Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 4

[nushiof]

Here's a look at the new convention center hotel almost finished in Cleveland. Feels like an arms race among mid-size cities to build new convention hotels. I'd be happy with something like this in SLC. This one has 600 rooms and is 32 floors, so ours could conceivable be even taller.

[delts145]

I like it, particularly as its design would engage and fit on that north plot of the CC or even the south plot. The corner design is particularly attractive. Hmm, that's only 600 rooms...seems bigger than that in the rendering. We really do need a taller more slender section for our CCH, breaking it up with perhaps a shorter tower in the mix, but NOT a giant 'one size fits all' wall.

[Future Mayor]

I too love that design, and I agree that something like that would go nicely in either the north or south locations.

On a side note, being a Clevelander (second to SLC of course) that's a great addition to the Mall, and by mall I don't mean a Gateway type mall, I am referring to a Washington Mall type of Mall.

As for the midsize city convention competition, the Salt Palace and Cleveland convention center aren't comparable in the size of conventions they can attract.
Cleveland Convention Center, 268,000 sf, including 11,000 in an adjoining facility.
Salt Palace Convention Center 700,000 sf

As for hotel rooms, if you compare sheer numbers we are well ahead at 6,900, I don't know if it counts the new VSA (ESA) Hyatt but with the VSA Courtyard that puts us well over 7,000 in the downtown/Convention area. While ThisIsCleveland.com puts there downtown count at "nearly 5,000" so even with their new 600 room convention hotel that puts them around 5,500.

So yes if you count rooms to Convention Center square footage ratio Cleveland is well ahead of us. By the raw numbers square footage and total number of rooms, we aren't competing with cities like Cleveland.

[SLC Projects]

A small arm race of smaller cities for a CCH and we are the horse in last place with a broken leg.

[Boz]

Lame.

[delts145]

As the cultural and business heart of what has become one of the larger and fastest growing CSA's on the continent, Salt Lake City is by no means a small city competing in the same league for convention goers of other smaller cities. At this juncture the Salt Lake City convention draw is competing for much the same larger conventions as Denver, San Diego, Seattle, even Vegas and the like. While Vegas has a very exceptional draw in comparison to most markets, so does Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is becoming one of the major alternatives to Vegas, and believe me, there are many who want an alternative.

Like many, I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable with the Omni attitude on several fronts. I'm glad local leaders stood up to Omni. I think we can ultimately get a much better deal for both the convention business and the local economy by giving this process a few months more time.

[arkhitektor]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

That's brilliant. Why would they not? I mean, yeah. Costs and stuff. But what better message about their business? That would make a huge impression and get mentioned by sportscasters every game.

I think that Vivint Solar is an entirely seperate company from the rest of Vivint, wasn't it recently bought by SunEdison? Maybe that's why they've put 'smart home' in the new name of the arena- to differntiate the two companies?

[linguisize]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

I think that Vivint Solar is an entirely seperate company from the rest of Vivint, wasn't it recently bought by SunEdison? Maybe that's why they've put 'smart home' in the new name of the arena- to differntiate the two companies?

That was my guess. Vivint is now a conglomerate of sorts, and the 'smart home' group is the Vivint that paid for the advertising.

[JMK]

A grocer has moved in to the old Whole Foods space on 400 S

Salt Lake City gets its first Natural Grocers

Salt Lake City residents have a new source for organic produce, meats, breads and other foods with the opening this week of Natural Grocers.

The 15,000-square-foot store is at 645 E. 400 South, in the space once occupied by its main competitor, Whole Foods. Sprouts, a third organic-natural food chain, is a few blocks to the north.

The store's grand opening is Tuesday.

The signature offering at all Natural Grocers is an all-organic produce section. The aisles also contain many organic and natural food items from flours and nuts to seeds and spices as well as sodas, teas, coffees, crackers, frozen foods and many gluten-free items. There also are about a dozen Utah-made products, with more planned in the future.

http://www.sltrib.com/entertainment/3095352-155/salt-lake-city-gets-its-first

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

I think that Vivint Solar is an entirely seperate company from the rest of Vivint, wasn't it recently bought by SunEdison? Maybe that's why they've put 'smart home' in the new name of the arena- to differntiate the two companies?

Boo.

[delts145]

I was just getting use to saying Energy Solutions Arena. I like the idea of the Vivint Arena though. Maybe Vivint will stick around longer as a sponsor name.

Liberty Crest below is described as an upscale offering, reflecting it's Regent Tower and CCC neighbors to the West. I hope that means they're going to bury those ugly power lines on that block.


