Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 4 - Page 130

Marvland · #**2581** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 12:49 AM**

I left this comment hanging by accident this morning but I thought I'd post it. I got a little confused by that fake Future_Mayor guy so now I'm responding to a ghost, but I wanted to post this anyway. I have a different view than many of our city's nightlife. It's still a developing scene, but it's really a fun one right now:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future_Mayor

The liquor laws themselves here limit having a single street with full blown nightlife. So good luck wanting to have a flown blown nightlife in SLC.

The only truly limiting factor limiting nightlife in SLC is the lack of social club licenses. That's a false and imposed scarcity. Sure, we have our wish list of items: Zion Curtain (will go away soon), and metered pours, which do nothing to limit consumption, are hot button issues. The single most limiting thing to our nightlife is the lack of non-3.2 draft beer. I would trade everything for real beer on draft, but that has more to do with the DABC not wanting to deal with refrigerated shipping.

I was at the UDABC commission meeting yesterday and the line for social club licenses is at 15. I know of at least 20 food and beverage openings scheduled for downtown this year.

And not every other city has a great downtown nightlife. Walk down the 16th Street mall in Denver at 10pm on a Tuesday. The mall dies, as in Twilight Zone. You will find a hollowed out ghost town. I wandered around the 300 S. Main-state block last night (Tuesday) and the 8 bars and ten restaurants were all alive and vibrant. We have a pretty sneaky bar scene and it's getting better as fast as any scene in the country.

Jerm · #**2582** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 8:17 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbillbillbill

Well, I guess that was taken care of...

anyways, does anyone have ideas of how the ESA could be more closely integrated into the Gateway. It seems the bulk (or former bulk) of restaurants are a block south of ESA and there just isn't much engagement between the two. Thoughts?

I thought ESA was integrated into the Gateway it should be EP I follow your idea

I came back to visit a few weeks ago got lucky to get some Jazz tickets. We drove I wanted to take FR and TRAX but my brother (from Orem) didn't want to. Having lived in the Bay Area caltrans and BART are the way to go getting to games/the city. Anyway we went to Gateway to get some drinks before the game I was disappointed there wasn't more of a game day atmosphere going on at the Gateway. Why is that I don't mini LA Live why not ? Gateway was boring as shit

Future Mayor · #**2583** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 2:24 PM**

Apparently making Gateway into more of an entertainment district isn't just something us development nerds think should happen. I was out with some people last night, and me and another guy were talking about rooftop bars, we were at Green Pig, and he then transitioned the conversation into The Gateway needing to be more of an entertainment district.

You are right Marvland the lack of licenses is a major obstacle in something like that happening though. Let the market determine how many bars/clubs there should be, not some arbitrary population ratio.

DCRes · #**2584** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 2:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by EPdesign

It begins. I saw their sign driving by today. I love it!!!

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dopo-restaurant-opening-at-the-gateway-264417891.html

I ate at DOPO a few months ago. The food was good, I enjoyed the Jazz music, and the staff was very friendly. The owner was even walking around greeting people. Only problem is that it wasn't very busy, so I hope it survives. A few weeks ago I planned to bring a group of 15 people for a birthday but when I called to make a reservation they said they were closed for the week because they were doing construction to the front end to open their 'to-go' portion of the business. Unfortunate for us and them that they missed our business.

Orlando · #**2585** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future_Mayor

I'm saying let's move on and stick to discussions of development.

His name copying of Future Mayor was silly, but not sure it warranted being banned. Kind of harsh. Why not just suspended? He was trying to avoid arguing, as evidenced by his multiple posts trying to get on topic.

SL,UT · #**2586** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

Apparently making Gateway into more of an entertainment district isn't just something us development nerds think should happen. I was out with some people last night, and me and another guy were talking about rooftop bars, we were at Green Pig, and he then transitioned the conversation into The Gateway needing to be more of an entertainment district.

You are right Marvland the lack of licenses is a major obstacle in something like that happening though. Let the market determine how many bars/clubs there should be, not some arbitrary population ratio.

