Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[DCRes]

I've listened to Randy Rigby's last few weekly interviews on 1320 KFAN and he has more than hinted that major renovations are coming to Energy Solutions Arena. I don't know exactly what that means. I wonder if they will all be inside or if something might be done to the outside and the grounds. One thing I've always wished they would do is update the southwest corner. It is just a big blank wall and looks like the 'back' of the buidling. This was probably more appropriate when it was built because there was really no development west of there but with the Gateway now that is where alot of people park and come from. I would love if they covered the loading dock and extended the plaza to that corner and maybe made another entracne. Also, they could include some new restaurants not only inside but somewhere else on the property.

It's not offically announced, but he's all but said that they will be getting a new jumbo-tron, which is good because the current one is very dated.

[SLCdude]

A new jumbo-tron would be nice. I hope he means a name change. "Energy Solutions Arena" is a gross name . I miss the Delta Center

[H4vok]

Originally Posted by SLCdude

A new jumbo-tron would be nice. I hope he means a name change. "Energy Solutions Arena" is a gross name . I miss the Delta Center

I second that. I think we have the oldest jumbo-tron in the league!

[Future Mayor]

I am good friends with the regional sales representative for Daktronics, and about a month ago he told me that he is on the phone with Greg Miller about once a month. Greg had told him that the plan was that if they make the playoffs this season, which they did, that they would most likely be putting in a new scoreboard (jumbotron) for the beginning of next season.

It sounds to me from also listening to the Randy Rigby interviews that within the next 5-10 years they will be adding a second row of suites, and that the arena is designed to to such. The top of the arena is already equiped with what looks to be suites, but I don't think they are sold as suites. Another option that I initially brushed aside was that they could add the new suites, below the existing ones, but that meant that all the concessions and restrooms would have to be reconfigured. However during one if his last two interviews he mentioned the enormous amount of plaza space that surrounds the arena, and hinted that extrior expansions could take place as well, which would allow for the concessions to be moved further out, and make room for suites at that level.

I love that they added the Squatters on the main concourse and the other bar/restaurant, Eureka I think on the upper concourse. I would like to see them add something that has outdoor seating, as part of the outward expansion. During game nights it could be accessed from inside, and non event nights maybe open it to the public.

[SLC Projects]

All of ESA is dated and I welcome this major renovations if it's true. I would also welcome them redoing the whole outside/shell of ESA as well.

[Future Mayor]

An interesting article in the Tribune today about the Grainary District

Salt Lake City’s Granary District fights gentrification

Industrial aesthetic » Y-Gen wants downtown neighborhood to remain gritty, diverse and grounded in industry.



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54050072-78/granary-district-industrial-says.html.csp?page=1


It's interesting, one of the images in the article shows a container development. Maybe the proposed container project, that I most likely be removing from the list on the first page, could find a more appropriate home in the Grainary District. Provides that "gritty" look that they are wanting.

Overall I like the concept, however it's a delicate balance to create a viable neighborhood without causing major gentrification. If the market doesn't end up in the Rio Grande station I think the other proposed location south of 6th South, would work. I think it could help to bring a vibrancy to the neighborhood, while helping to maintain the "grit" especially if they repurposed an existing warehouse to use as the market.

[DCRes]

Energy Solutions bought the naming rights for 10 years, that began in what, 2006?

They call the "suites" on the upper level SkyBoxes. They basically look like the suites but they don't have their own seats, it's more like a bar with bar stools looking out the window. I think they sell them the same way as suites.

Exterior expansion could be cool. I think most of the new arena's have a lot more in the way retail and restaurants attached to the arena's. I'm thinking specifically of Dallas and Orlando. That seems to be the trend, they know people are going to eat before the game and they want you to do it on their property.

Randy Rigby consistantly says that they beleive the arena has at least 20 years of usable life left. I like the current location of the arena and i like that they are spending the money to keep it up to date.

[Comrade]

I would like to see them do what Phoenix did with US Airways Center a few years ago. Their arena was built around the time of the ESA and they updated the exterior to give it a more urban look. They completed the renovation in 2003, dropped capacity from 19,023 to 18,444 (not that I support dropping capacity, just pointing it out) and built a glassed pavilion that interacted far better with the street than the old arena:

You can see the original arena and the expansion:



I would love for the north-east corner, by the TRAX stop, to construct something similar.

[DCRes]

If they did an expansion like that it would be very important that the new and the old fit well and complemented each other. It would be a real shame if they built something cheap and it looked like one building just stuck in front of the other. But i like the idea of enclosing some of the plaza space. I don't think an outdoor veiwing area would work very well because the majority of the season is in the winter. During deap playoff runs they have set up big screens on the plaza to watch but that only works if the weather is good.

[stayinginformed]

New rendering for The Plaza at State Street. I am excited for this infill.


Paul Fraughton Salt Lake Tribune

And the back side.

Paul Fraughton Salt Lake Tribune

[SLC Projects]

Yay, finally real renderings of this development. Not just a flat 2D black and white drawing. I think this will look great on state street.

[SLC Projects]

I can't tell if the seven story building next to the 10-story building is going to be stucco or something else. I hope it's not stucco.

[DCRes]

I like it. I especially like the plaza in the back, hopefully it helps make the inner block more walkable.

[gusam26]

I think this area and these buildings are in need of some attention. I hope someone gets something going here. I've lived in SLC for only three years so I have not idea how this building looked like before. Are they any plans for these buildings?

[delts145]

These are the type of renderings I like to see. Great Project, and so impressed with the restoration of the Rex. I have been very anxious to see this development come to fruition. Now that we have this rendering, I can say that I am satisfied with the choices made on the taller north end structure. The street level engagements, color palettes, and materials will make for a refreshing break at that location on State.

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

New rendering for The Plaza at State Street. I am excited for this infill.


Paul Fraughton Salt Lake Tribune

And the back side.

Paul Fraughton Salt Lake Tribune

[scottharding]

And they've broken ground on it. 18 months to completion.

[SLCdude]

If it were up to me, I'd add some ornamentation to the 10-story building, because it is very plain-looking. It looks like a giant brick made of bricks . I like the development as a whole though, especially the public space and re-use of existing buildings.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by SLCdude

If it were up to me, I'd add some ornamentation to the 10-story building, because it is very plain-looking. It looks like a giant brick made of bricks . I like the development as a whole though, especially the public space and re-use of existing buildings.

I completely agree. The design of the 10 story building is lacking. I do admit that it looks better in the rendering, but it lacks a lot of desired articulation. I am really liking the plaza behind the development, though. Nice space. I hope they do something on State Street to soften that street and be more inviting for pedestrians to cross. I think a nicely landscaped median there would be perfect!

[scottharding]

I'm with you on the median, Orlando. In fact, every time I'm on State street I find myself wishing there were landscaped medians all the way down to 21st South, or at least down to 9th south. It would help State so much.
And I've got to add that I love the water tower being maintained on the building.

[Orlando]

Work under way on new downtown SLC apartments
The Enterprise 1 month ago | 6 views | 0 | 1 | |
slideshow Construction is under way at the Lotus Apartments, a contemporary 84-unit apartment complex to be located at 338 E. South Temple in Salt Lake City. Developed by Lotus Equities, the facility will be comprised of four-and-a-half levels of one and two bedroom units above a two story parking structure. Designed by architect Eric Tuttle of Tuttle and Associates, the project will feature an outdoor pool, a roof plaza equipped with outdoor seating and barbecues and four stories of landscaped walls. Each unit will offer a garden tub with granite surround, and granite countertops in kitchens and baths Kier Construction is serving as general contractor. Completion is scheduled for May of 2013.