Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Page 170

delts145 · #**3381** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 1:00 PM**

Well, as positioned on that map, the Towers Project will certainly give Sandy some dramatic views from I-15.

Scaperdude, please don't despair about Downtown Salt Lake City being left out in the cold. I have very high expectations (and I'm not just talking, 'cross my fingers and hope here') for Mayor Becker. I think there is a tremendous amount of activisism in the Downtown sector now. We also now have a Mayor who is well-liked and admired, even in our metro to the north, which commutes heavily into downtown Salt Lake. Previously, wrong or right the communities of Weber and Davis literally despised Rocky Anderson. The communities of South Salt Lake Valley and Utah Valley felt set-up for ridicule by him because of core beliefs, which they held as sacred. And, I personally know for a fact that many who are now in City Hall, and will play an integral part in moving Downtown forward over the next few years, felt a lot of trepidation over Rocky's mood swings. These were not Molly Mormons either, but liberal non-LDS democrats.

I think that Mayor Anderson had a lot of important,positive and forward ideas on his agenda. Some of these ideas took hold and have flourished. However, in a perfect world, I would have wished Ralph Becker had been elected at least 4 years earlier. Not only is he forward, progressive and an urban planner, he is also a great humanist, and understands how to play well with his fellow humanity.

Salt Lake City can't stop cities like Sandy or Lehi from competing for the spot-light, any more than L.A., Denver or Seattle can stop similar situations that it deals with regularly. But, I think that Salt Lake now has a far more enchanced competitive position with it's new Mayor, than before. I could go on and on about my positive attitude over Mr. Becker. Let's just say that I think Salt Lake City will continue it's current road of success, and now with this new Mayor, it will even accelerate it's progress.

delts145 · #**3382** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 2:09 PM**

Holladay to get its 'European village' - Taxing entities give OK to mall owner's plans

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695245506,00.html

cityofholladay.com

HOLLADAY - The second-largest owner of malls in the United States was given official go-ahead by a committee of taxing entities Friday to build a mixed-use development in place of the Cottonwood Mall.

.

delts145 · #**3383** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 2:22 PM**

Downtown interest strong, SLC condo market remains 'healthy'

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8015974?source=rv

Project architect Mark Stonehocker takes a look at The Metro, downtown condos scheduled to be ready this summer. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Interior finishing is under way at The Metro condominiums at 350 S. 200 East. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune

"The condo market is very healthy," De Lay said. "And I think it's going to continue to be healthy because more people want to downsize and simplify their lifestyle."
In some areas, condos are being marketed as a more affordable alternative to single-family homes. In other cases - especially in downtown Salt Lake City - their appeal lies in their low-maintenance (or maintenance-free) lifestyle

.

jedikermit · #**3384** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 2:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by arkhitektor

This is actually a part of the "What were we thinking" anti-smoking camaign.
http://www.tobaccofreeutah.org/thinking.html
It was made to look like a cafe from the 60's with everyone smoking inside, but it appears that the smoke machines weren't working when you passed by.

that explains why they were ugly, poorly dressed mannequins, I suppose...

SLC Projects · #**3385** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

sounds like you're selling out SLCProjects. ... Sandy getting towers is bad news for DT SLC and for the hopes of a true urban core in our lifetime.

I really don't think it's that bad of a project. And no this will not take away from downtown Salt Lake. This project will benefit people here on the South end of the valley.
I'm not saying Sandy is the "New downtown" But it's becoming a destination. This project will give Sandy City a more of a Urban feel. Now if they could just add a trax line down 10000 South that would be cool.

Future Mayor · #**3386** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 6:05 PM**

While I'm totally against Sandy building a Broadway Style theater I don't care if they get a couple of towers. I think it will help with the overall business climate of the region. I don't however think that Sandy getting a couple of 20 + story towers will at all effect DT SLC becoming an Urban Core. Interesting note on the towers, a month ago these two towers were proposed at being 30+ floors each, interesting how in less than a month there has been a total decrease of 20 floors. I wouldn't be surprised to see Sandy build a theater in the Civic Center area but it won't be to the scale they are hoping. I am positive the county won't give them ZAP money, or hotel money for a theater and I would be shocked if the legislature went around the county decision on this one. Sandy will get a theater but the true Broadway style theater will land in DT Salt Lake. With CCC going in you know that the LDS Church will but it's muscle behind a new theater in the proposed arts district. I honestly expect to hear an announcement of a new theater in downtown Salt Lake City by the end of 2008.

