I know I would for sure go see the plays they were putting on all the time! but I can't support it on my own lol. Has there been any studies to show how profitable and successful the theater would be?

[urbanboy]

A large new theater will be able to bring and accommodate first run shows, whereas our existing facilities can continue to host the second run and local shows.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

The only draw back is the lack of concentration of nightlife in one particular "club district" But there is something out there in the downtown area for nearly everyone.

I think this notion that SLC needs a club district is B.S. Most cities I've been to don't have one club district and oftentimes the best clubs I've been to in various cities have been off the beaten path, not near other clubs.

[Green Bro]

Word. Clubs and Bars are a lot of times in random places. Just look at New York.

About the Portland nightlife, i just like all the restaurents on that one street (can't remember what it is now ) and the food areas along the rivers.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by WeST

So what do you guys think about the Trib possibly being office space? At first glance I dislike the idea based on the fact that they leave at 5. I think for now there is plenty of office workers, but it would be great to get more people living right on Main.

Also I still am not convinced that the Broadway Theatre is the best possible way to spend that money right now. I am assuming it is coming from the ZAP tax, so the money could be spent on anything that is ZOO, ARTS and PARK. There are plenty of other options.

I would prefer the Trib bldg become residential and I'm all for the Broadway Theatre.

[Green Bro]

I feel the exact same. New Theatre!!! In New York, especailly on lower Manhatten, (it's also where my brother lives so this is how i know), they have and still are converting older buildings into nice apartments.

[DMTower]

^^^ Converting old commercial buildings into residential is a great new use for them when they no longer meet the needs for class A office space. Instead of tearing them down, turn them into lofts! Then there will be demand for brand new commercial towers.

[anyiliang]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I think this notion that SLC needs a club district is B.S. Most cities I've been to don't have one club district and oftentimes the best clubs I've been to in various cities have been off the beaten path, not near other clubs.

I agree with you on that. If all of the clubs/bars were on on street right next to each other, it would be only convenient for the club hoppers. I really like having clubs/bars in different areas throughout the city. Some times the clubs/bars will take on a feel of the neighborhood or it is just nice to go to different areas over the weekend instead of going to the same old street all the time.

[anyiliang]

Originally Posted by East2Westback

"I dont really see non-LDS older people living in DT SLC." That does not make any sense. Living downtown is always a desirable no matter what city.

Please give me the reasons that you think the downtown would be livable for older LDS people and not for non LDS older people Hilarious.

Sorry poor choice of words. Of course I see non lds people living in DT SLC. There will probably be more non lds than lds. I was just wanting to say that because the lds church has such a large presence in DT SLC that for older lds people living there would be really desirable.

[delts145]

Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake expanding to Tuesday nights

"The Downtown Farmers Market is growing."


by Utah Guy

By Aaron Falk
Deseret News

Beginning next week, the popular market will be open Tuesday evenings — a change officials hope brings Salt Lake City one step closer to a year-round public market.

The weeknight event will be a slimmed down, modified version of the Saturday market. It will run through October.

The Saturday market features more than 200 arts, crafts and produce vendors and brings between 7,000 and 10,000 people to Pioneer Park every weekend.

About 40 vendors will sell fresh produce between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday nights.

"We'll wait and see how many people show up," said farmers-market manager Kim Angeli. "Saturday is more than just a shopping destination; it's also a social gathering where people reconnect with friends, make new friends and enjoy some music. The Tuesday market is really going to be more of a shopping destination."

Downtown Alliance officials hope to capture commuters who do not trek into the capital city on weekends.

Salt Lake City leaders will be watching the Tuesday market's success as they eye the potential for a year-round public market in the downtown area.

"In order for a year-round public market to be successful, we have to show there's an appetite for fresh produce and goods on a daily basis," Angeli said.

Last year, Maine-based Market Ventures Inc. conducted a feasibility study for a year-round market in Salt Lake City. The firm analyzed comparable markets, estimated costs and revenues, and looked at possible sites.

The conclusion: Salt Lake is ripe for a market — if done properly.

