Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Part 2

[delts145]

Originally Posted by cololi

You are right. I was thinking more along the lines of bigger hotels. The bottom line is that there are not any hotels in SLC built within the last 30-40 years that have a good street prescence. Far to often the front entrance is hidden behind the circular driveway. That is what I like about the Monaco, the main pedestrian entrance is on Main, but the main vehicle entrance is behind the building. It works great. Street prescence is by far the most important element of a downtown building in my opinion. Second is the top. I don't care nearly as much what happens in the middle, although some windows with more of a vertical emphasis would be nice.

I pretty much agree with everything your saying Cololi. Actually, your little pointers on the hotel's design would be a major improvement over allot of what we've been seeing lately, as far as convention hotels. Also definately, let's get it right with the street presence on this one.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by utahboozer

I'm thinking a raucous bar crowd, but everyone is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

I think that is just another day at Disney Land lol.
I like the idea of the hotel. I just hope we can afford it.
When it comes to the design I think we should do something similar to nelson mandela's Place in Cape Town. I stayed in that hotel for three weeks and it was amaizing.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

haha, let's never allow Disney Land to move to Utah.
Has anyone heard anything about when the condo project west of the Gateway will be going up?

[delts145]

I was wondering the same thing myself??

[delts145]

Rooms With A View

The Magic Hour. Views looking north from the 11th floor of Tower 1 ~ by Tucapel



Evening settles in. Views looking north from the 7th floor of Tower 1 ~ by Tucapel


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[WeST]

The Future of Green Cities in a Swedish Eco-Town

http://www.time.com/time/video/

If Salt Lake City did a development like this, where do you think it would be best to locate it?

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by WeST

The Future of Green Cities in a Swedish Eco-Town

http://www.time.com/time/video/

If Salt Lake City did a development like this, where do you think it would be best to locate it?

I think a former Industrial site would be ideal, I'm not sure where though. I think a prime opportunity outside of Salt Lake City would be the former Geneva Site.

[T-Mac]

[delts145]

^^^
Very nice T-Mac. I like how the colors of the sunset mimic the Chase Tower. Also, I was thinking how great it is to have that Walker sign with us downtown. As many have commented, it really adds to the character of the CBD.

Growing success: Organizers call Tuesday Farmers Market a success

http://www.deseretnews.com/site/staff/2971/Kristin-Murphy.html

...The market is a trimmed-down version of the Saturday Farmers Market, aimed exclusively at growers rather than craftsman and chefs, said Kim Angeli, special events director for the Downtown Alliance.

Organizers had hoped 2,000 patrons would attend the first Tuesday market. Halfway through, Angeli estimated that they'd surpassed that number...



Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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[delts145]

S.L. proposing ordinance to restrict panhandling

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705321532/Panhandling-ordinance-considered.html

Salt Lake City is considering an ordinance that would place major restrictions on where, when and how panhandlers are allowed to operate in Utah's capital...

As it is currently written, the ordinance would prohibit panhandling within 20 feet of sidewalk cafes, lines of people waiting to be admitted to a vehicle or place, street vendors, bus stops, entrances to some religious establishments and ATMs.

Panhandling also would be outlawed on buses and trains and in public transit hubs.

Under the proposed ordinance, it would be illegal for panhandlers to make false claims about being homeless, disabled, a veteran or a stranded out-of-towner.

Panhandlers also wouldn't be allowed to block traffic, impede a pedestrian's path or ask for money while walking "behind, ahead of, or alongside" someone.

Panhandling before sunrise or after sunset would be outlawed...

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[delts145]

Baskin-Robbins plans 25 stores in S.L. area

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705321476/Baskin-Robbins-plans-25-stores-in-SL.html

The owners of Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin Brands of Canton, Mass., are seeking franchisee candidates for 25 new stores planned around Salt Lake City...

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[WeST]

Originally Posted by delts145

S.L. proposing ordinance to restrict panhandling

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705321532/Panhandling-ordinance-considered.html

Salt Lake City is considering an ordinance that would place major restrictions on where, when and how panhandlers are allowed to operate in Utah's capital...

As it is currently written, the ordinance would prohibit panhandling within 20 feet of sidewalk cafes, lines of people waiting to be admitted to a vehicle or place, street vendors, bus stops, entrances to some religious establishments and ATMs.

Panhandling also would be outlawed on buses and trains and in public transit hubs.

Under the proposed ordinance, it would be illegal for panhandlers to make false claims about being homeless, disabled, a veteran or a stranded out-of-towner.

Panhandlers also wouldn't be allowed to block traffic, impede a pedestrian's path or ask for money while walking "behind, ahead of, or alongside" someone.

Panhandling before sunrise or after sunset would be outlawed...

