Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 3

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by Comrade

First Security Bank was going to be a major tenant. It was going to be developed by Lincoln Properties Co., though I don't think it ever reached the level of producing a rendering of the building.

The Triad Towers were set to be 40-stories each, I believe.

Also, fun fact: Eagle Gate Tower (WTC) was originally proposed to be Salt Lake's tallest at 32-stories back in 1983. But the original plans were shelved when the LDS Church voiced their concern that it would be too tall. A year or so later, the 22-story Eagle Gate Plaza began construction.

Thanks for the info, Comrade.

...I wonder if that Eagle Gate Tower thing is where the SLC myth came from that "no building shalt be taller than the LDS Church Office Building." It's pretty pervasive among the ill-informed. And the informed, actually. Another reason to get a clear New Tallest.

[delts145]

What's next for Utah State Fairpark land?

Morgan Jacobsen, Deseret News

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865603473/Whats-next-for-Utah-State-Fairpark-land.html

...The state recently hired CRSA, a design and planning firm, to conduct a 90-day study of the fairgrounds and White Ball Park to determine what viable options exist for future use of the area.

"What we're going to do is craft a series of framework plans," said Kathy Wheadon, a senior principal with the firm. "That might be from retaining the fairgrounds as it is, (develop) business and recreation opportunities to make the fair more successful, all the way to private development."...


Aerial views of the Utah State Fairpark pictured on Friday, May 16, 2014. (Stuart Johnson, Deseret News)

...The study began last month with an analysis of existing conditions. Wednesday's open house was part of the study's scenario development phase to explore possibilities. The third and final phase will end next month with a consolidation of ideas and a presentation of "two or three" scenarios to the state Legislature, according to CRSA planner Donald Buaku.

Wheadon said fiscal viability is only one of many factors the state will consider in its "highest and best use" for the grounds.

"When we ask the question of highest and best use, usually what we mean is the financial decision about what's the fiscal impact to the state," Wheadon said. "But as a cultural facility, highest and best use might be ... the opportunity to have interface between the agricultural community and the entire state and has a different kind of value."

That kind of value resonates with community members like King:...


.

[delts145]

One map that shows Utah is the place to be right now



JJ Feinauer, Deseret News

Published: Monday, May 19 2014 9:43 p.m. MDT, Updated: 9 hours ago

Unemployment rates have continued to decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent economic news release.

But the good news is not evenly spread. According to the report, 47 states saw a drop in unemployment numbers from March to April, but the remaining three either saw no change in unemployment or, in one case, even an increase.

Utah continues to rank among the states with the lowest unemployment numbers, joined by Wyoming, Vermont, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nebraska as states with an unemployment rate below 4 percent. The national average currently sits at 6.3 percent.

“The moral of the story is pretty clear,” Vox’s Matthew Yglesias said in response to the report. “If you want a job, head for Omaha or Salt Lake City or the wide open spaces of the Plains.”

.

[delts145]

Pioneer Park Coalition urges support for proposed police precinct

Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/86560...upport-for-proposed-police-precinct.html

SALT LAKE CITY — A proposed reorganization of the Salt Lake City Police Department would establish a police precinct in the Rio Grande/Depot District, placing about 100 officers in the neighborhood, according to an email sent to members of the Pioneer Park Coalition.

Coalition members were urged to lend their support for the reorganization by speaking out at Tuesday’s Salt Lake City Council meeting or emailing City Council members, the email states.

The grass-roots coalition is privately funded and includes area business and property owners, community leaders, homeless services providers, police and government representatives...

...The city has concentrated heavily on improving the area since last fall, an effort that includes long-term planning for use of Pioneer Park, she said.

In recent months, Salt Lake police have stepped up enforcement and community policing activities in response to complaints of businesses and residents about safety and filthy conditions in the park and surrounding streets.

Cleanup crews from Valley Services regularly pick up trash, and the police department recently announced an initiative that encourages businesses or nonprofit agencies with private surveillance systems to share their IP addresses with the department to give them “additional eyes,” Deputy Chief Mike Brown said at the time.

Meanwhile, the city prosecutor’s office has urged crime victims in the community to fill out victim impact statements to help prosecutors obtain maximum penalties for offenders.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Comrade

First Security Bank was going to be a major tenant. It was going to be developed by Lincoln Properties Co., though I don't think it ever reached the level of producing a rendering of the building.

The Triad Towers were set to be 40-stories each, I believe.

Also, fun fact: Eagle Gate Tower (WTC) was originally proposed to be Salt Lake's tallest at 32-stories back in 1983. But the original plans were shelved when the LDS Church voiced their concern that it would be too tall. A year or so later, the 22-story Eagle Gate Plaza began construction.

Don't tell mormon skyscraper enthusiasts that!!!

[delts145]

I think the LDS Church and also SLC downtown developers in general will always prefer to be a little short handed on tower sq. footage supply available vs. having an over supply come on to the market. Even with a conservative track record — happens. Look at what should have been a sure thing with American Stores. However, I think that SLC has done a much better job of avoiding the boom/bust cycle that many CBD's around the country have gone through over the years. The great thing about what's going on in SLC's CBD is that the demand for Downtown Salt Lake as a location is hitting a point that even a conservative approach demands tower development immediately, here and now.

