Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[Old&New]

I imagined that the convention space--as part of the convention hotel--would be on the second level, above ground-level retail... So there would be no need to limit the space on the north west corner of the block side to japan town alone.

[ajiuO]

Does anybody else remember when those apartments used to be that ugly green color.. And it seems like they might've been blue for a short period of time :/

My dad used to buy weed from people there in the 80s.. The place was such a trashy firetrap back then.. I can't even imagine what it's like now unless they have totally renovated it

[ajiuO]

I still think that it will ultimately end up going on either west Temple or South Temple.. Why? Because it's just easier..

RWP is doable but there are a lot of challenges.. It would take a lot of time and a lot of money for the area to redeveloping in to something worthy of our guests...

I think the Plaza Hotel block is ultimately the best site... There's plenty of space and it would be in a good pleasant location..

I think the Radisson idea that somebody tossed out there is a real possibility as well...

[Stenar]

While I like the Plaza Hotel block for this, there actually is NOT plenty of space. There's enough room for a hotel, but not very large convention space.

I don't see anywhere on West Temple where it could even go.

Originally Posted by ajiuO

I still think that it will ultimately end up going on either west Temple or South Temple.. Why? Because it's just easier..

RWP is doable but there are a lot of challenges.. It would take a lot of time and a lot of money for the area to redeveloping in to something worthy of our guests...

I think the Plaza Hotel block is ultimately the best site... There's plenty of space and it would be in a good pleasant location..

I think the Radisson idea that somebody tossed out there is a real possibility as well...

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by ajiuO

Does anybody else remember when those apartments used to be that ugly green color.. And it seems like they might've been blue for a short period of time :/

My dad used to buy weed from people there in the 80s.. The place was such a trashy firetrap back then.. I can't even imagine what it's like now unless they have totally renovated it

If they were ever blue or green, it must have been over 30 years ago. They've been either white or their current color since I was a kid.

[Utaaah!]

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Here is one of the larger Japanese Torii Gates I saw in Japan that went over a road. We would need a pretty big one for the width of the street.

Please pardon my juxtaposition of two proud and distinct cultures, but how would an arch similar to the Friendship Archway in DC's Chinatown fit into this concept? It straddles a 4-lane road in the heart of downtown.

[stayinginformed]

Originally Posted by Utaaah!

Please pardon my juxtaposition of two proud and distinct cultures, but how would an arch similar to the Friendship Archway in DC's Chinatown fit into this concept? It straddles a 4-lane road in the heart of downtown.

If it was Chinatown maybe.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Stenar

While I like the Plaza Hotel block for this, there actually is NOT plenty of space. There's enough room for a hotel, but not very large convention space.

I don't see anywhere on West Temple where it could even go.

Perfectly said Stenar. There is more demolition required on West Temple to make room for even a small amount of convention space, and it is impossible if expo space is what the county requires. The Plaza site is the same situation, if the county wants expo space there is zero potential for that block.

ajiuO while I understand your desire for W or S Temple as far as being the best choice aesthetically, and already close to "nicer" areas of downtown, you have to keep in mind connections. Specifically direct connection and what type of alignment and scope of skybridge they will require, especially if more expo space is required.

W Temple doesn't work at all, and while the block north of the Radisson would work for an expo connection, I'd rather not have a giant skybridge over S. Temple, and considering that that block is slightly higher, elevation wise, that would most likely mean a skybridge at about the same elevation as the "rape tunnel" bridge, which is impossible due to Traxx.

Honestly if the county requires more contiguous expo space RWP is the ONLY option available. I would rather confine the Salt Palace to a nice 2 x 2 block than spread it out onto another block.

As for the apartments on 200 S and 300 W, I'm in the camp of keeping those. Yes the property would be more valuable if the CCH is built next door, but keeping them will then make new development occur across 200 S, because there is a demand, and that property is available.

While I don't want to see the senior housing tower be demolished, I would much rather see that be torn down than Arrow Press Square, former X-96 building, and the buildings fronting 100 S.

[delts145]

Ditto to that Stenar and Future Mayor, so much so I'd like to post it in a size 7...

[SLC Projects]

All this 2nd guessing and what ifs is killing me. I just want these guys to come out and say where the CCH is going already. I can't wait anymore.

[Old&New]

I was also thinking a koi pond--as part of a Japanese [arid] garden--would make a lovely addition to the overall development. But maybe that's asking too much?

[jedikermit]

^^^^

I love your proposal Old&New...possibly especially as a Utah History teacher. There's this misperception that Utah not only doesn't have diversity now, but has never had any diversity--it's always been white Mormons, and that's all that's here now. So I like showing the respect to the memory of Japantown, and celebrating the pieces of that culture that are still here.