While Sandy may continue to grow and add new buildings to it's civic center, it won't change the decision of those people that are looking to stay in Utah and live in an urban/downtown environment. If you think about it, there are really only three places along the Wasatch Front that people could even come close to an urban living environment, DT Ogden, DT Provo, and DT Salt Lake City. These three locations are really the only area that have an already established core that is not centered around a suburban style shopping center. Until Civic Center Sandy expands south and South Town center is redeveloped into a non suburban Mall(ie Cottonwood) Sandy will still never compete as an urban core.

Young singles 20-40, d.i.n.k.s. and empty nesters that want to simplify their lives and enjoy what a city has to offer will not be eying Sandy as the place to be. DT SLC is still the heart of the region and will continue as such.

I will agree 100% with Delts that I think Mayor Becker is the right Mayor for SLC at this point in time.

wrendog · #**3387** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 6:52 PM**

I like the project in Sandy. Most major metros have another "downtown". Bellevue for Seattle, Sandy Springs in Atlanta etc. etc. I think it will be cool. I do agree, however, with future mayor that the broadway theater should NOT be in Sandy.

Scraperdude801 · #**3388** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 7:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

Well, as positioned on that map, the Towers Project will certainly give Sandy some dramatic views from I-15.

Scaperdude, please don't despair about Downtown Salt Lake City being left out in the cold. I have very high expectations (and I'm not just talking, 'cross my fingers and hope here') for Mayor Becker. I think there is a tremendous amount of activisism in the Downtown sector now. We also now have a Mayor who is well-liked and admired, even in our metro to the north, which commutes heavily into downtown Salt Lake. Previously, wrong or right the communities of Weber and Davis literally despised Rocky Anderson. The communities of South Salt Lake Valley and Utah Valley felt set-up for ridicule by him because of core beliefs, which they held as sacred. And, I personally know for a fact that many who are now in City Hall, and will play an integral part in moving Downtown forward over the next few years, felt a lot of trepidation over Rocky's mood swings. These were not Molly Mormons either, but liberal non-LDS democrats.

I think that Mayor Anderson had a lot of important,positive and forward ideas on his agenda. Some of these ideas took hold and have flourished. However, in a perfect world, I would have wished Ralph Becker had been elected at least 4 years earlier. Not only is he forward, progressive and an urban planner, he is also a great humanist, and understands how to play well with his fellow humanity.

Salt Lake City can't stop cities like Sandy or Lehi from competing for the spot-light, any more than L.A., Denver or Seattle can stop similar situations that it deals with regularly. But, I think that Salt Lake now has a far more enchanced competitive position with it's new Mayor, than before. I could go on and on about my positive attitude over Mr. Becker. Let's just say that I think Salt Lake City will continue it's current road of success, and now with this new Mayor, it will even accelerate it's progress.

I agree that everything looks lined up and jolly for DT salt lake. I have lived here to long hoever to have that sort of optimism for SLC. I know that great things are happening, and more will come, but I hate to see stupid development because utah is already full of it. ... I still feel that while things look good for SLC right now, that Sandy getting towers is not good news for me. If SLC had serious plans for office towers besides HP, like say 5, and sandy got two 20 story towers then I probably wouldn't care as much. ... However it is evident that at this point in time we do not. We have a mall going in with some residential towers backed by the church who pretty much have an unlimited bank roll. ... HP - as slow as they are, are the only ones who have broken ground on anything with some height in our city core for sometime.

I know we can't stop sandy from getting these towers, but I am not going to be posting bananas and smiling because they steal the stadium, attract a developer to get a theater before us, and capitalize on the need for office space.

delts145 · #**3389** Posted **Jan 19, 2008, 7:17 PM**

Totally understood Scaperdude, while there is a lot going on downtown in the way of projects like the Metro and Broadway Lofts etc., I would definately like to see some additional towers from Wasatch Partners and others. Let's hope for some clarification on these mystery towers in the near future.

WASDEN · #**3390** Posted **Jan 20, 2008, 1:04 AM**

Is it just me or does a "European Village" just look a little out of place in the middle of Holliday? I don't think we need another Gateway/Disney Land development, how about something Utahn? (with good design principles of course)

delts145 · #**3391** Posted **Jan 20, 2008, 1:48 PM**

I'm thinking Wasden that this development is a cut above your typical mall/lifestyle center. Reviewing the information and looking at the renderings of specific sections of the development, it would seem that this is something very well thought-out, and hopefully when finally executed will be at that top-quality level. The real Eurpope is not at all Disneyesque, or Las Vegas Cheeky. Hopefully, this will have the feel of a real community and not something faux.

delts145 · #**3392** Posted **Jan 20, 2008, 2:05 PM**

Defining downtown: Various groups draw different boundaries

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695245241,00.html

Deseret Morning News Graphic

Jeffrey D.Allred

Keith Johnson

Jeffrey D. Allred

The way Utah residents define Salt Lake City's downtown is evolving beyond the blocks around Main Street and Temple Square. These days, downtown - depending on who defines it - can span as far east as the University of Utah, as far west as the Jordan River, north to Temple Square and south to 1300 South.

