Salt Lake MSA Development Thread

[Makid]

Parks measure touted as economic development tool

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/5...rease.html.csp

West Valley City • New York City has Central Park. Mayor Mike Winder wants something similar for Utah’s second-largest city — and not just for the recreation opportunities.

Proposition 3 — which would provide money to complete the community’s trail system, build neighborhood parks and create a large “village green” in the City Center area — “is absolutely critical from an economic development standpoint,” Winder said.

If Proposition 3 passes, some of the money would be used for a 4- to 7-acre green space in City Center, accompanying a retail project that is just west of City Hall and adjacent to a new TRAX station that begins service next summer. Proponents want a water feature that flows down the length of the park, similar to one in the St. George’s town square, and a pedestrian promenade, such as the one in Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway.

A park could be crucial for the operators of a four-star hotel who are now considering whether to locate in the City Center redevelopment area, as well as other potential tenants, Winder said. He said the city cannot disclose which hotel is interested but that it is a well-regarded national chain and that the building would be seven stories.

[jedikermit]

That would be huge for WVC; I know Winder is trying to build up a true City Center for the city, but it's not easy to do after decades of neglect.

[SLC Projects]

"4- to 7-acre green space in City Center, accompanying a retail project that is just west of City Hall and adjacent to a new TRAX station."

Hold on. West of City Hall? Isn't there a subdivision west of city hall?

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

"4- to 7-acre green space in City Center, accompanying a retail project that is just west of City Hall and adjacent to a new TRAX station."

Hold on. West of City Hall? Isn't there a subdivision west of city hall?

Immediately west of City Hall there's the new TRAX station, a big parking lot, an America First Credit Union, and the Granger Library. There's a gap before you get to the subdivision. I was wondering if that master plan would be eliminating some of those houses, though...anyone know?

I also wonder about that Staples/Toys R Us big box that's there--if that would be modified at all.

[delts145]

Ya know... It's taken me a while, but I'm starting to become converted to a feeling of respect for the many efforts being made by the community leaders of West Valley City. It's never going to be Downtown, but over time it seems like their gradually making some real progress throughout the city.

[jedikermit]

They seem to be making progress in that they're actually planning and zoning, instead of just letting whoever build whatever shack-nasty thing wherever they want. That really started with the mayor before Winder, but he's been pretty aggressive in sticking to that plan and trying to build up a central core.

I've always thought it was too late to fix that mess, but they're making progress. They need to make a lot more.

[SLC Projects]

West Valley is making progress. But that city still has a long ways to go before it can have it's own city core. But I do welcome the change in that area.

[Future Mayor]

I too applaud WVC for its efforts in creating a core and a sense of place that is identified with WVC, rather than just another suburban city with a mall and a City Hall.

The original proposed update to Vally Fair I thought were very progressive and would have been one more piece of the "core" puzzle for WVC. As we all know it was scaled back dramatically but I like the fact that both the mall owner and the city were on board for such a project. I think it shows great vision and leadership.

While most of us, including myself, can't stand Mayor Dolan of Sandy, and the outrageous original Proscenium proposal, and the possible effects it could have had on downtown SLC. It was very visionary of Sandy to attempt to further create an identify for itself and to create a core. While I think the original proposal was very unrealistic, I do like the fact that Sandy leader many years ago did have a vision to create a core in the area north of the mall with the layout of the streets there and the placement of City Hall. I do think it has helped to create a core that WVC is now striving to create.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by delts145

MHTN Architects

The new West Jordan Library will be the new central headquarters for the Salt Lake County library system. The library itself will be approximately 20,000 sq. ft. The administration area that includes management, customer support and information technology will be 20,000 square feet as well and will replace the current administration area in Whitmore Library which has been undersized for quite some time. In addition there will be a large 15,000 sq. ft. community room for use by library patrons and the local citizens as well.

MHTN Architects, Inc. has been selected as the design firm for the new West Jordan Library.
.

Here are a few pics I took of the project. Not much to see. Just alot of earth moving.

