Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[delts145]

I am amazed at how much of the original window glass itself was left intact. It looks like they'll have to duplicate
and replace much of the original masonary.

Originally Posted by ajiuO

[scottharding]

That already looks better than it did before.

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

It doesn't really matter what the city is planning... They are not paying to build this hotel nor will they be operating it.. When an actually developer and hotel operator comes in to do the job. They are going to look at all the options... They will not be able to simply dismiss the plaza hotel block because some city planning commission who knows nothing about operating a hotel on this scale didn't suggest it... It is highly likely that a hotel operator/developer will have discussions with the church.... Will they amount to anything.. Who knows... But that is a really good spot, in a really good area, with really good views, and connivance of transportation and proximity to the salt palace..

I also wouldn't think for a second that ripping half a block down along west temple is out of the question... I don't want it to happen... But in the end money talks

It actually is entirely up to the city and county where the hotel gets built and to finance a portion of it. Hence, the expensive study that was payed for and the selection of potential locations. This is not a private venture. That's entirely why this discussion exists. The city will have absolute say on where its built.

[delts145]

Originally Posted by scottharding

That already looks better than it did before.

I couldn't agree more. Almost anything would be better.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by delts145

I am amazed at how much of the original window glass itself was left intact. It looks like they'll have to duplicate
and replace much of the original masonary.

The stone is all gone

[delts145]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

The stone is all gone

How unbelieveable that removing the beautiful stonework for an exchange of what replaced it was ever the fashion. Hopefully, we'll never go through that kind of fickled trend again.

[gusam26]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

It doesn't really matter what the city is planning... They are not paying to build this hotel nor will they be operating it.. When an actually developer and hotel operator comes in to do the job.

uhhhh yah, its all up to the city to decide where it is build.

[SLC Projects]

Wow, 100 South is going to look awesome in a few years.

1. Cascade
2. 111 South Main
3. Tower 8
4. 101 Tower. ( Not a tower )

[TheHeights22]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Wow, 100 South is going to look awesome in a few years.

1. Cascade
2. 111 South Main
3. Tower 8
4. 101 Tower. ( Not a tower )

So are these three towers on 100 south a definite thing or are they all 'proposed' and still have a chance of not getting built?

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by TheHeights22

So are these three towers on 100 south a definite thing or are they all 'proposed' and still have a chance of not getting built?

111 South Main by 2016 ( Hopefully )
101 Tower by 2014
Tower 8 sometime after 111 South Main
Casade anytime, just a matter of condo demand.

All seem to be for sure, not if, but when.

[Orlando]

I have to say that I have been thoroughly amused by all the finalist entries. The way they are presented graphically are comical and wow! But, once you sift through their graphic weirdness, most of them have some very interesting ideas. A lot of them propose severely limiting auto access. Anyways, here are a few of the finalist entries for your amusement:

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by gusam26

uhhhh yah, its all up to the city to decide where it is build.

Well.. Yes.. But not really.. If a hotel operator/developer comes in and says they would like to build it on the Plaza Hotel site and purposes a deal that the LDS church agrees with... The city isn't going to say no. They could say no but that would be a dreadfully stupid decision..

And sure the city can say they want a hotel at RWP.. That doesn't mean anyone will want to build it there...

[Future Mayor]

Again, the issue is, no private developer is stepping up to the plate to build a CCH, thus if a CCH does get built it is going to require some sort of public subsidy, for the convention space and parking portion. Meaning the City and/or County will ultimately have a say.

While for some reason you are all excited about the Plaza location, the LDS Church does have a master plan for that block and the block to the west, and I'm not sure selling nearly half of a block for a convention hotel is part of said plan.

If the county says, "Hey, we are going to pitch in this much money (in some sort of subsidy) and we'll do so if you build it on the RWP site" Guess what, the developer is going to take that offer 10 out of 10 times.

[Scraperdude801]

I thought a couple developers had expressed interest, but they asked the city/ county for funds for parking/ convention space. I think the city has a lot of influence as to where it will get built, but ultimately the devloper determines if. If the developer were to really push for the plaza site, I could see it happening. I think the site is much better than RWP, but, I think RWP is more likely, but far from certain.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

Again, the issue is, no private developer is stepping up to the plate to build a CCH, thus if a CCH does get built it is going to require some sort of public subsidy, for the convention space and parking portion. Meaning the City and/or County will ultimately have a say.