.

jedikermit · #**3393** Posted **Jan 20, 2008, 5:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

The real Eurpope is not at all Disneyesque, or Las Vegas Cheeky. Hopefully, this will have the feel of a real community and not something faux.

When it comes down to it, putting Europe in Utah is faux. And cheesy. And Disneyesque. "the real Europe" took hundreds of years to build...doing something in five is going to end up looking out of place and siphon energy and funding from other projects.

Hopefully I'm wrong and this will become a nice little place, and the developers aren't promising more than they can deliver.

Comrade · #**3394** Posted **Jan 20, 2008, 6:58 PM**

Generally when you build a faux-(whatever style), it comes off as cheap and doesn't look nearly as good as what you get with the real thing. This will probably be the case, since I doubt they will use the supplies that make European cities spectacular. If anything, it's going to look like a blatant knockoff, which then generally looks stupid.

But I still maintain I don't see this development going through, at least not at this level.

delts145 · #**3395** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 2:28 PM**

mycottonwoodmall.com

I think this has a very attractive itimacy of scale. It is obvious that throuhout the Village, pedestrian rules over the auto. When Europe is used as a catch-phrase, that can be somewhat misleading. The image of Europe immediately evokes a picture of 'old Europe.' In talking with Holladay City, and certain developers, this is not the plan to create a feeling of an 'old Europe'. The layout, mixed use attributes, etc. are meant to utilize those European planning standards, which have proven very positive over the years. The actual visual aesthetic is more a vision of 'new Europe/new America.' Paris, Berlin, and Rome are still very adherent to the tried and true principals of Urbanism in their newly developing suburbs, but the visual is often more what we see here, or ultra comtemporary.

If the proper finishing materials are used in comtemporary Europe or America, the result will be very attractive. This development can be finished in a way that will be very attractive, and a big additional plus to the entire Metro. The physical shapes of the buildings, their scale and layout are already in the right column. Let's just hope that the materials used for the 'frosting on the cake' are of a level of quality, sophistication and taste, that evoke an appreciation of the finished product, and not materials such as an over-abundance of new-age stucco or ridiculously faux-looking brick.

..

Sight-Seer · #**3396** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 8:17 PM**

So how are we supposed to get "real" European-style buildings in Utah? Since moving some here is difficult, I guess you either don't have European-style buildings, or they'll have to be copies. There are lots of European copies. Washington DC is full of them. In fact, strictly Utah-style buildings would be small adobe huts. Is that better? Everything else is a copy of something from somewhere else.

IdahoMountainBoy · #**3397** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 8:41 PM**

Omitting the architectural nuances, this design is typical neotraditional urban design. Yes, it draws heavily from European footprints but is also an indication of our regression to pre 1930s pedestrian-centered infrastructure. Who cares if it's ultimate attempt is to emulate Europe? That cannot be accomplished in SLC or any other Sunbelt Metro for that matter. The importance is the layout itself...

SLC Projects · #**3398** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 8:49 PM**

Ok so now we dislike the "Cottonwood project" as well. It might not be a "real" European-style, but at least they are trying to make this project a one of a kind here in Utah. At least it will not be like another Gateway.
But we can just add that to the list of projects we dislike under the sugarhouse project and the CCC. I guess we should of just left it as a indoor empty mall.

delts145 · #**3399** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 9:15 PM**

I will go on the record as very positive about this project. I think this will be a great addition to the Valley and Metro. I agree with IdahoMountainBoy that layout is the main concern here, and I think the layout of this project is exceptional. I also am a big fan of the layout of Gateway. While I would like to add a little more natural stone here and there, over-all I think Gateway is a big plus for downtown.

Future Mayor · #**3400** Posted **Jan 21, 2008, 9:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by delts145

I will go on the record as very positive about this project. I think this will be a great addition to the Valley and Metro. I agree with IdahoMountainBoy that layout is the main concern here, and I think the layout of this project is exceptional. I also am a big fan of the layout of Gateway. While I would like to add a little more natural stone here and there, over-all I think Gateway is a big plus for downtown.

I will second that motion.

Ok it wasn't really a motion but I'll go ahead and second it anyway. And yes I do think I'm funny.