Nov. 1, 2010.
West Jordan Library Project






Photos by Lee Powell

[jedikermit]

They're having an official groundbreaking ceremony at noon on Wednesday, November 10th. I don't know if anyone is interested enough to attend, but there might be some additional West Jordan city planning info there. I'll be in Denver that day, or I would probably find a way to go.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

They're having an official groundbreaking ceremony at noon on Wednesday, November 10th . I don't know if anyone is interested enough to attend, but there might be some additional West Jordan city planning info there. I'll be in Denver that day, or I would probably find a way to go.

LOL, I was wondering why they never had a ceremony. Ground has been broken already.
Good to know, maybe I'll go.

[jedikermit]

Yeah, I really don't know what the "groundbreaking" will be, but there might be some good info there.

I'm glad they're building the new centra/flagship library in West Jordan, but I do wish the site was a more visible location. Where it's at, you won't be able to see it from Redwood Road or 7800 South. With all the empty storefronts along Redwood Road, you'd think they would have chosen something more...visible. I guess because the city donated the land the library will be on, it made it a sweeter deal?

[SLC Projects]

My guess would be that the city just wanted to have the city hall, the court building and the new library all together. I am wishing more and more that UTA and the city of west jordan should have put the trax station there instead of where those empty store fronts are.

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

My guess would be that the city just wanted to have the city hall, the court building and the new library all together. I am wishing more and more that UTA and the city of west jordan should have put the trax station there instead of where those empty store fronts are.

I was thinking than too but now I've changed my mind. That vast chunk of pavement and outdated big box stores is now prime for redevelopment. With TRAX at the front door and City hall across the street I guessing it won't be long before something awesome comes along. Maybe something mixed use? That would really help West Jordan define a "gathering place" much like West Valley has tried to do.

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by Makid

Parks measure touted as economic development tool

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/5...rease.html.csp

FYI, this did not pass

[delts145]

Hyatt to run posh lodge at Canyons Resort

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/5...esort.html.csp

Another big-name hotel brand is entering the Park City market.

Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. will manage an upscale condominium/hotel development, to be now known as Hyatt Escala Lodge, at Canyons Resort outside of Park City.

“This is a strong sign of confidence in Park City and Canyons Resort by a company with a portfolio of more than 400 hotels in 45 countries … and a proven track record in other quality ski areas,” said Cory Williams, a partner with SDI Realty Group, a Salt Lake City company that opened the lodge in December 2008 and has managed it since then...


Photo courtesy of SDI Realty Group of Salt Lake City Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. has been retained to manage Hyatt Escala Lodge at Canyons Resort. It has 85 private residences that may be divided into 178 hotel suites at various times and will operate as a full-service hotel.

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[Future Mayor]

As Hyatt continues to increase its presence in Utah with this announcement, combined with the non full-service properties already in SL Valley, I wouldn't be surprised to see them enter DT SLC with a full Service HYATT in the next 5 or so years. Maybe the Convention Hotel could be a Hyatt after all.

[delts145]

Agreed Future Mayor. I just hope that they'll do something interesting and not so bland/commercial. I've been very impressed as of late with what the political and business leaders of Salt Lake and Provo have been turning out in the way of design wishes for new projects. I would like to see something for Salt Lake that has a flair to it, like the Bow in Calgary, or anything that is not just another big box standing on end, with endless rows of repeating sameness.

[delts145]

SLCC groundbreaking

Deseret News:

An old building at the Salt Lake Community College Taylorsville campus has been demolished to make way for a new instructional and administration building. School and community officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building Wednesday.


A Salt Lake Community College student walks past a demolition site at the Taylorsville campus. College and community officials held a groundbreaking Wednesday for a new Instructional and administration building that will be built at this site. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)


An old building at the Salt Lake Community College Taylorsville campus has been demolished to make way for a new instructional and administration building. School and community officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building Wednesday. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)

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[Smuttynose1]

Promised Land: How Utah became the new economic Zion

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/11/08/h...omic-zion.html