However, I wonder if A - whoever it is in the city/state government that needs to sign off on the idea would go for something that they would feel flies in the face of what "Utah is all about," and B - this could very easily slide into an Epcot-style Japan simulation, which isn't an homage but an imitation.

I wouldn't want to see that, and for a lot of people it would even be offensive. Building a hotel in the shape of a shrine? A gate straddling a Salt Lake City street? (writing that, I realize the Eagle Gate has been a State Street landmark for generations) I do think there are elements of the proposal that would work well. I love the mid-block streets, I love the contiguous expo space on the back of the existing Salt Palace, love the pocket park, the koi pond, the Japantown museum.

There's a lot of potential with this plan. I'd hate to see it slide into a gaudy joke.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

^^^^

I love your proposal Old&New...possibly especially as a Utah History teacher. There's this misperception that Utah not only doesn't have diversity now, but has never had any diversity--it's always been white Mormons, and that's all that's here now. So I like showing the respect to the memory of Japantown, and celebrating the pieces of that culture that are still here.

However, I wonder if A - whoever it is in the city/state government that needs to sign off on the idea would go for something that they would feel flies in the face of what "Utah is all about," and B - this could very easily slide into an Epcot-style Japan simulation, which isn't an homage but an imitation.

I wouldn't want to see that, and for a lot of people it would even be offensive. Building a hotel in the shape of a shrine? A gate straddling a Salt Lake City street? (writing that, I realize the Eagle Gate has been a State Street landmark for generations) I do think there are elements of the proposal that would work well. I love the mid-block streets, I love the contiguous expo space on the back of the existing Salt Palace, love the pocket park, the koi pond, the Japantown museum.

There's a lot of potential with this plan. I'd hate to see it slide into a gaudy joke.

Oh, I completely agree, I'd want it to be as authentic to Japan Town's history as possible. I wouldn't want any of the architectural elements on the exterior of the convention hotel to reflect anything remotely like traditional Japanese architecture. I picture something similar to LA's convention center hotel, mixed with the new public safety building. I do like the gate though. I think the existing buildings mixed with the pagoda and Japanese garden will give the area enough of that Japanese feel without making it look contrived.

[SLC Projects]

I see Japan Town ( what's left of it ) getting torn up to make way for future Salt Palace expansions and Hotel/s as it takes up the rest of that block. I understand that there's a need for a larger Salt Palace and we really need that CCH. But, even after that, how long will it take before we out grown that once again? Remember, our last SP add on was only about five or six years ago. And already we have tents set up for larger conventions such as the outdoor retailers. With each add on it's getting harder and harder for the Salt Palace to stay within those four blocks and sooner or later, older buildings ( such as Japan Town ) will have to go. Old&New's plan ( great plan by the way ) will work, for now. But like I said, once we out grow that, then what? How many more blocks do we want to see the SP take up downtown? Do we want to see it move across South Temple? West Temple? 200 South? Is there a way for them to build it more upwards, not outwards kind of like Provo's? How big is too big?

[Orlando]

Wow. You guys are super hyped about the CCH and going off on all sorts of tangents on this. I think it's all premature. We've got a long ways to go before any site or design is finalized.

[jimmycdii]

Originally Posted by DMTower

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.

Oh got it. That would be very cool.

[EPdesign]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

I see Japan Town ( what's left of it ) getting torn up to make way for future Salt Palace expansions and Hotel/s as it takes up the rest of that block. I understand that there's a need for a larger Salt Palace and we really need that CCH. But, even after that, how long will it take before we out grown that once again? Remember, our last SP add on was only about five or six years ago. And already we have tents set up for larger conventions such as the outdoor retailers. With each add on it's getting harder and harder for the Salt Palace to stay within those four blocks and sooner or later, older buildings ( such as Japan Town ) will have to go. Old&New's plan ( great plan by the way ) will work, for now. But like I said, once we out grow that, then what? How many more blocks do we want to see the SP take up downtown? Do we want to see it move across South Temple? West Temple? 200 South? Is there a way for them to build it more upwards, not outwards kind of like Provo's? How big is too big?

I have to agree. these are good ideas but it will all be eventually bought out and developed into the Convention Center. I too would rather it stay in a 2x2 block of Downtown.

[Old&New]

Is the UPAC being built close enough to the convention center to count as a convention auditorium?

[Stenar]

Originally Posted by Old&New

Is the UPAC being built close enough to the convention center to count as convention auditorium?

I think they'd just use Abravanel Hall, unless the convention is actually putting on a whole play with large scenery. Abravanel has more seats than UPAC will.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Stenar

I think they'd just use Abravanel Hall, unless the convention is actually putting on a whole play with large scenery. Abravanel has more seats than UPAC will.

That'd be a convention I'd like to see!