An entertainment district at the gateway is such a great and progressive idea, however, a pipe dream. LD$ INC will never allow this to happen. Given how much influence they have in Utah politics I don't see this happening in the next 20 years in my opinion. Unless maybe the Gateway agrees to close on Sunday, and ban homosexuals from the grounds. Then they might be on board.

ToysNoiz · #**2587** Posted **Apr 30, 2015, 10:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL,UT

An entertainment district at the gateway is such a great and progressive idea, however, a pipe dream. LD$ INC will never allow this to happen. Given how much influence they have in Utah politics I don't see this happening in the next 20 years in my opinion. Unless maybe the Gateway agrees to close on Sunday, and ban homosexuals from the grounds. Then they might be on board.

You do realize that "LD$ INC"

doesn't own any part of the Gateway? Last I checked, Homosexuals aren't banned from City Creek..

Sir, I believe you are a silly one.

asies1981 · #**2588** Posted **May 1, 2015, 1:47 AM**

The City is seeking public input on current homeless services.

SL,UT · #**2589** Posted **May 1, 2015, 3:12 AM**

Whoa, I didn't say the church owned Gateway. I am just saying that even if developers decide to turn the gateway into an entertainment district, they will be met with some serious roadblocks and miles of red tape by the church. This is a very real possibility that people need to take into account if they really want the gateway to be redeveloped into a major night life center.

Future Mayor · #**2590** Posted **May 1, 2015, 3:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL,UT

Whoa, I didn't say the church owned Gateway. I am just saying that even if developers decide to turn the gateway into an entertainment district, they will be met with some serious roadblocks and miles of red tape by the church. This is a very real possibility that people need to take into account if they really want the gateway to be redeveloped into a major night life center.

The only road blocks that they would face are the availability of liquor licenses. Zoning (allowable uses) is in the cities hands, and they obviously already allow for bars, restaurants and entertainment destinations in The Gateway.

Please expound on how you feel the LDS church could hinder the transformation.

CountyLemonade · #**2591** Posted **May 1, 2015, 4:22 AM**

Hey, could we all just not respond to this guy with an axe to grind against a faith group? This is not the place for people of mean spirit, nor is this the place where we feed such individuals.

ajiuO · #**2592** Posted **May 1, 2015, 3:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCRes

I ate at DOPO a few months ago. The food was good, I enjoyed the Jazz music, and the staff was very friendly. The owner was even walking around greeting people. Only problem is that it wasn't very busy, so I hope it survives. A few weeks ago I planned to bring a group of 15 people for a birthday but when I called to make a reservation they said they were closed for the week because they were doing construction to the front end to open their 'to-go' portion of the business. Unfortunate for us and them that they missed our business.

Last weekend I walked by DOPO. There was a sign on the door that said they were closed until they can hire a new head chef.

Applebee's and Z Tejas.. Are also now closed. La Jolla Grove is always empty... So they won't be around long... I'm not sure how game time is doing but they have an awesome arcade.

There is a really cool candy and soda store at gateway... Hopfully they stick around.

A few stores that I expect to eventually close are Journey (City Creek), lensCrafters (City Creek), Rocky Mountain chocolate factory (city creek), La Jolla Grove (lack of business), Gamestop (Digital game cells will close slower stores), i'm really surprised that Ambacrombi and Fitch has stuck around... And the more stores and restaurants they close the less that the other ones are going to want to be there.... I think it's going to get a lot worse there before it gets better.

SL,UT · #**2593** Posted **May 1, 2015, 3:55 PM**

I may have been a tad bit facetious, but It is in fact my opinion. You are welcome to agree with me or disagree with me.

Like it or not, the church has an enormous influence in Utah politics, and I just don't see an entertainment district being set up at the Gateway in the near future. The only thing anchoring the Gateway right now in the Movie Theater, and the children's museum. If the gateway was going to turn into more of a nightlife hub, I would think that these too anchors would have to leave. They are both family oriented venues, and I wouldn't think parents would feel comfortable taking their kids there if there are bars and clubs around.

ajiuO · #**2594** Posted **May 1, 2015, 4:06 PM**

Does anyone know what the new store going in at city Creek Center is? It's on the East End of the mall, upper floor, South side of the Corredor. There's a mysterious black barricade much like was used when the Apple Store went in. It looks like it will be a pretty good size store... I think two stores were actually merged....

ajiuO · #**2595** Posted **May 1, 2015, 4:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL,UT

I may have been a tad bit facetious, but It is in fact my opinion. You are welcome to agree with me or disagree with me.

