Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3 - Page 238

jedikermit · #**4741** Posted **Aug 1, 2013, 9:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stenar

Outdoor gear show outgrowing Salt Lake City
Associated Press

"The lack of a signature hotel in Salt Lake City remains a sticking point for organizers of large conventions. County officials and convention boosters said they were close to putting together a deal for a 1,000-room hotel, but that developers need a tax incentive from the Utah Legislature.

Republican lawmakers refused to subsidize a hotel just months ago, but boosters will push again at the 2014 legislative session that starts in January.

A mid-sized market like Salt Lake City can't draw an amenity-rich convention hotel without some government help, likely in the form of a sales-tax rebate, said Scott Beck, president and chief executive of the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Landowners at four downtown sites are willing to partner with hotel developers, Beck said."

www.heraldextra.com

I'm still optimistic; we keep hearing it's THE top priority for a lot of the county and city people. I'd hate to lose the Outdoor Retailers because of shortsightedness at the state level. Something's gotta be done.

Makid · #**4742** Posted **Aug 1, 2013, 9:36 PM**

This is a top priority for a lot of people and groups:

SL County, SL City, Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Boards and a few other groups.

It is important to them for more than just keeping Outdoor Retailer. They would like to get some of those other conventions that want to come here but don't for lack of the Convention Hotel.

If Salt Lake got even 30% of those conventions that have said they want to come here but won't until we have the Convention Hotel, we would be looking at roughly 5 more conventions similar in size to Outdoor Retailer summer and 3 or 4 about 75% as large spread throughout the year.

That would be close to another $250M visitor spending in the Salt Lake area each year.

I do know that there are multiple people working on this from multiple angles and like I have said before, there are multiple options available if the State doesn't want to chip in.

Future Mayor · #**4743** Posted **Aug 1, 2013, 9:45 PM**

As I drove through downtown today I noticed a couple of things.

The first regarding the OR convention and our discussion regarding the hotel. While we all know how many people and how many dollars the convention brings to town, it's so much more obvious when you submerse yourself right in the middle of things. It is amazing the sheer number of people that are walking around downtown, at 3:00 in the afternoon, hundreds more than a typical 3:00. I really wish that those hotels owners who are opposed to tax incentive being used for a 1,000 room convention hotel could really get past their initial and short sighted fears. Yes they may lose out on some room night for the conventions that are already coming here, and they may not get much of the business for a smaller convention that may only utilize the convention hotel. However if even 2 or 3 or those 5 large conventions mentioned above, in addition to those already on the calender, the demand for hotel rooms during those conventions will more than make up for the loss of room night that the CCH will take during existing conventions. Resulting in an increase in overall room occupancy. Here's a nugget for those State leaders that are worried about increased air pollution. Providing a tax incentive for a 1,000 room convention hotel, will eliminate the need for some of the hotel rooms being occupied in Utah, David, Weber and Tooele counties for conventions like OR, resulting in less emissions from buses and taxis having to drive all those people in from such a long distances. So not only is it financially responsible to provide tax incentives, it's also environmentally responsible to do so.

The second thing I wanted to point out from my drive today is that the construction sidewalk an a crane are in place at the Capital Theater expansion project.

The third is not a good thing. The crane was in the down position at 3:00 on the LaPorte group State St project.

Orlando · #**4744** Posted **Aug 1, 2013, 10:24 PM**

What is up with the LaPorte development? The RDA must have picked the cheapest contractor and the one with the least amount of experience.

scottharding · #**4745** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 3:30 AM**

Yeah, I really think with the Convention Center Hotel, its a scenario of a rising tide raises all the boats. But it's no secret that Utah has some really short-sighted politicians, and I say that with as much restraint as possible.

As to the La Porte development on State Street, I check it nearly everyday. They do work on it everyday. They must start early, because they're always there working in the morning when I spy on them, but they're always gone and done by about 5 pm. It really is the slowest construction I've ever seen.

