Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by Orlando

It's enouraging that someone is taking action. However, this is all band-aid legislation. The problem is much deeper than making mass transit cheaper. It's anti-sprawl legislation that has got to happen. It has got to be laws and incentives that create a change in the lifestyle of the typical Utahn. We can't continue to sprawl out like this with an ever increasing propulation, and expect the pollution and other problems to ease up!!

couldn't agree more! Additionally, I think that more needs to be done to clean up Rio Tinto, Chevron, and the like. I know that those companies employ a lot of people, but does their economic impact really compare to our tourist industry? To me, it seems like their presence, specifically the negative effect hey have on our ecosystem, is more detrimental to our ever expanding tourist industry. We might be approaching a crossroads. Are we going to be the new rust-belt, but with half the industry and production, or are we going to be the outdoorsmen's paradise and home to world renowned festivals like Sundance?

I think the solutions need to be:

1. Educate the public about the correlation of sprawl and air pollution, then pass legislation that makes it harder for more suburban communities to pop up, e.g., something in the vein of Porland's Urban Growth Boundary.

2. Do some real, big picture, cause and effect analysis of the economic impact of heavy industry. Don't just say so and so creates X amount of jobs, and without them we'd increase unemployment, but study the variables --how much job creation do they really do? How does their pollutions harm other industries? Are they even worth it in the big picture? Are there better ways of doing things? Then act in accordance with the findings.

3. Fix our transit/pedestrian systems, make them work together. Right now, few of the buses arrival and departure times are synced with corresponding routes and train service. I ride UTA from time to time, but would definitely do it a lot more if I didn't have to wait an additional 15 minutes for Traxx to come after my bus dropped me off. The unsynced schedule makes a trip that takes 10 minutes by taxi, take almost an hour via transit: unacceptable.
Also, as has been said before, something needs to be done about mid-block crossing, or even at the intersection crossing. Our streets are so wide that crossing them can be perilous when motorists aren't paying attention. A solution to this problem could be mid block pedestrian bridges on busy roads like 400 S, 1300 S, 2100 s, 700 E, State St, West Temple, and 2-500 West.

Just my 2 cents.

[Sight-Seer]

You'd think people would learn from the past. The old Crossroads Mall had blank walls at street level and people got sick of it and it was finally demolished. Now the Courthouse Cube has blank walls on all sides. There are some differences. The Cube is way back from the street and there isn't likely to be a lot of pedestrians walking by. It has a unified theme that is quite striking. Plus they've used different types of glass that will mostly show up at night. I like it and hate it at the same time. Is that possible? But I've yet to see the finished product. I think the logical conclusion of the theme would be unbroken concrete surrounding it. That would be pretty cool.

[UtahProjects]

Originally the Federal Courthouse design was less open, but they supposedly changed it to this



If they stick to that it should look pretty decent when all the landscaping / ground level work is done.


Regarding the Public Safety Complex, you can see the canopy-thing in the rendering:



They could have done without that.

[Twothirty8]

Originally Posted by Orlando

I've thought the same thing regarding the design, too. I think it will look nicer when all said and done, but it makes me a little nervous. It does look too boring. And, what are those things that pop out on top??

Btw, thanks John Martin for the pics.

Compared to the Hilton hotel, where you can see both of them together, it's a jewel, and I actually like the look of the new Courthouse. In my mind it goes by the name of The Cube. I think it would be cool if, at night, it was completely lit up, kind of like a glowing cube. But that wouldn't be too energy efficient, unless the building runs off of it's own solar power source, etc.

Nice pics though!

[DCRes]

Thanks for the pics, John Martin! I especially like the ones of the courthouse with the Grand America in the background. Were you on top of the dreaded Shilo Inn?

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

3. Fix our transit/pedestrian systems, make them work together. Right now, few of the buses arrival and departure times are synced with corresponding routes and train service. I ride UTA from time to time, but would definitely do it a lot more if I didn't have to wait an additional 15 minutes for Traxx to come after my bus dropped me off. The unsynced schedule makes a trip that takes 10 minutes by taxi, take almost an hour via transit: unacceptable.

I dispute the notion that few bus routes are synced with train schedules. Rather, the vast majority are (in my experience). UTA would sync schedules better between buses and trains, but there's a lot more that goes into crafting a bus schedule than you think.

And folks, convenience is a sacrifice we're going to have to be making more and more if you're serious about our state making a "cultural change." There are obviously times when it would be an extreme inconvenience or impossibility to take transit certain places, but odds are that's not going to be the case the majority of the time.

[DMTower]

^^^ I think part of the solution is to stop widening and creating new arterial streets in already developed parts of the valley. In order for mass transit to become the most in-demand option it needs to become more convenient than driving a car. As the valley densifies and traffic congestion goes up, more people will appreciate and use mass transit.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

...



