Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[ajiuO]

We need to build a series of above ground private property tunnels linking various attractions such as the salt palace, gateway, and other various places along Main and such.. Then we can walk around town via the tunnels and drink beer

[Future Mayor]

Good plan, and kill off any street vibrancy that we have.

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by Stenar

Actually, my biggest complaint about the new Ronald McDonald house is that it is NOT very traditionally safe, in that it messes up proportions of traditional architecture, which makes it look terrible and not very "safe" traditionally. While I'm not a big fan of using traditional building forms today, I would like it a LOT more if it had stuck to traditional building norms, instead of becoming a Frankenstein creature.

It seems like it comes from the West-Jordan-City-Hall School of Terrible Design:

[ToysNoiz]

Come on architects.

A new, modern looking school.



Not a new, modern looking school.



Yes, this is a new school.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by farmerboy

I guess I'm just not understanding what you guys are upset with. What proportions of traditional architecture are being messed up? It looks pretty traditional to me.

One thing I love about this structure is how they took into account it being the terminus of 900 East. It's wonderful seeing attention being paid to Urban Context in this day and age.

I'm going to hate driving up 900 E and having to see that monstrosity every time. Put some good architecture at the top of a street that you have to see all the time.

[John Martin]

[John Martin]

Yeah, the rendering looks like it came out of Sandy circa 1990, but there are lots of mediocre office buildings on South Temple... they're just obscured by trees. Here's hoping

[delts145]

Originally Posted by farmerboy

I guess I'm just not understanding what you guys are upset with. What proportions of traditional architecture are being messed up? It looks pretty traditional to me.

One thing I love about this structure is how they took into account it being the terminus of 900 East. It's wonderful seeing attention being paid to Urban Context in this day and age.

http://img.ksl.com

At this point of construction I tend to agree with you farmerboy. The rendering we have isn't the finest quality one could ask for, but I have the impression that if they make good choices on the materials, it will be an attractive building. IMO, I don't think it even begins to approach the many bad choices made with the exterior elements such as window designs and placement, roof balance, overall squat appearance etc. shown on the West Jordan City Hall. For me, the jury is still out until I see the brick, it's texture and palette, Also the stone, and how it's balances out the brick. The detailing of the balcony fascia should be extremely important. Ultimately, will there be enough of a three dimensional quality with how functional and decorative masonary elements protrude from the face of the building? Is this just going to be another flat, one dimensional, cheap imitation of an historical structure, or will it have the same three dimensional fascia qualities that make historical structures so charming and interesting?

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by ToysNoiz

Come on architects.



Yes, this is a new school.

Okay, that's really bad. Is that local?

[EPdesign]

WAHOO. I can finally comment.

I really don't mind the design of the Ronald McDonald house. I actually like it in that neighborhood. I think it will age well.

With regards to the modern projects being built. I worried that they will go the same way of the (old) Public Safety Building and the KenGarff(per-refacing). They will become dated in a few decades because of neglect. I will give credit to the New Public safety building. That is impressive.

[SLC Projects]

I like the Ken Garth building. It's a very old design that really is one of a kind here in SLC. Same can be said about the old PSB, however I questioned due to poor condition if the building could be saved. Guessing the cost would be way more to repair vs just building a new building. Hope who ever buys the old building could save the building much like what we seen with the Ken Garth building. Both are keepers.

[Future Mayor]

I agree, I like the look of the former PSB. If it is structurally stable or at least rehabable, I think the former PSB would make a great residential tower. The first floor would make for excellent retail/restaurant space, with some sidewalk dinning opportunities.

[jimmycdii]

I concur about the old PSB. I hope (wish?) it can be saved. Actually, I like it a lot more than the new building, which seems like a really nice suburban building (e.g. poor street engagement, more supply of plaza space than demand dictated, etc.).

Also, a public official said to a Tribune reporter (not me, someone else) that it should last 60 or so years (I got this secondhand though, so take it for what it's worth). That seems like an awfully short lifespan for a great building.

As for the old PSB, are there any actual plans for it/its site?

[UTPlanner]

I am a fan of the Ken Garff Building but I do not love the old PSB. I realize that they're very similar in style and perhaps if the building was cleaned up and windows were added on the bottom floor giving it a street presence, I may change my mind. The building's fate is definitely controversial. There are those in the Administration that would like to see the building preserved and there are others that want it auctioned off to the highest bidder. As public property its sale or disposition will have to occur in a public manner. That won't probably happen for a while as the Police Department hasn't actually moved all of their operations into the new PSB yet.

[jedikermit]

I just found out about this today, but they're doing another Instagram Instameet this evening, meeting at the SLC Main Library at 7. I think at 7. The last one I attended was in Sugarhouse, and it was a lot of fun. Civic-minded, architecture-appreciating nerds with their Smartphones. If you're into that kind of stuff, might be worth checking out. If I weren't teaching teachers this evening, I'd be there.

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Okay, that's really bad. Is that local?

Probably not in Salt Lake, but it is in the mountain west.

[jimmycdii]

Also tonight, Envision Utah is apparently having an open house at the City Creek Harmons to discuss a downtown streetcar.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151590839331561&l=ed176b7eaa

[ToysNoiz]

Here is a new tower in Houston that I think would fit perfectly in the SLC skyline.



Maybe some extra plocks with a spire could be added.



I'd be nice as a CCH or as an office tower where the godforsaken Carl's Jr is. I don't know. I just felt like sharing.

[Orlando]

3 companies announce plans to bring 1,100 new jobs to Utah

The School Improvement Network will also be involved in transforming an abandoned downtown Salt Lake City building into a 21st-century green workspace. Located on the corner of 700 South and West Temple, the renovation will not be part of the agreement but is an additional way the company is contributing to local economic growth, explained public relations manager Abigail Shaha.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86558...plans-to-bring-400-new-jobs-to-Utah.html

[Merewether]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

I am a fan of the Ken Garff Building

Obviously, given my avatar I am too. BTW, the pictured object is a coin bank.
Coin banks in the shape of buildings (real or generic) are collectible , see eBay for examples.