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Part of me wants to cheer when I read this, but then I think of how restrictive this is on our freedom of speech and I cringe. I usually assume all panhandlers are liars and addicts, but I still don't like government being this controlling. Further, many panhandlers are a reminder to me what a plague alcohol and drug abuse is on society. The one part that seems reasonable is the restriction on lying about your circumstances in order to get money. That should be illegal and would probably cut most of it out if enforced. It's amazing how many women I have run into at the Fort Union Home Depot, that are stranded by their boyfriend and just need money for the bus ride home. Pathetic what drugs do to people.

[utahboozer]

Originally Posted by WeST

Part of me wants to cheer when I read this, but then I think of how restrictive this is on our freedom of speech and I cringe. I usually assume all panhandlers are liars and addicts, but I still don't like government being this controlling. Further, many panhandlers are a reminder to me what a plague alcohol and drug abuse is on society. The one part that seems reasonable is the restriction on lying about your circumstances in order to get money. That should be illegal and would probably cut most of it out if enforced. It's amazing how many women I have run into at the Fort Union Home Depot, that are stranded by their boyfriend and just need money for the bus ride home. Pathetic what drugs do to people.

How hard is it for people just to say, "I can't do it, man," and keep walking?

I swear, this is what keeps people from embracing the urban lifestyle, this fear of having to speak to a stranger, the phobia of having to pop your earbuds out and stop listening to your newest Kings of Leon track in order to talk to someone unknown for a brief moment.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by utahboozer

How hard is it for people just to say, "I can't do it, man," and keep walking?

I swear, this is what keeps people from embracing the urban lifestyle, this fear of having to speak to a stranger, the phobia of having to pop your earbuds out and stop listening to your newest Kings of Leon track in order to talk to someone unknown for a brief moment.

I think cities get concerned by the impression that this gives people about the safety of a city. In reality many people have stories about aggressive panhandling that was intimidating, which is a real big deal if you have little children with you or your wife. The most aggressive behavior that I have seen or witnessed is the general area around the shelter/rescue mission. What I would be concerned about with my family is what someone might do when they are strung out.

[Orlando]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa5279/is_20090713/ai_n32409495/?tag=content;col1

SLC office vacancy rises to 4 year high!

[scottharding]

I've never encountered an aggressive panhandler, but I don't doubt that it happens sometimes. But I too don't quite like these restrictions on panhandling. While I know what the city is going for, I can't help but imagine beggars and vagrants who aren't entirely "there" being dragged away by police. And I wonder if such laws would restrict say the Cello guy from playing outside the Broadway theatre, if the law was enforced to that extent. I personally feel the city was taking a better angle when they tried to discourage the general public with giving anything to panhandlers, and were instead, trying to direct the panhandlers to the shelters for proper help.
Living downtown, I get asked for money at least once a day. I kindly remark that I don't carry cash or have any change (whether it's true, or not) and continue on my way. It's not uncomfortable in anyway. They usually sneer or sometimes say to have a good day and that's that.

[Future Mayor]

While that isn't good news, it could be much worse. Industry professionals consider roughly 8% vacancy as "Full" This is due to space being moved in and out of at the time and space being remodeled or cleaned for a new client. So while it is higher than it has been, it's not horrible, yet!

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by WeST

My concern is that these companies start here, but when they get investment dollars they move somewhere else like California or Texas. We need to be working as hard as we can to keep them growing here and employing people.

Perhaps if we were more welcoming to a diverse crowd, these entrepreneurs would stay.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Perhaps if we were more welcoming to a diverse crowd, these entrepreneurs would stay.

I think if we had more people who have obtained at least bachelors degree in something they would stay. In SLC I remember reading 28% of our population has a bachelors or beyond while in San Fransisco and Seattle I believe it was upwards of 40%. I think that may be a big factor in why they headed west and north west.

Let me check on those figures for Seattle and San Fran.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Perhaps if we were more welcoming to a diverse crowd, these entrepreneurs would stay.

http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/departments/elearning/?article=educatedcities


Most-Educated Cities in the United States According to a Census Bureau study, Seattle tops the list of America's most educated cities, with more than half its population 25 years and older holding at least a bachelor's degree. Data collected by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey shows that 52.7 percent of 25-and-over Seattleites have a bachelor's degree or higher, closely followed by San Francisco (50.1 percent), Raleigh, North Carolina (50.1 percent), Washington, D.C. (45.3 percent), and Austin, Texas (44.1 percent). These same cities ranked--in the same order--as the top five most educated cities in last year's Census Bureau data as well. The national college graduation rate is 27.2 percent, up from last year's figure of 25.9 percent. Education levels bode well for a city's economic success. The top five most educated cities also made the list of the top 25 most prosperous cities. With a median household income of $70,921, residents of San Jose, California, earn more, on average, than those in any other city in the country. San Jose residents are also well-educated. With 36.1 percent of its population holding a bachelor's degree or higher, San Jose ranks in the top 15 on America's list of most-educated cities.