Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I was hoping for a new stadium closer to downtown. Keep dreaming.

The original Bees stadium was going to be built just south of Pioneer Park, but got changed to 1300 S because baseball was historically played on 1300 S.

I like the 1300 S stadium because the views are awesome, but would love to see it moved DT when they expand or something.

[Makid]

I don't see them moving unless it is for MLB expansion/acquisition.

Of course, if that happens, imagine what the Legislature would do to place the stadium outside of SLC like they did with the Real stadium.

[utenation]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I was hoping for a new stadium closer to downtown. Keep dreaming.

I agree. 1300 south almost seems too far away. Maybe when SLC keeps getting bigger and denser downtown, it won't feel out of place.

As others mentioned, I agree the view is great but for me, there needs to be more food/bars in the area to feel like a real stadium.. There's a few around but nothing to write home about. It would be nice and and added plus for any residential towers to continue add life/more entertainment options within walking distance, if it were in smack dab middle of DT.

[utenation]

Originally Posted by Makid

Of course, if that happens, imagine what the Legislature would do to place the stadium outside of SLC like they did with the Real stadium.

Another mistake IMO. Real would look very nice downtown. I live in Sandy and this stadium just doesn't fit in. Stadiums like this and the Bees would really add density and life DT.

[SLC Projects]

The Bees and RSLs stadiums would look much better if redevelopment would take place around them.

[jedikermit]

The Bees (Smith's Field) ball park is really in a good location for some redevelopment to happen, and I think that's been the hope for years. There's a TRAX stop nearby, there are empty or underused lots around it...but there needs to be some other catalyst to get things going. During the baseball season, there's enough activity to sustain restaurants or bars, but outside of the season it seems to be a wasteland. More residents would help, but it stills seems like there would need to be some other draw. And perhaps the restaurants or bars themselves would be enough of a draw to bring some life to the area.

As for the Rio Tinto Stadium, I won't ever be convinced that it should have been built where it's at. I don't like the site for a stadium. When you're attending a game, it's unfriendly to walk along State Street (or from anywhere you park) to get there, with a narrow sidewalk and busy streets trying to accommodate thousands of people. Once you're inside, I love that stadium. It's beautiful, there are a lot of food and drink options--it's great. Love it. But it never should have been built there. I don't see a lot of development happening immediately around it because of where it's located. Maybe someone can step in and change that, but it seems like it would be an uphill battle that they probably don't want to fight.

[Scraperdude801]

In my dreams SLC had some magic powers and they Odd Fellowsed the Rio Tinto, Smith's stadium, Living Planet Aquarium, and Natural History museum and put them downtown where they belong.

At least we got the Delta Center, and the forthcoming UPAC

[Bob The Builder]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

The Bees (Smith's Field) ball park is really in a good location for some redevelopment to happen, and I think that's been the hope for years. There's a TRAX stop nearby, there are empty or underused lots around it...but there needs to be some other catalyst to get things going. During the baseball season, there's enough activity to sustain restaurants or bars, but outside of the season it seems to be a wasteland. More residents would help, but it stills seems like there would need to be some other draw. And perhaps the restaurants or bars themselves would be enough of a draw to bring some life to the area.

As for the Rio Tinto Stadium, I won't ever be convinced that it should have been built where it's at. I don't like the site for a stadium. When you're attending a game, it's unfriendly to walk along State Street (or from anywhere you park) to get there, with a narrow sidewalk and busy streets trying to accommodate thousands of people. Once you're inside, I love that stadium. It's beautiful, there are a lot of food and drink options--it's great. Love it. But it never should have been built there. I don't see a lot of development happening immediately around it because of where it's located. Maybe someone can step in and change that, but it seems like it would be an uphill battle that they probably don't want to fight.

RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen (Wastch Builders) has plans to devlop around the stadium. I have had a conversation with him about this but he is trying to acquire more of the land around Rio Tinto....

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

In my dreams SLC had some magic powers and they Odd Fellowsed the Rio Tinto, Smith's stadium, Living Planet Aquarium, and Natural History museum and put them downtown where they belong.

At least we got the Delta Center, and the forthcoming UPAC

How I wish this were true.

