Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[jimmycdii]

I was curious about the actual percent of surface parking, so I googled until I found this Tribune article, which says "Surface lots cover about 20 percent of downtown – some 55 acres."

I'm guessing the higher figures that I've heard were including parking structures.

[Makid]

I figured everyone would like to see the following:

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/7...Salt-Lake-Convention-Hotel/#.Ux-TU4Vu6B4

Utah Senate gives preliminary approval to Salt Lake convention hotel proposal

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate has given preliminary approval to a measure attempting to lure a private developer to build a 800 to 1,000-room convention center hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.

Senators voted 17-11 on Tuesday to advance the measure for a final vote. If approved, it moves to Gov. Gary Herbert's desk for a signature or veto.

The bill would offer up to $75 million in tax rebates for the builder if the hotel increases tourism revenue down the road. It also creates a $2.1 million lifeline for existing hotels if they see vacancies once the new hotel appears on the market.

A similar bill died in the Utah House last year hours before lawmakers adjourned.

This year's proposal has backing from House GOP leaders, including Provo Republican House Speaker Becky Lockhart.

Depending on the Senate's schedule, the final vote could be today or tomorrow morning.

I do expect that the Governor will sign the bill.

This does mean that potentially by Friday, the State will have signed off and approved the Hotel. It also further means that we should start to see a flurry of events happening over the next month or 2, with the County and City passing resolutions as well as a location being finalized and developer(s) named as well as designs being presented.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Makid

I figured everyone would like to see the following:

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/7...Salt-Lake-Convention-Hotel/#.Ux-TU4Vu6B4

Utah Senate gives preliminary approval to Salt Lake convention hotel proposal



Depending on the Senate's schedule, the final vote could be today or tomorrow morning.

I do expect that the Governor will sign the bill.

This does mean that potentially by Friday, the State will have signed off and approved the Hotel. It also further means that we should start to see a flurry of events happening over the next month or 2, with the County and City passing resolutions as well as a location being finalized and developer(s) named as well as designs being presented.

Thanks for the news Makid! Though, I don't think we'll be seeing designs that soon. I'm guessing that it will be at least a year before we see anything at all. Is their a lineup of interested developers? If not, I would assume that that could even take a year or more, and for them to even get their financing in place. We'll probably see the new hotel up in about 4 years from now.


And, I just posted my 2000th post!

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Thanks for the news Makid! Though, I don't think we'll be seeing designs that soon. I'm guessing that it will be at least a year before we see anything at all. Is their a lineup of interested developers? If not, I would assume that that could even take a year or more, and for them to even get their financing in place. We'll probably see the new hotel up in about 4 years from now.

From the rumors I've heard over the past couple of years, there are 3-4 developers wanting to do this project.

[utenation]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

From the rumors I've heard over the past couple of years, there are 3-4 developers wanting to do this project.

I don't see this taking long to get rolling. With the carrots out there for investors, perks to state tourism and loss of convention revenue I don't think this will sit. Slc is ripe for this hotel right now.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Thanks for the news Makid! Though, I don't think we'll be seeing designs that soon. I'm guessing that it will be at least a year before we see anything at all. Is their a lineup of interested developers? If not, I would assume that that could even take a year or more, and for them to even get their financing in place. We'll probably see the new hotel up in about 4 years from now.


And, I just posted my 2000th post!

We don't have four years, at least not if salt lake wants to keep the Outdoor retailers here past 2016. I'm sure there's been developers waiting on the sidelines for this bill to finally pass.

[Makid]

I have heard for some time that there were at least 2 developers that were ready to build a large 1000+ room hotel but both needed public involvement for the publicly controlled spaces.

I would think that both may still be willing and ready to go once this is passed by all levels.

One thing more to consider is that if we get even a couple of the missed conventions currently and bookings are strong for those conventions while the CCH is under construction, it may lead to another larger hotel being build near the CC. Similar to what happened in Austin with their CCH.

[ajiuO]

Looks like bridges / citifront apartments are finally doing something with the extra patch of land between the two complexes... I wonder what!!

[SLC Projects]

Good point. The CCH might not be the ONLY new hotel out of this. We could be seeing a few highrise hotels popping up within these next say......five years.

[ajiuO]

As for CCC.. I predict demolition to start in spring 2015 and construction shortly after... Just my guess.

[jtrent77]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

As for CCC.. I predict demolition to start in spring 2015 and construction shortly after... Just my guess.

Hopefully you mean CCH...I hope they don't demolish CCC (City Creek Center) for a while as they just finished it not too long ago.

[Neuroguy]

Originally Posted by JMK

Here is one of the pieces illuminated. The idea is to have the ability to change the color of the exterior depending on the theme colors of the show (i.e. Dracula=Red, Wicked=Green). The city is trying to decide if they want a black filter or clear filter which you can see affects the amount of light to come through the fixture and changes the appearance in the daytime (see last picture)


http://imgur.com/NH1GJ4M


http://imgur.com/IqyQFbe


http://imgur.com/wIDJKrV


http://imgur.com/ttzz8IO

This seems to have been overlooked, but thanks JMK for posting these pictures; nice find. I think the lighting will add a lot to the overall feel and appearance of the addition and subsequently that part of town (more Broadway-esque). I'm torn- I like the deeper and richer color that the black filter creates but I think the brighter look of the white filter may cast a nice glow around the block….tough choice in deed.