As long as this current boomtown atmosphere that Salt Lake and it's Metro are continuing to enjoy doesn't lead to overkill like a Phoenix or Las Vegas. The Wasatch Front has been very fortunate, in that unlike many areas there's been a lot of development activity all through the great recession. Now though, it seems like things are gearing up for an even faster pace of development all over the Metro.

I remember recently when someone on the forum prognosticated that the Lehi/Saratoga Springs/Eagle Mtn. area had seen it's days of hyper growth come to an end, probably never to return. Well, it would seem like that couldn't be further from the truth.

I predict it won't be long before the Cedar City/St. George area are topping growth lists again.

[Comrade]

So, I was able to find the rendering of the proposed 50-story tower that was planned for the current One Utah Center site.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by delts145

One map that shows Utah is the place to be right now

And explains why I split my time 90/10 living in Utah. Jobs, jobs, jobs!

[Comrade]

S.L County purchases land near courthouse for D.A. office building

Salt Lake County has completed the purchase of 3.1 acres on the northeast corner of 500 South and Main for a planned building for the district attorney's office.

The land was purchased for $9.1 million from Property Reserve Inc., a commercial real estate arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The planned office building will be constructed across the street from the Matheson Courthouse.

[Future Mayor]

Apparently the author of the article isn't at all familiar with Salt Lake City, unless there is some new road running north and south between 500 S and 400 S. I just sent her an e-mail telling her she might want to make that correction, because it will be located behind the courthouse on the same block, with no street to cross.

[SLC Projects]

"constructed across the street from the Matheson Courthouse" ???

Wouldn't that be City Hall?

Guess they meant, Behind Matheson Courthouse. Nevertheless, this is good news to hear that the DA is moving forward and I hope to get something that is at least 6-stories on Main.

[UTPlanner]

I normally only like to share good development news but I only have bad news about the La Porte project on State Street. There has been a lot of problems with that project from the very beginning. Many have been out of their control but others were definitely self inflicted. I'm sure you've noticed that there hasn't been any workers there over the last few weeks. I was speaking to a building inspector and he told me that there are significant design flaws. During inspection of the steel beams they found that none of the welds were holding up. They have been doing pressure tests and thus far all have failed. The steel installation will need to be completed redesigned. Meanwhile, there are huge cash flow issues as the project languishes.

[utenation]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

I normally only like to share good development news but I only have bad news about the La Porte project on State Street. There has been a lot of problems with that project from the very beginning. Many have been out of their control but others were definitely self inflicted. I'm sure you've noticed that there hasn't been any workers there over the last few weeks. I was speaking to a building inspector and he told me that there are significant design flaws. During inspection of the steel beams they found that none of the welds were holding up. They have been doing pressure tests and thus far all have failed. The steel installation will need to be completed redesigned. Meanwhile, there are huge cash flow issues as the project languishes.

[utenation]

Originally Posted by Comrade

So, I was able to find the rendering of the proposed 50-story tower that was planned for the current One Utah Center site.

That would have looked sweet in the middle of downtown.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by UTPlanner

I normally only like to share good development news but I only have bad news about the La Porte project on State Street. There has been a lot of problems with that project from the very beginning. Many have been out of their control but others were definitely self inflicted. I'm sure you've noticed that there hasn't been any workers there over the last few weeks. I was speaking to a building inspector and he told me that there are significant design flaws. During inspection of the steel beams they found that none of the welds were holding up. They have been doing pressure tests and thus far all have failed. The steel installation will need to be completed redesigned. Meanwhile, there are huge cash flow issues as the project languishes.

Is anyone surprised? The project took forever just to reach the construction phase. That's never good - especially for a project that wasn't even that big to begin with (sizable compared to some, but we're not talking a skyscraper here). It's disappointing because it's possible now the city has lost three decent and historic buildings that could have been rehabbed far easier, and probably cheaper, than what is happening on that site right now.

So, there is the very real possibility we'll have a gigantic hole there for the foreseeable future. Not exactly desirable for a major block in our city's center.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by ToysNoiz

I took a closer look, you're right. But the tan sides really make it look stucco. I don't like the design, but I'm glad that some people do. I personally don't want something like it in SLC.

I'm guessing you'd take Denver over Phoenix though.


Image from wikipedia


I personally like the look of the Denver hotel and would love to see something in that style on RWP.

[ToysNoiz]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I'm guessing you'd take Denver over Phoenix though.


I personally like the look of the Denver hotel and would love to see something in that style on RWP.

I'd take the Shilo over Phoenix.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Comrade

So, I was able to find the rendering of the proposed 50-story tower that was planned for the current One Utah Center site.

For an 80's design I think it's quite RAD!

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by utenation

That would have looked sweet in the middle of downtown.

I agree it would look cool sticking up out of the skyline but for the street level it has no appeal to me.

[delts145]

It certainly would have been more worthy of a moniker like "Utah One". At this point that title needs to be stolen by a tower far more worthy. I'd like to see CHASE continue to increase it's presence in Salt Lake, and build a tower sybolic of their World Status.