Market Ventures reviewed 29 downtown sites and recommended two top choices: the old Ford parking garage and adjacent lot on the southeast corner of 300 South and 400 West, and the central warehouse district just west of The Gateway between 100 South and 200 South.

Adding an extra day to the Downtown Farmers Market will help prepare the area around Pioneer Park for a larger, year-round market, Angeli said.

"It continues to establish the neighborhood as a market district," she said.

..

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by delts145

Beginning next week, the popular market will be open Tuesday evenings — a change officials hope brings Salt Lake City one step closer to a year-round public market.

I think this will be great because I often want to go to the market, but I never wake up early on Saturdays.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by delts145

Beginning next week, the popular market will be open Tuesday evenings — a change officials hope brings Salt Lake City one step closer to a year-round public market...

How would a year around public market work? Would it just consist of non food items during the winter?

[Comrade]

I don't think a club district is a bad idea. The fact most cities don't have one is a selling point in my mind because it's unique.

Salt Lake also has a compacted downtown and regardless, a cluster of clubs and bars would automatically form a district -- officially or not.

[Smuttynose1]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I think this notion that SLC needs a club district is B.S. Most cities I've been to don't have one club district and oftentimes the best clubs I've been to in various cities have been off the beaten path, not near other clubs.

I agree many great places are found off the beaten path, but I can't see the justification for keeping the 2 bars a block rule. It doesn't mean the city necessarily has to designate an area a 'club district,' just not keep in place an archaic regulation. Often restaurants, bars and clubs will organically sprout up around each other and that's generally a good thing. It tends to infuse some extra life in the area.

Below is the Haymarket in Boston, which is familiar to any tourist, but bar-clusters are in all the vibrant neighborhoods, from Harvard Square to Allston.

[WeST]

While I am not necessarily supporting the 2 per block policy, I am trying to defend the logic. My understanding is that the idea is to keep people from bar hopping and getting slammed drunk and then driving (or walking on to a private plaza ). If removing this law would lead to more drunk driving deaths, then I am probably not for it.

[MetroFanatic]

Originally Posted by Smuttynose1

Below is the Haymarket in Boston, which is familiar to any tourist, but bar-clusters are in all the vibrant neighborhoods, from Harvard Square to Allston.

Hey I'll be in that area in about 19 days.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by WeST

While I am not necessarily supporting the 2 per block policy, I am trying to defend the logic. My understanding is that the idea is to keep people from bar hopping and getting slammed drunk and then driving (or walking on to a private plaza ). If removing this law would lead to more drunk driving deaths, then I am probably not for it.

Flawed logic because generally they're going to get smashed regardless.

It's the same problem I have with the 3.2 beer laws here. You think it actually stems drunkenness? No. People just drink more beer to get drunk, which turns them into a disgusting and fat drunk.

[Zionide]

Originally Posted by WeST

If removing this law would lead to more drunk driving deaths, then I am probably not for it.

I don't think being able to more easily visit additional bars in one night is going to increase the likelihood of someone getting drunk (and therefore potentially driving drunk). Bartenders aren't legally allowed to serve someone who is intoxicated, period, whether it's their first drink in the place or their 10th. If bartenders follow the law, it'll make no difference.

Plus, cab drivers tend to hang out in "bar districts" because they know they can have decent numbers of customers there. Having a line of cabs available is going to help decrease DUIs, whereas now in SLC, without a place cabs frequent for that reason, you have to call and wait and wait and wait.... lots of people used to leave the bar where I worked and try to drive because they didn't want to wait for a cab.

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Flawed logic because generally they're going to get smashed regardless.

It's the same problem I have with the 3.2 beer laws here. You think it actually stems drunkenness? No. People just drink more beer to get drunk, which turns them into a disgusting and fat drunk.

It's true. If someone wants to drink that much, they'll find a way. The solution is providing safe transport home, not more policing of liquor, which has been proven ineffective time and again.

[DMTower]

If someone chooses to drink and drive, spacing the bars out isn't going to help anything. If anything, they'll drink at one bar, drive to the next, drink more, drive home. It's flawed logic.