Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[i-215]

I oppose curving 200 West. It's fine to mess with curving roads within the block, especially when it breaks the block up into smaller pieces. But curving the road unintentionally turns it into a 2-by-2 megablock. At least right now it's only a 1-by-2 megablock.

[JMK]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

This is very cool. Beer Bar, Bar X, and Johnny's will all be in a row. Would love to see this area develop into a hopping night life District.

Don't forget the Karaoke place west of Bar X
http://www.1874ktv.com/

But seriously that would be great for the city if a few more restaurants and bars popped up around there. There's also the Tavernacle about a block south.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

I love it!

Seriously ingenious idea Old&New!

So has anyone PM'ed this to Makid? He seemed to be in the inner loop with the movers and shakers for the CCH. What about UTPlanner? Anyone else on this forum with connections?

No need to PM. I have basically no input on the design and layout. But when I see or have information that can be released publicly, I am happy to do so.

Now, even though I have basically no input, I will forward the idea to as many people as possible that I know have some influence.

Regarding curving roads downtown, we will be having another one soon behind the hotels south of ESA. I think it is connecting 4th West and 3rd West as it goes by a parking garage that will be in the middle of the block.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by Makid

Regarding curving roads downtown, we will be having another one soon behind the hotels south of ESA. I think it is connecting 4th West and 3rd West as it goes by a parking garage that will be in the middle of the block.

Would it be anything like this?

[AllOutOfBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by DMTower

Would it be anything like this?

If that were to happen then my dream comes true of the Utah Paper Box building being torn down. It runs the whole lengthy of that block from 300 W to 400 W.

Also yesterday I was down in the ESA loading dock and peaking over the wall of that pit was the new Hilton. So even though it's only a few stories the location of the building makes it seem bigger.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by AllOutOfBubbleGum

If that were to happen then my dream comes true of the Utah Paper Box building being torn down. It runs the whole lengthy of that block from 300 W to 400 W.

Also yesterday I was down in the ESA loading dock and peaking over the wall of that pit was the new Hilton. So even though it's only a few stories the location of the building makes it seem bigger.

It's a Hyatt. And the other one will be a Marriott. But yes, Amazing what a six story building does to an area.

[AllOutOfBubbleGum]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

It's a Hyatt. And the other one will be a Marriott. But yes, Amazing what a six story building does to an area.

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by i-215

I oppose curving 200 West. It's fine to mess with curving roads within the block, especially when it breaks the block up into smaller pieces. But curving the road unintentionally turns it into a 2-by-2 megablock. At least right now it's only a 1-by-2 megablock.

I like curving 2nd West because with the former wide bridge and a new wide expo bridge going over it, it's going to be pretty terrible driving and especially walking under it. I say do it.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by Old&New

I just had an idea!!!!

How about this:

OK.. As someone who is totally against RWP.. You almost have me convinced with this one.

This does several things that I like..
- It eliminates the Back End look of the Salt Palace.
- 200 West would no longer take you towards the rape tunnel. This kind of hides the tunnel and directs you down 100 South towards ESA/ Gateway.
- Likewise.. 100 South is no longer a dead corner.
- I am a huge proponent of Redeveloping Japan Town.


My only Problem is that it does not Go far enough. I know demolition isn't always fun... but as Iv stated.. I think the whole block needs to go to make it work. The apartmenents on the corner of 300&200 will really be a detorent for people staying at the hotel. I think the space could be better utilized.

The Detroit housing project building is just hideous.. Especially the Side that would be facing the hotel.. I would prefer to see the space used fro japan town themed retail mix and green space... I might be ok with the building if it were tr receive a complete reclad.. that ties it in with that japanese theme.

Also the south side of 200 South needs to be redeveloped.

Here is a modified version of you plan.. what I would find acceptable.

and then perhaps a 3erd Japanes Gate could be put on the North Side of the rape tunnel and Japanes murals and such could be painted in the tunnel...

I would also like to see rooftop green space / Retail on top of the salt palace expansion... Possible tie it in to japan town.. make japan town seem bigger by adding another level.

[ajiuO]

On a side note.. I think it's about time to add glass to the SW side of the ESA...

[Stenar]

So you want to recreate Japan Town by tearing down the temple right there.

Originally Posted by ajiuO

OK.. As someone who is totally against RWP.. You almost have me convinced with this one.

This does several things that I like..
- It eliminates the Back End look of the Salt Palace.
- 200 West would no longer take you towards the rape tunnel. This kind of hides the tunnel and directs you down 100 South towards ESA/ Gateway.
- Likewise.. 100 South is no longer a dead corner.
- I am a huge proponent of Redeveloping Japan Town.


My only Problem is that it does not Go far enough. I know demolition isn't always fun... but as Iv stated.. I think the whole block needs to go to make it work. The apartmenents on the corner of 300&200 will really be a detorent for people staying at the hotel. I think the space could be better utilized.

The Detroit housing project building is just hideous.. Especially the Side that would be facing the hotel.. I would prefer to see the space used fro japan town themed retail mix and green space... I might be ok with the building if it were tr receive a complete reclad.. that ties it in with that japanese theme.

Also the south side of 200 South needs to be redeveloped.

Here is a modified version of you plan.. what I would find acceptable.

and then perhaps a 3erd Japanes Gate could be put on the North Side of the rape tunnel and Japanes murals and such could be painted in the tunnel...

I would also like to see rooftop green space / Retail on top of the salt palace expansion... Possible tie it in to japan town.. make japan town seem bigger by adding another level.

[jimmycdii]

Originally Posted by AllOutOfBubbleGum

If that were to happen then my dream comes true of the Utah Paper Box building being torn down. It runs the whole lengthy of that block from 300 W to 400 W.