UtahProjects.info[/CENTER

[s.p.hansen]

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

I think that Vivint Solar is an entirely seperate company from the rest of Vivint, wasn't it recently bought by SunEdison? Maybe that's why they've put 'smart home' in the new name of the arena- to differntiate the two companies?

You are correct that is was spun off and then sold off later on. But it doesn't change the fact that it was birthed by Vivint and retains the name. It was the single largest solar installer in the United States last year. That's a kick 🞵🞵🞵 legacy for Utah.

I mean it make sense that a company trying to find ways to sell you every kind of technology for your home would figure out how to make solar panel installation an effective product to sell.

The whole revolution happening in green energy right now is a mixture of better technology making things cheaper (with higher volume) and better ways of financing these things so that average people can take advantage of them. Vivint Solar has come up with a plan for financing home solar that has made it practical.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Vivint Solar's headquarters still in Utah?

[Makid]

Vivint is HQ'd in Utah County

Vivint Solar will be HQ'd in Lehi.

Solar City will have a regional HQ in SLC somewhere.

Between Vivint Solar and Solar City, They are hiring about 9,000 office workers for their respective HQ locations in the state. This is a big boon for the area and should hopefully help attract additional green energy companies and jobs.

[Liberty Wellsian]

I doubt I need to credit this image but here is a link anyway orbitz.com


It's probably asking too much but this is the scale I'm hoping for the CCH. The Westin New York is ~530 feet/774 rooms.

[Liberty Wellsian]

^Maybe The county could lease Reagan electric signage ala that picture in return for removing quit a few billboards.

[nushiof]

Here another comparable from Kansas City. This is their new convention hotel which will have 800 rooms is under construction to be completed in 2017/18. I'm not a fan of this design and it's only 30 floors and 360 feet. We need to go taller in SLC. This is a real opportunity for a developer to build an iconic building in SLC, a new tallest, and something that will stand out from all angles of the skyline.

[spoonman]

Originally Posted by delts145

As the cultural and business heart of what has become one of the larger and fastest growing CSA's on the continent, Salt Lake City is by no means a small city competing in the same league for convention goers of other smaller cities. At this juncture the Salt Lake City convention draw is competing for much the same larger conventions as Denver, San Diego, Seattle, even Vegas and the like. While Vegas has a very exceptional draw in comparison to most markets, so does Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is becoming one of the major alternatives to Vegas, and believe me, there are many who want an alternative.

Like many, I was beginning to feel very uncomfortable with the Omni attitude on several fronts. I'm glad local leaders stood up to Omni. I think we can ultimately get a much better deal for both the convention business and the local economy by giving this process a few months more time.

Competing with Seattle and Denver is not the same as competing with San Diego or Las Vegas...

Here are the top destinations in 2014 from Cvent...SLC is an up and coming destination, but neither SLC, Denver, or Seattle are very close to the top 10.

Cvent Reveals 2014 List of Top 50 Meeting Destinations
in the United States

The top 10 cities are:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Orlando, FL
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Atlanta, GA
5. San Diego, CA
6. New York, NY
7. Dallas, TX
8. Washington, D.C.
9. New Orleans, LA
10.Nashville, TN
See more at: http://www.cvent.com/en/company/cvent-to...d-states-2014.shtml#sthash.KAkcAIQW.dpuf

[Liberty Wellsian]

Originally Posted by spoonman

Competing with Seattle and Denver is not the same as competing with San Diego or Las Vegas...

Here are the top destinations in 2014 from Cvent...SLC is an up and coming destination, but neither SLC, Denver, or Seattle are very close to the top 10.

Cvent Reveals 2014 List of Top 50 Meeting Destinations
in the United States

The top 10 cities are:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Orlando, FL
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Atlanta, GA
5. San Diego, CA
6. New York, NY
7. Dallas, TX
8. Washington, D.C.
9. New Orleans, LA
10.Nashville, TN
See more at: http://www.cvent.com/en/company/cvent-to...d-states-2014.shtml#sthash.KAkcAIQW.dpuf

SLC is 48th on that list. At first that might sound discouraging but I think it shows ample room for growth. Denver is 14th. Smart investment should pay off nicely.

[Tymtw12]

Originally Posted by Wasatch_One

And as for Domo having the offices at the Walker Center... that was the case, but I recently heard that this has changed and they will no longer use the space.

They have actually recently agreed to take significantly more space at the Walker Center, which is great news for downtown. Look for them to do some creative things with their space involving the roof.

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Liberty Wellsian

SLC is 48th on that list. At first that might sound discouraging but I think it shows ample room for growth. Denver is 14th. Smart investment should pay off nicely.

48th is exactly where SLC's MSA ranks. In other words, SLC really isn't well known for conventions, especially considering the CSA ranking.