Like it or not, the church has an enormous influence in Utah politics, and I just don't see an entertainment district being set up at the Gateway in the near future. The only thing anchoring the Gateway right now in the Movie Theater, and the children's museum. If the gateway was going to turn into more of a nightlife hub, I would think that these too anchors would have to leave. They are both family oriented venues, and I wouldn't think parents would feel comfortable taking their kids there if there are bars and clubs around.

There is also the planetarium... It's to bad they ended the iMax deal with megaplex. Dicks is also an anchore.

I'm not sure where you're getting the idea that a entertainment district implies that it's going to be all bars. The movie theater, The children's museum, and the planetarium... Are forms of entertainment!!! How about a A bowling alley, comedy club? There are a lot of forms of entertainment... And who cares what the church or the state of Utah thinks? The mall is not owned by them. It's up to the owners of the mall to make this happen... It's not going to become a place filled with bars and strip clubs... No one is suggesting that. There is nothing wrong with having a couple of bars in there and it would be no different than Main Street.... And just because it's a good place for nightlife doesn't mean that there can't be a different day life purpose there.

Future Mayor · #**2596** Posted **May 1, 2015, 4:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SL,UT

I may have been a tad bit facetious, but It is in fact my opinion. You are welcome to agree with me or disagree with me.

Like it or not, the church has an enormous influence in Utah politics, and I just don't see an entertainment district being set up at the Gateway in the near future. The only thing anchoring the Gateway right now in the Movie Theater, and the children's museum. If the gateway was going to turn into more of a nightlife hub, I would think that these too anchors would have to leave. They are both family oriented venues, and I wouldn't think parents would feel comfortable taking their kids there if there are bars and clubs around.

Movie theaters are often times part of an entertainment district, as they are in fact an entertainment venue. Bars and clubs do their business in the evening, well after the Children's Museum closes. My suggestion isn't to be all bars and clubs, mix in a few main stream places like BWW, maybe try to lure Hard Rock back, restaurants that can transform to a more 21 over theme later in the night, throw in the Bowling Alley, a bar/club or two a half dozen retailers, such as VS and AF as well as some local ones, along with a grocery or drug store. This mix serves needs of day and night time populations, and I don't see a conflict with the theaters and museum.

Yes we all know that the LDS church has strong political muscles in the state, however that is simply a blanket statement, I still am unclear how exactly they could stop Gateway from morphing into a place as described above.

scottharding · #**2597** Posted **May 1, 2015, 4:59 PM**

I saw a play at the Gateway a few weeks ago. The space that used to be The Buckle has been converted into art space, and the performance company installed a temporary performing space, with normal seating and also dinner-theater seating. They had a bar as well. Aside from some sound issues, it was actually great. I think if the Gateway invested a little bit in building out a more permanent space for small plays, dance, stand up comedy, or spoken work stuff, with a bar, it could be good. But it would be competing with the nearby Complex.
I also think they should look at leasing some of the available retail space as art studios for painting, photography, video, and classes. There's a lot the Gateway can do if they would just get away from the notion of being a mall and think of themselves more as a neighborhood.

Future Mayor · #**2598** Posted **May 1, 2015, 5:04 PM**

I think that art galleries art a great suggestion for an interum use at the Gateway, it would be a great location for a monthly gallery strol, and the existing shops would probably welcome ththe increased traffic. I think a couple of galleries would be a great long term fit as well.

Orlando · #**2599** Posted **May 1, 2015, 8:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by asies1981

The City is seeking public input on current homeless services.

Great article Asies! I didn't know that Salt Lake has actually made some impressive strides with homelessness. Also, this new Commission is encouraging.

Comrade · #**2600** Posted **May 1, 2015, 8:57 PM**

The entertainment district is probably not as likely with the structuring of our liquor laws and the limitations of licenses and club/bar locations in a general area. It's a pipe dream, but a fun one to have for the day the state eases up its restrictions.