I found myself down in the southern end of the valley yesterday (which is rare) and saw the new Aquarium from I-15. It looked cool, aside from its surroundings: on the side of a major interstate surrounded by big box stores, car dealerships and seas of parking lots. What a waste.

I also found myself in Herriman for the first time yesterday.

[gusam26]

State street plaza

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by scottharding

I also found myself in Herriman for the first time yesterday.

Herriman was once this charming tiny community...I loved the cemetery, I loved the wilderness of grass and foothills and scrub trees...now it's just the same as all the other beige sprawly-sprawl.

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Herriman was once this charming tiny community...I loved the cemetery, I loved the wilderness of grass and foothills and scrub trees...now it's just the same as all the other beige sprawly-sprawl.

I remember going to Herriman when I was 15 to the triple D ranch for a youth activity (also where I broke my ankle). I was like holy crap how does this tiny community still so small in the Salt Lake Valley. It was still small when I left for my mission in March of 99 and by the time I came home Dec 2001 it had an easy 4,000-5,000 residents. I was like, holy crap, that city came out of nowhere.

[jedikermit]

Yeah. I never went on an official camp or anything, but the thugs I was hanging out with in say, 1996 or so would often go up into the foothills and burn stuff. Sometimes blow stuff up. Yeah, my friends were arsonists. We did less damage the Camp Williams does.

[Comrade]

I've mentioned in the past how the current location of the Bees' stadium just isn't working. We've been promised redevelopment there now for twenty years and the location looks just as it did back when Derks Field was demolished.

Suburban stadiums generally just don't work unless there is an entire neighborhood that grows up around it (see Wrigleyville in Chicago). More often than not, the stadium just sits there, hardly ever interacting with their surroundings like a downtown stadium would. While RSL has plans to develop the area around their stadium, until something of substance actually goes up there, I'll look at it, and the Maverik Center, along with Smith's Ballpark, as failed examples of suburban stadiums.

[Orlando]

Thanks for the photo update Gusam!

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by Comrade

I've mentioned in the past how the current location of the Bees' stadium just isn't working. We've been promised redevelopment there now for twenty years and the location looks just as it did back when Derks Field was demolished.

Suburban stadiums generally just don't work unless there is an entire neighborhood that grows up around it (see Wrigleyville in Chicago). More often than not, the stadium just sits there, hardly ever interacting with their surroundings like a downtown stadium would. While RSL has plans to develop the area around their stadium, until something of substance actually goes up there, I'll look at it, and the Maverik Center, along with Smith's Ballpark, as failed examples of suburban stadiums.

Wrigley Field works because it is Chicago....

I always forget about the Maverick center. Should've put it downtown too.

[jimmycdii]

As a resident of downtown, I wish the Bee's stadium were downtown too.

That said, I feel really optimistic about that neighborhood. The infrastructure and much of the housing stock is pretty good, but many of the homes themselves are dirt cheap. It seem like it'll be the next place to see some gentrification (for better or worse, I know that's a loaded term).

I don't think that'll happen because of or in spite of the stadium, but just because of the economics (and things like smaller streets, etc.). If I were buying a home now, I'd buy in the ballpark neighborhood.

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by gusam26

State street plaza

Thanks for the update!

State Street Plaza Opening Winter 2024!

[Scraperdude801]

Originally Posted by jimmycdii

As a resident of downtown, I wish the Bee's stadium were downtown too.

That said, I feel really optimistic about that neighborhood. The infrastructure and much of the housing stock is pretty good, but many of the homes themselves are dirt cheap. It seem like it'll be the next place to see some gentrification (for better or worse, I know that's a loaded term).

I don't think that'll happen because of or in spite of the stadium, but just because of the economics (and things like smaller streets, etc.). If I were buying a home now, I'd buy in the ballpark neighborhood.

I used to own a business across from the Ballpark--Wild Sage Day Spa. I used to think that neighborhood had so much potential, but nothing ever happened. Businesses around us folded up, and eventually we did. It's a really hard neighborhood to take root in. I think it will take a lot of things happening at once to make it desirable, which is really sad since it's only a stones throw between DT and Liberty Park.

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

Wrigley Field works because it is Chicago....

I always forget about the Maverick center. Should've put it downtown too.

The only time I ever think of the Maverick Center is when I drive past it on my way home everyday.