Salt Lake:Official development news thread - Page 194

Future Mayor · #**3861** Posted **Feb 28, 2008, 8:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makid

SLC has option to buy historic theater as mayor pushes effort to create arts district

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8394560

That's pretty impressive that the mayors brother is going to do this for free and he has a very impressive background to head up the project.

Here's to Mayor Becker

BTW, I'll be more than happy to accept your funding pledges.

wrendog · #**3862** Posted **Feb 28, 2008, 8:49 PM**

that would be awesome! I'm not an arts guy by any stretch of the imagination, but I know that it would be vital for downtown SLC. It will bring people downtown, and those people will need to eat, so let's get a restaurant district!

Makid · #**3863** Posted **Feb 28, 2008, 9:21 PM**

I personally like the idea of using the Utah Theater. This is already in a perfect place. The renovations would take less time then building a new theater and more people would get to experience the inside of this gem.

delts145 · #**3864** Posted **Feb 28, 2008, 11:19 PM**

I would love to see the Utah/Pantages used for this, but wasn't that already ruled out. My understanding was that they had decided to use the Utah as a smaller venue, and build a larger theatre from scratch for Broadway productions.

Comrade · #**3865** Posted **Feb 28, 2008, 11:26 PM**

Plus, the idea of having the theatre on Main Street is a huge plus, as well. Especially that part of Main Street, which is kinda right in the middle of the Gallivan Center and the future CCC. It will only do more to bridge the gap between northern downtown and southern downtown -- that is important!

airhero · #**3866** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 5:18 AM**

I completely agree Comrade. I am sick of seeing that gap every time I go into Salt Lake.

T-Mac · #**3867** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 5:27 AM**

Alright guys, here are my photos from today.

Kirtland Condos

Church History Building

T-Mac · #**3868** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 6:35 AM**

Sorry power went out. Here is the one on 35 W 300 S

Comrade · #**3869** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 7:31 AM**

Why?!?

Why?

Why!?!

delts145 · #**3870** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 12:10 PM**

SLC gets into gear on 'grand theater'/ Mayor recruits his Broadway-fame brother to 'make it happen fast'

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_8403366?source=rv

Deseret Morning News, Drawing shows revamped Utah Theater in Salt Lake.

The move comes as Sandy makes its play for a similar 2,500-seat, $50 million theater in that suburb, though industry insiders - and Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan - insist the Salt Lake Valley could support only one large venue.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker announces the city's plans for a Broadway-style theater and the appointment of his brother, William Becker, to spearhead the theater development plan. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News)

...Bill Becker, who has volunteered his services, spent 30 years as legal counsel at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Since 2001, his company TheatreDreams has co-produced four Broadway productions; acquired, restored and operated The Chicago Theatre; and managed the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
"I have been effectively commissioned to make it happen and make it happen fast," said Bill Becker, who praised Salt Lake City for its "extraordinary advantages" as a cultural hub.

Related Story:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695257471,00.html

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News

.

jedikermit · #**3871** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 12:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Why?!?

Why?

Why!?!

Which one? Or ones?

RE the Pantages/Utah Theater...

Are they looking at a straightforward remodel/renovation? It's a great location, and what they have to work with is beautiful, but it wouldn't solve some of the problems that touring companies have had of small theaters. It seems like they'd need to expand everything quite a bit--seating, the stage, the backstage area--to really get the "Broadway Style Theater" that we need to attract the touring shows (and compete with Sandy).

jedikermit · #**3872** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 12:57 PM**

Never mind. I just read the articles, and they answered some of my questions I've had about this location from the beginning. I'd love to see this happen.

Negotiations also are under way with Rocky Mountain Power to move its substation behind Utah Theater farther west, according to architect Prescott Muir, whose firm is completing a arts-district master plan.
Muir says the move would allow for an expansion of the theater, which is not on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as space for loading docks.
"We have the latitude of maintaining those features that give people the essence of the old theater, but still provide a state-of-the-art theater," he said.
Eventually, Muir says, the fly lofts - the spaces above the Utah Theater and Capitol Theatre stages - could be connected. Parking could be planned underground, while the nearby Regent Street garage would provide a backup.
Though the Utah Theater was constructed with 1,500 seats - in 1918 - Muir says expansion by some 1,000 chairs is possible. Seats then may be stripped from Capitol Theatre to improve sight lines there.
"That way they make a great complement."

delts145 · #**3873** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 1:27 PM**

I had the same questions Jedi. I hope the old Pantages/Utah gets the nod on this. How great would that be for Downtown Salt Lake to have the Rose Wagner, The Capital and right around the corner, The Utah.

Sight-Seer · #**3874** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 3:02 PM**

With old buildings there are always seismic problems to solve, which can be very expensive. It's usually worth it, though. It looks like Salt Lake it getting serious about the arts district.

Future Mayor · #**3875** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 3:05 PM**

I love the fact that the Utah/Pantages could be expanded to reach the 2,500 seat goal. There is something about historic theaters that are now state of the art that appeals to me as an occasional patron of the arts. There is an substantial theater district here in Cleveland that almost met the wrecking ball in the 80's but was saved. There is a total of 6 theaters in Playhouse Square, one is brand new, another had lost it's original glory but the other four have all been restored to their original glory and they are are truly works of art. Five of the six are interconnected, and two of them required a new stage and back stage area to be built during renovation.

Connecting the Capital and Utah/Pantages with rear loading docks and new back stage areas. Having the larger 2,500 seat Pantages and the more intimate Capital would provide great flexibility for shows coming through town. We could have the Nutcracker and another show in downtown during the holidays.

Again here's to you Mayor Becker and your Bro.

"Hey Dolan, BITE ME!" Sincerely, MRB!

urbanboy · #**3876** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 4:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Mac

They should keep the brick base!!!!! Then it might actually look good!

SLC Projects · #**3877** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 4:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedikermit

Which one? Or ones?

I think comrade was talking about what the crews are doing to the base of the 35 W 300 S building.

Orlando · #**3878** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 4:58 PM**

I know it might not look all that great right now, but the architect is the same architect that designed the Metropolitan restaurant just a block away to the west.

delts145 · #**3879** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 5:14 PM**

The finished product could actually look much better than the rendering. So far I'm liking the awning. With the chain supports, it has an authentic, historic feel to it.

SLC Projects · #**3880** Posted **Feb 29, 2008, 5:18 PM**

I'm not sure if I like it yet or not. I'm just going to have to wait and see how it turns out.