While for some reason you are all excited about the Plaza location, the LDS Church does have a master plan for that block and the block to the west, and I'm not sure selling nearly half of a block for a convention hotel is part of said plan.

If the county says, "Hey, we are going to pitch in this much money (in some sort of subsidy) and we'll do so if you build it on the RWP site" Guess what, the developer is going to take that offer 10 out of 10 times.

Makid stated in a previous post that they had two developers wanting to build a 1,000 room convention hotel. But, I guess that you are saying that not private developer has stepped up to cover all the costs by themselves.

[Comrade]

I'm not sure why there is a push for the Plaza location. I think having it at the southern-end of the Salt Palace would be infinitely better than building in an already established area of downtown. We need to spur development along 200 S. and I couldn't think of a bigger catalyst right now than a convention center hotel.

That's just my view, tho.

[Scraperdude801]

I personally am affraid of the design if it is to be built on the RWP site, that it may not greet the street, and that it would just be a building to one day be surrounded by future expansion of the Salt Palace. I think that the Plaza site would demand more of a dynamic street engagement from the developer, because the site is adjacent to Temple Square, CCC, Trax, and ABrv Hall. Furthermore, that area of South Tempe is in desparate need of love and sidewalk engagement. I know that the LDS Church has masterplans for the two blocks, expansion of LDS BUsiness College, SLC BYU, etc., but how long must that area remain an urban wasteland? Such a pedestrian blackhole next to downtown's biggest attractions seems criminal!

[CountyLemonade]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I think that the Plaza site would demand more of a dynamic street engagement from the developer, because the site is adjacent to Temple Square, CCC, Trax, and ABrv Hall. Furthermore, that area of South Tempe is in desparate need of love and sidewalk engagement. I know that the LDS Church has masterplans for the two blocks, expansion of LDS BUsiness College, SLC BYU, etc., but how long must that area remain an urban wasteland? Such a pedestrian blackhole next to downtown's biggest attractions seems criminal!

I was actually thinking about this today while walking down South Temple at around 10th East. Of course, South Temple along that stretch is an absolutely beautiful street. You can walk from Virginia Street all the way to 4th West and have almost a continuous stretch of really great scenery around you (whether it be downtown skyscrapers or stately mansions)... Except the portion of street between West Temple and 3rd West. Vast parking lots, perpetual construction sites (old Greyhound terminal, anyone?), and aging hotels with limited street engagement.

Then again, 200 South between West Temple and 3rd West is also in need of some serious attention. The question is whether South Temple or 200 South is the priority.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I personally am affraid of the design if it is to be built on the RWP site, that it may not greet the street, and that it would just be a building to one day be surrounded by future expansion of the Salt Palace. I think that the Plaza site would demand more of a dynamic street engagement from the developer, because the site is adjacent to Temple Square, CCC, Trax, and ABrv Hall. Furthermore, that area of South Tempe is in desparate need of love and sidewalk engagement. I know that the LDS Church has masterplans for the two blocks, expansion of LDS BUsiness College, SLC BYU, etc., but how long must that area remain an urban wasteland? Such a pedestrian blackhole next to downtown's biggest attractions seems criminal!

All good points, but you're also overstating the need for development on that area of South Temple and understating the need for development around West Temple and 200 South. It's not comparable - especially with the opening of City Creek. 200 South, as already pointed out in this thread, is rundown and vacant and ugly - far worse than South Temple between Main and 300 West.

It's not just that there isn't any development on 200 South, it's that the development there is underutilized, and worse, west of 200 West, down right trashy.

That area needs something BIG to get things going. You can't say the same for South Temple. Just because there is parking in that area, and a rather average hotel, does not mean there isn't already a huge leg up in potential. It's right next to Temple Square, which is the largest attraction downtown, you've got City Creek now open, and, as you mentioned, Abravanel Hall - there is enough options to build on. That isn't the case for 200 South. What does it offer anyone? The Salt Palace ... and? There's a cluster of historical buildings - but they're not the driving force.

A hotel there would automatically put tourists in the area and if it's done right, could develop into the center of the area - especially once the trolley line opens. And even if it doesn't radically change the area, it'll at least bring something nice to it - and that isn't needed on South Temple.

The fact is, the Royal Wood Plaza is ugly and has no street presence. A hotel there would, IMO, dramatically change the look of the area and would have more impact on that part of downtown than it could on South Temple - since that area is already high-traffic zone as is with Temple Square.

[SLC Projects]

Ok I'm now sold on the RWP site. A lot of good points.