I like what they plan to do to the eastern side of the building. I never did like those office windows.

Great news on this Westgate project. I too have always hated that tacky window treatment on what would otherwise be a very handsome building.

Thanks as always for the outstanding pics John Martin. It's very encouraging to have you back in action with the camera. You are a major asset to this forum.

Guys, I wouldn't worry too much about the entry portion of the new Public Safety Building. I thought to myself, we've all seen many renderings of the Project. Not once has anyone complained about the renderings, it has always been nothing but excitement and praise. Well, I thought did they pull a bait and switch on us or what? After looking at numerous renderings of the completed entry from every angle, the front, side, 45 degree, and even the top, I am convinced the finished product will be outstanding. Perhaps, it won't be everyones cup of tea, but IMO the majority will find the entry stunning, inventive, exciting, and the kind of interesting that grabs and pulls you in.

[Twothirty8]

Is anyone going to this "Nation’s top planners to descend on Salt Lake City". I would love to hear what happens. Pretty cool that SLC was chosen to host the event. Maybe our government and planning leaders will be so inspired that they will hurry up with more projects.

here's the link - http://bit.ly/Y9YB7g

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by UtahProjects

Regarding the Public Safety Complex, you can see the canopy-thing in the rendering:



They could have done without that.

Actually no they couldn't have done without that. The canopy is part of the solar array that makes the building net zero on it's energy consumption.

Like Delts said, we have all looked at things prior to completion and haven't like them. However I think once the completed canopy and the landscaping are all complete that the new Public Safety building is going to be outstanding.

[farmerboy]

Originally Posted by Twothirty8

Compared to the Hilton hotel, where you can see both of them together, it's a jewel, and I actually like the look of the new Courthouse. In my mind it goes by the name of The Cube. I think it would be cool if, at night, it was completely lit up, kind of like a glowing cube. But that wouldn't be too energy efficient, unless the building runs off of it's own solar power source, etc.

Nice pics though!

I don't think beating out the Hilton in terms of design is an accomplishment.

[UTPlanner]

I like the canopy in front of the Public Safety Building. I especially like that it will be covered in solar power cells which will help the building to meet its lofty goals with regard to being sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Just FYI-- the two new restaurants in the lobby of 222 S. Main St. have submitted plans for building permits. Hopefully we will see construction soon.

[UtahProjects]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

Actually no they couldn't have done without that. The canopy is part of the solar array that makes the building net zero on it's energy consumption.

That was the only possible way to do that?

Doesn't look horrible in the renderings.

[scottharding]

Some interesting info on the UPAC, including when we'll see designs, and when they intend to break ground (Jan '14)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55818723-78/cda-million-property-council.html.csp

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by scottharding

Some interesting info on the UPAC, including when we'll see designs, and when they intend to break ground (Jan '14)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55818723-78/cda-million-property-council.html.csp

🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 we still have to wait a year before the ground breaking. But glad to hear that the tower is well into it's planning stage and that we could see the designs in a month or two. I really hope the PAC and tower gets built at the same time.

[farmerboy]

Cool info on the Liberty Heights Fresh Project.
http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Planning%20Commission/2013/00610.pdf

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by farmerboy

Cool info on the Liberty Heights Fresh Project.
http://www.slcdocs.com/Planning/Planning%20Commission/2013/00610.pdf

I don't know ... I kinda like the current building. It seems to fit the neighborhood better.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by UtahProjects

That was the only possible way to do that?

Doesn't look horrible in the renderings.

You're right, it doesn't look horrible in the rendering, but unlike the rendering it's not finished. The canopy hasn't been added, the structure hasn't been painted and the landscaping hasn't been put in.

Originally Posted by scottharding

Some interesting info on the UPAC, including when we'll see designs, and when they intend to break ground (Jan '14)

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55818723-78/cda-million-property-council.html.csp

I read the first 4 or 5 comments after the article and WOW, people are idiots, sometimes I wonder if they even read the article. People were bitching that it's going to cost the tax payers more money, that it will be about $200 per person in the state and taxes are going to be raised. SERIOUSLY a bunch of IDIOTS.

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

I don't know ... I kinda like the current building. It seems to fit the neighborhood better.

I like the new version, I think it fits in well with 1100 E, and I like that it is coming up to the sidewalk, combined with the Finca building across the street, it will help to make that corner a bit more Urban.

[Comrade]

I really don't think it makes the neighborhood more urban.

[farmerboy]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

I don't know ... I kinda like the current building. It seems to fit the neighborhood better.

I don't love the style of the new design, but I do love it from an urban design standpoint. It interacts well with the street, and the housing element will be great. Additionally the interior will be much larger than the current setup. I would imagine the feel of the new store will end up being something more like Caputos.

I will miss the old structure though, it's so cute.