Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[chad.farnes]

Originally Posted by SLCdude

As of yesterday, Salt Lake City holds the Guinness World Record for most people in underwear in one place. After the Utah Undie Run yesterday, 3,316 half-naked people, myself included, gathered at Library Plaza for an official Guinness count!

When they broke the record last year, I used it as a trivia point for a friend. I asked her if she knew which city held the record for the most people in underwear at one time. She said that its gotta be Salt Lake, because anywhere else they would be naked.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

Not connecting the street car to the intermodal hub would be an absolute waste. Why have it if it's not going to connect?

Its that tough to walk through the rio grand and 1 block down the street???

I think the street car is pretty useless as is. There are Trax stations on 200S, 400S, South Temple & main... It's over kill.

I went and looked at the rio grand. I don't like the prospect of the modifications that would have to be done to the building.... I'm all for ripping down or modifying crappy buildings.. The rio grand is one that should be preserved..

[chad.farnes]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I wonder if they will do anything with the building to the north of the grayhound building.. It looks similar to the greyhound building.... Although very unattractive and dilapidated... Not sure what you could do with it.. But I'm sure it's one of those things that can't be ripped down for some strange reason.

I once heard that UTA wanted to tear it down (although I couldn't find any info on it). However some groups, like the Utah Heritage Foundation, were trying to get it restored (although I heard that they weren't particularly happy with the restoration of the greyhound building, because it wasn't a very accurate historical restoration. However, once again, I can't find any source for this so it is pretty much just hearsay). Speaking of that, when I was trying to find a source on the greyhound, I found a interesting article from 2008 that sounds like Salt Lake was trying to buy the old warehouse west of the central station from UTA--- the one they want to demolish and turn into their new bus operations facility--- and turn that into the farmers market (you can read the article here:http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9343003). What ever happened to that plan?

Originally Posted by farmerboy

Got it, I don't think I would be vehemently opposed to this option, but if I had my preference I would say use existing track. I do however love that they're including the idea of trax running up 4th south to the U from the Hub. Additionally I would think the Granary spur of the streetcar could use this track until 4th West before heading to the 9th south station.

I hate the street car going through the Rio Grande building, but I love the rest of the plan. I really like the idea of the street car going up fourth west, hitting the central station, and then jogging along 2nd south through downtown (so North on 4th west from the Granery District, West on 4th south, it hits the central station, and then either going down the festival street or continuing up 6th west to 2nd south.) From that point, it could continue into downtown on 2nd south and be part of the downtown trolley car. What I would really love see happen is this Granary Line/downtown trolley connect to the Sugar House line. The Sugar House line would continue on the main tracks north once it hit Central Point (I know, 4 cars on the same line. Yes its a lot, but may be it could work). Just after the ball park station (13th South), there is a empty rail line that jumps off to the west and eventually lands on 400 W. i think UTA may actually own part of this section, because there are some TRAX poles going partially down that corridor directly north of Ball Park (I don't know if they own the whole thing. It might just be a place where they stash TRAX cars if they need extra ones for something, but I've never actually seen it be used). Once it hit 4th West (about 900 S) it would become the granary line/downtown trolley line that I mentioned earlier. This would also help out the sugar house line because it wouldn't dead end at Central Point, and you would actually be able to get somewhere on it (without transferring. And yes, I know that transferring isn't a big deal, but I try to avoid it if at all possible).

[Makid]

I think the street car is pretty useless as is. There are Trax stations on 200S, 400S, South Temple & main... It's over kill.

The long range plan for transportation within downtown SLC is that there will be rail within 1 to 2 blocks at most.

For example: the 2nd South Street Car line would split the difference between South Temple and the 4th South extension. Some areas along the line would be 1 block away (2nd South Trax, 3rd South Street Car, 4th South Trax).

There are also plans for other North/South Street Car lines, such as the line to Centerville.

Then there is the future planned southern Trax extension north from approximately 7th South along 4th West to connect to both the planned 4th South extension and the current line at 2nd South. Albeit this extension is even further out in the long range forecast than the 4th South extension.

There are many lines planned for the future and as density increases downtown, we will begin to hear more about them. This will further encourage developers to increase density while further reducing parking requirements. This also will help make the city more walkable over a larger area.

I am glad that they are planning for it now rather than reacting after the need has already arisen.

[Stenar]

The city was discussing putting the farmers market in that building north of the bus station, but UTA plans to tear it down.

Originally Posted by chad.farnes

I once heard that UTA wanted to tear it down (although I couldn't find any info on it). However some groups, like the Utah Heritage Foundation, were trying to get it restored (although I heard that they weren't particularly happy with the restoration of the greyhound building, because it wasn't a very accurate historical restoration. However, once again, I can't find any source for this so it is pretty much just hearsay). Speaking of that, when I was trying to find a source on the greyhound, I found a interesting article from 2008 that sounds like Salt Lake was trying to buy the old warehouse west of the central station from UTA--- the one they want to demolish and turn into their new bus operations facility--- and turn that into the farmers market (you can read the article here:http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_9343003). What ever happened to that plan?