[jtrent77]

Originally Posted by Neuroguy

This seems to have been overlooked, but thanks JMK for posting these pictures; nice find. I think the lighting will add a lot to the overall feel and appearance of the addition and subsequently that part of town (more Broadway-esque). I'm torn- I like the deeper and richer color that the black filter creates but I think the brighter look of the white filter may cast a nice glow around the block….tough choice in deed.

I think the black is nicer in that it provides a richer color at night and a higher contrast during the day. The white seems to wash out more in the daylight and at night the lights become to "simple" and don't to seem to have as much depth to them.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Makid

I have heard for some time that there were at least 2 developers that were ready to build a large 1000+ room hotel but both needed public involvement for the publicly controlled spaces.

I would think that both may still be willing and ready to go once this is passed by all levels.

One thing more to consider is that if we get even a couple of the missed conventions currently and bookings are strong for those conventions while the CCH is under construction, it may lead to another larger hotel being build near the CC. Similar to what happened in Austin with their CCH.

That's an interesting point that I hadn't thought of for a while, that could very well be the case. Arrow Press Square could still have a chance, now that would be a tall hotel, 500-800 rooms on the Arrow Press parcel.

If a second large hotel went up near the Salt Palace as a result of the CCH being built it would make it difficult to track lost revenue at other hotels. However I guess if there is enough demand for a second large hotel to be built, the existing hotels probably won't see much loss of revenue if any.

Here's just an idea I'm throwing out there, it might not even be feasible, and I'm not saying I necessarily support the idea, but it's something that just crossed my mind. Let's say the RWP location is chosen for the new convention space, with the hotel built on the NW corner of 2nd and 2nd. I wonder if a second hotel could be built on the SE corner of 3rd W and 1st S and also be connected to the new convention space. Two 700-800 room hotels as opposed to one 1,000 room hotel. hmmm. A positive would be two new, somewhat tall hotels making a presence on the west side of downtown, covering up surface lots. A negative would be that neither would be our new tallest.

[jimmycdii]

So I made another survey for the Tribune, this time about the best looking tall building in downtown. (I'll do another one for the best looking smaller buildings later.)

Also, I used a better survey service this time (as opposed to the one on ugly buildings), so anyone can see the results. I thought some of the forumers might be interested in the responses. Right now the Tribune building is winning, though I think that's because a bunch of Neumont students voted and are trying to win.

Here it is: What is Salt Lake City's best looking tall building?

[jedikermit]

^^^

I like the choices of buildings this time, although (and I said this on Twitter) the angles on some of the buildings could be better. Like a sexier pic of the Regent might bring in more votes.

But yeah, those Neumont kids, screwing with the poll. :/

There's also a poll linked on that page for "Best Street" or something...pleased to see that 300 South/Broadway is currently winning. I was torn between that and Main, but I love the life that's grown up on 300 over the last several years.

[Makid]

Just a quick FYI:

Senate has passed the CCH bill but made an amendment. They moved the clause about the mitigation fund up in the bill. This amendment does mean that the House has to vote on the updated bill again before it will go to the Governor for signing.

So, hopefully they will get to it before the end of the day today.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by jtrent77

Hopefully you mean CCH...I hope they don't demolish CCC (City Creek Center) for a while as they just finished it not too long ago.

Hehe.. Yes I do... CCH

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by jimmycdii

So I made another survey for the Tribune, this time about the best looking tall building in downtown. (I'll do another one for the best looking smaller buildings later.)

Also, I used a better survey service this time (as opposed to the one on ugly buildings), so anyone can see the results. I thought some of the forumers might be interested in the responses. Right now the Tribune building is winning, though I think that's because a bunch of Neumont students voted and are trying to win.

Here it is: What is Salt Lake City's best looking tall building?

Future Mayor, regarding any additional CCHs, wouldn't the parcels on the south side of 200 South, between 200 West and 300 West provide the best opportunity for creating continuity and restoring the fabric of downtown?

I'd hate to see all of Arrow Press Square torn down. APS has some great old buildings that just need someone's TLC.

Again, we should be focussing on infill before we start redeveloping every site over 30 years old.

Regarding the filters on Ballet West's addition, I'm leaning toward the white filter. I think the white makes the diagonal more subtle during the day, and the lights really pop at night:

Day


Night
http://imgur.com/IqyQFbe

I hope there are more colors to choose from than just red, blue, and green, as well as the option of muti-color lighting scenarios.

[JMK]

Originally Posted by Old&New

I hope there are more colors to choose from than just red, blue, and green, as well as the option of muti-color lighting scenarios.

I know it is capable of many other colors, however I am not sure about multi color lighting