Also yesterday I was down in the ESA loading dock and peaking over the wall of that pit was the new Hilton. So even though it's only a few stories the location of the building makes it seem bigger.

The curved street behind the ESA hotels is already well underway; I can see it from my office and it's paved (at least in parts). Pretty cool.

I'm a little skeptical about the prospects of the stuff on the lower half of the block though, especially that short north-south street connecting 200 S to the new east-west street. Right now that's a private parking lot that I think is used by condo residents in Westgate Lofts. If the stalls are deeded to the condos, that could make it very difficult to develop. And even if they're not, I could see the people in those buildings resisting efforts to take away their parking. (I do think they have some parking elsewhere, but not enough for the entire building.)

That said, it is a truly excellent plan and I hope it does happen. It would radically improve that area.

[Jerm]

Seems like breaking the block up and shutting off 200 west with that sideways T like that would not be good. I like the big blocks of SLC. Unless "J" street is a two lane road maybe parking on one side with some wide sidewalks and shit to do I'm not feelin it. I do like the japan town style hotel idea though.

[SL,UT]

That looks great, but Rocky Mountain Power would never ever move that substation. Not in a million years.

[ajiuO]

Originally Posted by Stenar

So you want to recreate Japan Town by tearing down the temple right there.

Don't take it so literal. This is just a generalization to show usage of the area. Anything Japan town related could be kept and worked into the plan..

I would definitely tear down
- The Detroit housing project tower.
- The apartments on the corner of 300 W. 200 S.
- Royal Wood Plaza.
- The Struve Distributing building
- The Utah developmental disabilities Council building.
- The Antique Gallery (As much as I love old Victorian houses it's just not going work there anymore.. Maybe it could be relocated)
- And yes I would take a look at some of the buildings on first south.. The 1980s cinderblock crap can be replaced with something more appropriately detailed to fit Japan town.. And serve the same purpose

[Old&New]

I actually thought the old victorian house would be great as is. It could also make for a very interesting restaurant, art gallery, or a bed and breakfast.

The "Detroit housing project tower," as you call it, adds real density/residents to the area. If any retail--as part of a recreated Japan Town--were to be successful, it would be because of permanent residents. I wouldn't mind updating the exterior, or giving it a new fresh coat of paint (like they did to the marriott at city creek).

Additionally, I actually think the building on the corner of 200 South and 300 West is a handsome building. It could use a little maintenance, but judging from the outside, it looks like a sturdy building. I believe it too is residential. Remember, having a residential component in a mixed-use project is key to it's success. After all, these are people's homes we're talking about.

Lastly, I would prefer the building on the corner of 100 South and 300 west stay, as it is one of the original Japan Town buildings, and would make for great retail space, or a Japan Town History Museum.

[Stenar]

I see nothing wrong with and would not demolish any of these buildings. I especially would not touch the apartments on 300 W 200 S.

Originally Posted by ajiuO

Don't take it so literal. This is just a generalization to show usage of the area. Anything Japan town related could be kept and worked into the plan..

I would definitely tear down
- The Detroit housing project tower.
- The apartments on the corner of 300 W. 200 S.
- Royal Wood Plaza.
- The Struve Distributing building
- The Utah developmental disabilities Council building.
- The Antique Gallery (As much as I love old Victorian houses it's just not going work there anymore.. Maybe it could be relocated)
- And yes I would take a look at some of the buildings on first south.. The 1980s cinderblock crap can be replaced with something more appropriately detailed to fit Japan town.. And serve the same purpose

[UTPlanner]

Someone brought up the Utah Paperbox building, I just thought I would mention that it is owned by the SLC RDA already and they're planning for redevelopment. Utah Paperbox has a few years left on their lease and then they're out for good. It may happen earlier as the company has moved most of their operations to a new building off of 800 South.

[DMTower]

Originally Posted by jimmycdii

I'm a little skeptical about the prospects of the stuff on the lower half of the block though, especially that short north-south street connecting 200 S to the new east-west street. Right now that's a private parking lot that I think is used by condo residents in Westgate Lofts. If the stalls are deeded to the condos, that could make it very difficult to develop. And even if they're not, I could see the people in those buildings resisting efforts to take away their parking. (I do think they have some parking elsewhere, but not enough for the entire building.)

That said, it is a truly excellent plan and I hope it does happen. It would radically improve that area.

In the plan I posted above, the intention was for new parking to be created below ground which would also accommodate the residents of all of the lofts. If one developer were to do the project, they could put underground parking below almost all of it.

[ajiuO]

Demolishing those buildings is the only way I would support RWP as a hotel site... Especially the Detroit housing project tower. I would never invite somebody to stay here in Salt Lake and then have them look at the back end of that out of their hotel window. New senior apartments were recently constructed along 600 W. & there is plenty of room for expansion. I also think that the old Public Safety building and surrounding property could be redeveloped into senior living

The apartments are bit trashy but not beyond redemption.. I'm sure all the paint could be sandblasted off of the brick, The woodwork could be restored, The windows could be replaced, and the inside could be renovated.. They would probably make some pretty nice city apartments at that point... My main reason for tearing those down is that the space is too valuable.. I would rather have the space used for convention space so that the north end of the block can be used for Japan town. I would also like to see a small restaurant or coffee shop go directly on the corner.. That would offer a lot better street presents for people staying at the hotel than an apartment building would.

There is nothing wrong with the developmental disabilities Council building.. But there's also nothing special about it. It's an ugly generic brown brick building that is completely uninspiring... And once again the space is too valuable.. In the context of what we are talking about here.

I don't think that there's anything wrong with the Victorian house and would actually like to see it repositioned if it can work within a coherent plan.. In the context of everything else it would just be in agoofy spot.. But if it has to go.. It has to go.