I hate the street car going through the Rio Grande building, but I love the rest of the plan. I really like the idea of the street car going up fourth west, hitting the central station, and then jogging along 2nd south through downtown (so North on 4th west from the Granery District, West on 4th south, it hits the central station, and then either going down the festival street or continuing up 6th west to 2nd south.) From that point, it could continue into downtown on 2nd south and be part of the downtown trolley car. What I would really love see happen is this Granary Line/downtown trolley connect to the Sugar House line. The Sugar House line would continue on the main tracks north once it hit Central Point (I know, 4 cars on the same line. Yes its a lot, but may be it could work). Just after the ball park station (13th South), there is a empty rail line that jumps off to the west and eventually lands on 400 W. i think UTA may actually own part of this section, because there are some TRAX poles going partially down that corridor directly north of Ball Park (I don't know if they own the whole thing. It might just be a place where they stash TRAX cars if they need extra ones for something, but I've never actually seen it be used). Once it hit 4th West (about 900 S) it would become the granary line/downtown trolley line that I mentioned earlier. This would also help out the sugar house line because it wouldn't dead end at Central Point, and you would actually be able to get somewhere on it (without transferring. And yes, I know that transferring isn't a big deal, but I try to avoid it if at all possible).

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by Stenar

The city was discussing putting the farmers market in that building north of the bus station, but UTA plans to tear it down.

Do you know what that building and the gray hound station were originaly?

[UTPlanner]

I think the RDA's plan for the Hub area is very well thought out and could really transform that area of the city from a place that few people want to be to an area that draws people from all over the region. I especially like the efforts to retain some of the historic structures in the area as many do not remain. I also think the connectivity throughout the blocks and into adjacent blocks has been designed well and is essential to this area reaching its full development potential.

I have to admit that I think that the downtown streetcar is a worthwhile project at some point in the future I do not think that it should occur now. I think that a 400 South extension, the 400 West streetcar, 900 South streetcar or even an extension of the Sugar House streetcar should occur first. Lets take transit to neighborhoods that currently don't have that amenity. There are only so many transit dollars available and I would rather see the money spent on projects that really expands the transit network rather than creating transit infill at this point.

I take TRAX downtown all the time, at almost no area are you more than two blocks from the TRAX line. The downtown streetcar is a huge priority for Mayor Becker but I can tell you that many of his employees in Planning, RDA and Transportation do not agree with him on this one.

[Old&New]

I would cut Pierpont all the way through to the intermodal hub and send the streetcar down that, then have the street car jog up to 200 South on either 400 West, 200 West, or West Temple. Now try to follow this: I'd then send the streetcar east on 200 South all the way to 600 East, then send it south on 600 East down to 900 South, then send it east on 900 South over to 1100 East, then send it south on 1100 East till it meets up with the sugar house line.

[DMTower]

^^^ picture?

[Lilljemalm]

Originally Posted by Old&New

I would cut Pierpont all the way through to the intermodal hub and send the streetcar down that, then have the street car jog up to 200 South on either 400 West, 200 West, or West Temple. Now try to follow this: I'd then send the streetcar east on 200 South all the way to 600 East, then send it south on 600 East down to 900 South, then send it east on 900 South over to 1100 East, then send it south on 1100 East till it meets up with the sugar house line.

Here's another idea -- build the street car up 200 S (or the alignment you mentioned above) to 700 E, then down 700 E to Sugar House, then along Van Winkle to Highland Drive then south on Highland drive to Fort Union Blvd. That'll connect a suburb into the central core.

[Old&New]

Outer-ring suburbs should be connected by Light-rail, not streetcars.

Originally Posted by DMTower

^^^ picture?

[SLCdude]

Originally Posted by Old&New

Exactly how I'd build it

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

Its that tough to walk through the rio grand and 1 block down the street???

Not for those that know it's there, but for those that don't know it's there they won't use it. What about during hours when Rio Grande isn't open, does walking around the station to either the north or south make a lot of sense logistically? No, people won't use it if it's not convient. Connecting it to Central Station is critical to making it a viable and well used form of transportation.

It's like asking the question, well couldn't trax just come within a block of FrontRunner, and be blocked from site by a building? It's really not that difficult to walk a block.

[Lilljemalm]

This is an interesting read about the history of commuter rail/light rail/trolleys in SLC

http://utahrails.net/articles/uebr_37-9.php

[DCRes]

This new restaurant/bar in the Perry Hotel looks pretty cool

http://squeezeboxrestaurants.com/

[jedikermit]

Last fall there was a free film series at the Salt Lake City Main Library called "Design Matters" -- it's back this year, and the focus again is on architecture, design, and urban planning. First screening is next Tuesday September 18. Check it all out: http://www.utahheritagefoundation.org/tours-and-events/designmatters

[scottharding]

Thanks for the heads up JediKermit, I'm there.

[jedikermit]

I don't think I'll make the one next Tuesday, but the ones after that are doable.

[jedikermit]

This is last minute, so I don't know if anyone who cares can make it, but I just saw this on Facebook:


Community Workshop
The {New} Performing Arts Center Community Workshop
Thursday, September 13, 2012
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Salt Lake City Public Library
210 East 400 South, Salt Lake City, 4th floor conference room

Salt Lake City will host a community workshop to provide input on the vision and elements for the {new} performing arts center and Downtown Salt Lake City's nearby cultural core area.

Please consider using public transportation.
Paid parking available in the Salt Lake City Public Library parking garage.

Seating is limited.



Sign Up for the Workshop at the link below:

http://www.utahperformingartscenter.org/workshops

[Old&New]

I tweaked it a bit: