Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Plaid Shirts

Are there any plans to building anything on the empty lot directly east of Harmon's on 100 South?

Going to be a housing development. There was a rendering I saw once that had a 5-6 story building. Timeframe, unknown.

[Makid]

There were plans for that lot. It was going to be a condo building built by Cowboy Properties but I think it was put on hold. It is owned by CCR, City Creek Reserve, so the land will be developed. I do think that we will hear about it in the near future as well.

[H4vok]

I don't think I've seen this daytime render for the 'Air Center'

[SL,UT]

Originally Posted by H4vok

I don't think I've seen this daytime render for the 'Air Center'

I wonder how much money the Owners of the Air Center will have to stuff into our Legislatures pockets for them to get a full club license.

[Plaid Shirts]

I posted this a while ago and I don't know how many of you saw this. Also the SL Trib just released today a short article and study concerning future Olympics in Salt Lake City.

I personally think Salt Lake does NOT deserve the Olympics again. I think another city should have the opportunity to show off and receive the same financial success, etc. that Utah has had ever since the Olympics were here.

Also remember that if a U.S. city is awarded the 2024 summer Olympics, that will for surely shut the door on any U.S. city getting the 2026 winter Olympics. U.S. cities interested in the 2024 games are Philadelphia, Dallas, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston (which might be the best candidate and frontrunner for a U.S. city), San Diego, and San Francisco.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/57500921-77/percent-olympics-games-utahns.html.csp

2026 Winter Olympics update

I've heard through a source and good friend that the USOC will be making an announcement/update this spring concerning the United States and the 2026 Olympics. I know this is far away and the official announcement isn't until 2019, but the 2026 winter Olympics are starting to get cities interest. I did some reading and some research, and talked to a couple of people, and from what I've heard and read, here are the cities that are considering bids from the U.S.:

Bozeman
Salt Lake City
Reno-Lake Tahoe
Boston/New England
Denver
Sacramento-Squaw Valley
Anchorage

Personally I think Denver or Boston/New England has the best chance of getting them if they do decide to officially bid.

Obviously the U.S. official winner and representative will have to bid and go up against the international cities that will try and win them. Again, from what I've read, heard, and researched, here are the international cities considering bids:

Toronto or Quebec (from Canada)
Munich
Helsinki
Zurich or St. Moritz (from Switzerland)
Ostersund or Stockholm (from Sweden)
Nice
Barcelona or Zaragoza (from Spain)


With that, what do you guys think SLC's chances really are? Also what do you think SLC will be like around 2026? And what improvements do you think need to be made between now and 2026 if they are to host the games again?

[EPdesign]

Originally Posted by livedowntown

can you add the 145 to this?

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Plaid Shirts

2026 Winter Olympics update

With that, what do you guys think SLC's chances really are? Also what do you think SLC will be like around 2026? And what improvements do you think need to be made between now and 2026 if they are to host the games again?

Slim at best. As much as I would love to see the games here again, we were the last US to host the Olympics to this point. ( 2024 could be the earliest if a US city could win the bid. ) but even if the US loses the bid for 2024 and SLC is in the running for 2026 we are going up against Denver who I believe will make a push. 2002 was a great time for Salt Lake, but they don't call it a "once in a lifetime event" for nothing. Sorry, just don't see it happening again. Sure we have great snow here and all, but fact is we are too small of a city. Even if by 2026 if we update all our Olympics facilities, redevelop our international airport, finally get our CCH our city is still far behind other cities like Denver. We were lucky to host it once, asking for them again?, we're just pushing our luck.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Plaid Shirts

2026 Winter Olympics update

I've heard through a source and good friend that the USOC will be making an announcement/update this spring concerning the United States and the 2026 Olympics. I know this is far away and the official announcement isn't until 2019, but the 2026 winter Olympics are starting to get cities interest. I did some reading and some research, and talked to a couple of people, and from what I've heard and read, here are the cities that are considering bids from the U.S.:

Bozeman
Salt Lake City
Reno-Lake Tahoe
Boston/New England
Denver
Sacramento-Squaw Valley
Anchorage

Personally I think Denver or Boston/New England has the best chance of getting them if they do decide to officially bid.

With that, what do you guys think SLC's chances really are? Also what do you think SLC will be like around 2026? And what improvements do you think need to be made between now and 2026 if they are to host the games again?

From the list of US Cities that may vie for the Olympics, we should look at more than just the City. The Country as a whole already is shying away from spending money on vanity projects. This means that any city that doesn't have decent infrastructure wouldn't be selected.

Out of the above list, I see 4 possible picks for 2026:

Boston/New England
Denver
Salt Lake
Sacramento/Reno joint bid

The rest either don't have the infrastructure or are to far from the facility locations needed.

Each of the 4 cities/areas above have negatives as well as positives. Looking at each of the 4 separately, I honestly think it will come down to a choice between Denver and Salt Lake.

The Snow is better in the Rocky Mountains than either the East or West Coasts. Both regions are known for winter sports and not just skiing.

I think the decision will be based on 3 points:

1. To soon to re-host an Olympics?
2. To soon to re-bid for a city that turned down the Olympics?
3. Has the IOC finalized their plan to have between 3 to 5 cities rotate the Winter Olympics?

#3 is the biggest discussion point I think. The IOC has floated the idea around for a few years now of selecting between 3 to 5 cities that have hosted the games in the past. Their reasoning came down to support from the City/Country, infrastructure, ability to grow in size as games increase participation and continued use of existing facilities.

Because of the impact of the decision, they aren't taking it lightly and want to ensure that all aspects of previous cities and potential future cities are weighed equally.

Now, personally, I think Denver would be a great host city and I do feel that they should get to actually host a Winter Olympics before the IOC makes any decision regarding making a set city rotation.

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I wasn't aware that you couldn't purchase air rights in SLC, that's interesting. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the approval process take into consideration the height of the neighboring corner buildings, and if they are to the minimum corner height, and then take that into consideration for a mid block height exception? While it's not the purchasing of air rights it sort of acts the same in my mind.

Is this how it works, for example. The First Security Building wasn't going to be demolished and when The Regent wanted to be built taller was that taken into consideration that the corner wasn't going to be any taller than the current 192' so the additional corner height potential could be used on a mid block instead? Or did that not apply to The Regent because it is on a corner? Maybe 222 and Hotel Monaco are a better example because 222 isn't on a corner? Are corner lots in the zoning code defined as corners on grid streets (100, 200, 300, etc), or does corner apply to any street such as Regent and 100 S?

I would think that as the city continues to grow, urban living becomes more and more popular, and once surface lots are nearly gone I would think that the city may consider looking into allowing the purchase of air rights. It would be pointless right now to purchase air rights, if the goal where to make a return on your investment in the next 5-10 years, however I would estimate that those air rights might start to make a profit in 15 or more years. There are plenty of corner buildings I can think of right now that could potentially pay big dividends for the air rights in the future. If I were to ever run and be elected to city council I think that is something I would look into.

Doesn't GateWay Tower West have air rights over CCC and perviously Crossroads? On its east side corner?

FM, I'd love it if you were on city council. Might make me cry. If you need someone to make Slam Campaign Ads for you, let me know.

[UTPlanner]

Yes, some buildings do exist that extend above an adjacent building. On a plat or property map, it would show it as an easement but what was discussed earlier sounded to me like a reference to a TDR or Transfer of Development Right. NYC is a great example of where this is possible and happens all the time. It's often used to promote the preservation of historic structures.

It is legal to do that in the state of Utah but most cities in the state haven't created an ordinance putting it into place. So 111 S. Main is a corner building and has its height allowance, by extending over the UPAC it isn't gaining any additional density or height. It is just an extension of the same building. You couldn't buy "air rights" over the Zions Bank structure on 100 S. and Main and then transfer it to a mid-block building allowing it to be taller. The development pattern of the block face would certainly be taken into consideration by the Planning Commission when additional height is requested. I'm sure when 222 S. Main made a request they looked at the height of existing structures but it didn't get additional height because the Hotel Monaco was preserved or because they gave up their right to have a taller building on the site. The building could be demolished and replaced with a taller building if the owners had the inclination.

[arkhitektor]

Some good news for SLC- According to this report, because of climate change- we're one of only 6 former host cities that will still be cold enough at the end of the century to host the Winter Olympics:

http://science.time.com/2014/01/24/climate-change-could-melt-the-winter-olympics/

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by livedowntown

This view is going to look awesome once 111 South Main and 145 State towers are added to the skyline.

Looking back, this decade could end as a very good decade in terms of new towers for SLC.

1990-2000
One Utah Center 1991
Wells Fargo Building ( known as American Store Tower ) 1998
Gateway Tower West 1998

2000-2010
Grand America Hotel 2001
then for a long time nothing.........
222 South Main 2009

2010-2020
99 West 2011
The Regent 2011
Fed. Courthouse 2014
111 South Main Coming in 2016
145 State Coming 2016?
The Cascade Coming 2016 or later
Convention Center Hotel Coming soon I hope

If everything falls into place we could end this decade with up to seven new highrises/towers/skyscrapers added to the skyline.

[slc801]

Originally Posted by Makid

Out of the above list, I see 4 possible picks for 2026:

Boston/New England
Denver
Salt Lake
Sacramento/Reno joint bid

If I remember right, the New England area is a stretch because there are no resorts on the East Coast that can host the men's downhill. The only resort that is capable of hosting it is in Canada, and the olympics have never gone for a two nation bid. Does anyone else remember hearing about the lack of a men's downhill venue on the east coast? Really I think it comes down to Denver, Salt Lake, and Sacamento/Reno, each which has great positives and real draw backs.

[slc801]

Speaking about the Convention Center Hotel, here's some really good news:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57500828-90/salt-center-hotel-lake.html.csp

After a bill to fund a convention center hotel in downtown Salt Lake City fell just short of legislative approval last session, House Speaker Becky Lockhart challenged Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams to devise a megahotel plan that helps the whole state, not just the capital city.

He apparently has.

Lockhart joined other legislative, business and community leaders Wednesday in endorsing a soon-to-appear bill that will lend state financial aid to the privately led development of a headquarters hotel adjacent to the Salt Palace Convention Center.

"I’m honored to lend my support to this visionary venture," said the Provo Republican in a news conference from the Sky Bridge linking City Creek Center’s shops east and west of Main Street.

She voted against the measure last session, when it fell three votes short of passage on the session’s final night

Last session the bill passed the senate but fell three votes short in the house. Well, it looks like its now only 2 short.

[Plaid Shirts]

Speaking of a convention hotel. Here is San Antonio's Grand Hyatt convention center hotel that was built in 2008. It's connected to the their convention center. This is definitely "megahotel" worthy. It's almost the exact same height as the Wells Fargo Center here in Salt Lake...it's actually just a little taller than the Wells Fargo Center.

I think something like this would look good in Salt Lake.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Plaid Shirts

I posted this a while ago and I don't know how many of you saw this. Also the SL Trib just released today a short article and study concerning future Olympics in Salt Lake City.

I personally think Salt Lake does NOT deserve the Olympics again. I think another city should have the opportunity to show off and receive the same financial success, etc. that Utah has had ever since the Olympics were here.

Also remember that if a U.S. city is awarded the 2024 summer Olympics, that will for surely shut the door on any U.S. city getting the 2026 winter Olympics. U.S. cities interested in the 2024 games are Philadelphia, Dallas, D.C., Los Angeles, Boston (which might be the best candidate and frontrunner for a U.S. city), San Diego, and San Francisco.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/57500921-77/percent-olympics-games-utahns.html.csp

2026 Winter Olympics update

I've heard through a source and good friend that the USOC will be making an announcement/update this spring concerning the United States and the 2026 Olympics. I know this is far away and the official announcement isn't until 2019, but the 2026 winter Olympics are starting to get cities interest. I did some reading and some research, and talked to a couple of people, and from what I've heard and read, here are the cities that are considering bids from the U.S.:

Bozeman
Salt Lake City
Reno-Lake Tahoe
Boston/New England
Denver
Sacramento-Squaw Valley
Anchorage

Personally I think Denver or Boston/New England has the best chance of getting them if they do decide to officially bid.

Obviously the U.S. official winner and representative will have to bid and go up against the international cities that will try and win them. Again, from what I've read, heard, and researched, here are the international cities considering bids:

Toronto or Quebec (from Canada)
Munich
Helsinki
Zurich or St. Moritz (from Switzerland)
Ostersund or Stockholm (from Sweden)
Nice
Barcelona or Zaragoza (from Spain)


With that, what do you guys think SLC's chances really are? Also what do you think SLC will be like around 2026? And what improvements do you think need to be made between now and 2026 if they are to host the games again?

Toronto would bid for the summer games, not the winter ones. Not enough mountains in the vicinity.

[Merewether]

While walking through City Creek Center this morning 9ish I saw a press conference on the skybridge but couldn't get close enough to hear. Now sounds like it is news this forum will like... Speaker of the House Becky Lockhart endorsing a bill to support a convention hotel.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/57500828-90/center-convention-hotel-http.html.csp

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by Plaid Shirts

Speaking of a convention hotel. Here is San Antonio's Grand Hyatt convention center hotel that was built in 2008. It's connected to the their convention center. This is definitely "megahotel" worthy. It's almost the exact same height as the Wells Fargo Center here in Salt Lake...it's actually just a little taller than the Wells Fargo Center.

I think something like this would look good in Salt Lake.

I don't think that would look good in SLC. If it's taller than Wells Fargo, than it would be a giant wall in the skyline. I'd rather have one slim tall building, or 2-3 smaller buildings.

[RC14]

^ I think it looks like one of those ugly Commie Blocks from the Soviet Union. No thanks.

[Lilljemalm]

Originally Posted by slc801

If I remember right, the New England area is a stretch because there are no resorts on the East Coast that can host the men's downhill. The only resort that is capable of hosting it is in Canada, and the olympics have never gone for a two nation bid. Does anyone else remember hearing about the lack of a men's downhill venue on the east coast? Really I think it comes down to Denver, Salt Lake, and Sacamento/Reno, each which has great positives and real draw backs.

Don't count on Denver making much of an effort. The insiders I know said that Denver's interest is only mediocre at this time and that they are still blackballed by the USOC and IOC for the time they voted it down. From that same time, the IOC left feeling that not only had the voters of Colorado shunned them, but that what Denver had to offer was too spread out - the ski slopes were too far away to their liking. The IOC wants more compact settings. Denver might try, but only expect it to be half hearted.