SLC Projects · #**4746** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 6:46 AM**

Why SLC doesn't have a new convention hotel?
You can thank our state legislators.
ABC4.com

http://www.cw30.com/content/news/top_sto...ention-hotel/wWKVpaQZP0OOeRAM0_4USw.cspx

"Senate Bill 267 would have created a convention hotel, but it failed in the House by three votes. It was sponsored by Senator J. Stuart Adams and Representative Brad Wilson."

Three votes!

slc801 · #**4747** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottharding

As to the La Porte development on State Street, I check it nearly everyday. They do work on it everyday. They must start early, because they're always there working in the morning when I spy on them, but they're always gone and done by about 5 pm. It really is the slowest construction I've ever seen.

The crane is back up today. It seems like its not totally stalled, just creeping by at a snails pace.

ToysNoiz · #**4748** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 8:06 PM**

Sigh...why can't we just get a hotel??!! Why are we so short sighted?

stayinginformed · #**4749** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 8:12 PM**

Maybe if Tom Dolan asks for a convention hotel we will get one . . . next to South Towne Expo Center. Hahaha.

jedikermit · #**4750** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 8:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Maybe if Tom Dolan asks for a convention hotel we will get one . . . next to South Towne Expo Center. Hahaha.

I was going to say that same thing...my stomach turned when I tried to type it though.

Hey, the Salt Lake City Comic Con is moving from South Towne Expo up to the Salt Palace in September...WE GOT ONE BACK!!! Go Geek Power!!

Sigh.

SLC Projects · #**4751** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 8:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Maybe if Tom Dolan asks for a convention hotel we will get one . . . next to South Towne Expo Center. Hahaha.

Rio Tinto Stadium Check
Hale Center theater Check

I'm Ton Dolan and I approve this message.

jedikermit · #**4752** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 8:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Rio Tinto Stadium Check
Hale Center theater Check

I'm Ton Dolan and I approve this message.

Needs more moustache. But not like, a Dan Snarr amount.

scottharding · #**4753** Posted **Aug 2, 2013, 9:49 PM**

Anyone see the article in the Trib this week about how Tom Dolan is the highest paid mayor in Utah? 🞵🞵🞵 is up with that? The guy is a complete 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵, and has been shown to be corrupt. And why would Sandy be the highest paid mayor? If it's because Sandy is a 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 mess that no one wants to try to clean up, I guess I get it, but still, this guy has helped make the mess. He doesn't deserve it.
End Rant.

Future Mayor · #**4754** Posted **Aug 3, 2013, 4:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Why SLC doesn't have a new convention hotel?
You can thank our state legislators.
ABC4.com

http://www.cw30.com/content/news/top_sto...ention-hotel/wWKVpaQZP0OOeRAM0_4USw.cspx

"Senate Bill 267 would have created a convention hotel, but it failed in the House by three votes. It was sponsored by Senator J. Stuart Adams and Representative Brad Wilson."

Three votes!

OI, that was a tough article to read, no because of the subject matter but because of the horrible editing, rather lack of editing.

Just a reminder, the initial talks of the convention hotel didn't include help from the state, this bill was an attempt to get the state involved and it didn't work. What I'm saying is what I've said before, the deal isn't dead, the county and city are still working on the issue the way they always have been.

It's so frustrating that those in the legislature that are opposed to it don't understand that it is not tax payer money, it is a percentage of the increase in taxes that the hotel will generate. IDIOTS!

ToysNoiz · #**4755** Posted **Aug 4, 2013, 4:56 AM**

Agreed, Future Mayor. There is still hope in seeing a hotel in the near future. But govrnment support would have been great push forward. I am in a deep, passionate fustration with the recent developments downtown. From small stucco style hotels taking up space, to the total lack of a convention center hotel forcing events to go elsewhere. And the fact that this bill was turned down just adds to it.

But....I am still optimistic about Air and UPAC & 111 S Main.

SLC Projects · #**4756** Posted **Aug 4, 2013, 5:36 AM**

101 is now up to six levels. One more to go. That went up fast, unlike the project on State Street that is still just a hole and they broke ground a year sooner.