Salt Lake MSA Development Thread - Page 201

SLC Projects · #**4001** Posted **Nov 14, 2013, 7:00 AM**

That hotel on 53rd is going to be big.

DCRes · #**4002** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 4:29 PM**

Atlas posted this link on the U of U page. The mid-valley health center is set to be built just north of Fashion Place. I think it's a fairly attractive building and I don't think it's been discussed on this forum yet.

http://facilities.utah.edu/projects/...ley-health.php

SLC Projects · #**4003** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 6:16 PM**

Will it be right on state street?

Future Mayor · #**4004** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 6:19 PM**

I think it's going to be across the street north of Dillards and East of Huka. There used to be a small 1 story office/retail development there that has been torn down.

jedikermit · #**4005** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 8:36 PM**

No pictures (because I never do), but some of the buildings at Fairbourne Station are topping out, and they're putting roofing and materials on them; lots of progress on all of the residential components there (don't remember if they were condos or apts), but there are at least two of them that have topped out. They get closer to the TRAX station (east end of the development) than I expected.

EPdesign · #**4006** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 11:29 PM**

Fairbourne Station

SLC Projects · #**4007** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 11:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedikermit

No pictures (because I never do), but some of the buildings at Fairbourne Station are topping out, and they're putting roofing and materials on them; lots of progress on all of the residential components there (don't remember if they were condos or apts), but there are at least two of them that have topped out. They get closer to the TRAX station (east end of the development) than I expected.

Just to be clear, it's going to be one big building when finish, not a group of buildings. It's kind of weird the way the apartment building is going up. From what I've seen ( and I drive by this everyday ) the developers are building it piece by piece building more upwards instead of outwards first.

EPdesign · #**4008** Posted **Nov 19, 2013, 11:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

Just to be clear, it's going to be one big building when finish, not a group of buildings. It's kind of weird the way the apartment building is going up. From what I've seen ( and I drive by this everyday ) the developers are building it piece by piece building more upwards instead of outwards first.

Projects, you're right. On the other side, there is a segment of the residential units topped out but the rest has yet to be built. it is interesting that this is how they are building

JMK · #**4009** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 4:38 PM**

New aquarium taking shape in Draper as opening date nears
Salt lake Tribune, Nov 18 2013

Quote:

On Friday, the aquarium’s founder and CEO, Brent Andersen, led the news media on a tour of the facility’s new 136,000-square-foot home now under construction at 12033 Lone Peak Parkway in Draper.

The aquarium, set to open late next month, will feature a two-story "Journey to South America" exhibit, a slot canyon with species unique to Utah and a 300,000-gallon shark tank along with scores of other displays.

Link:
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57...llion.html.csp
Photo Gallery:
http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/...67&pid=5687482

brankrom · #**4010** Posted **Nov 20, 2013, 5:35 PM**

Looking at those pics I find it hard to believe the aquarium will be opening next month...

Hatman · #**4011** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 2:31 AM**

Wasn't the plan at one time to build the aquarium close to the intermodal hub? If so, what caused those plans to change? While I dislike how far away this new site is from anything UTA, I will still definitely be going for a visit.

SLC Projects · #**4012** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 3:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatman

Wasn't the plan at one time to build the aquarium close to the intermodal hub? If so, what caused those plans to change? While I dislike how far away this new site is from anything UTA, I will still definitely be going for a visit.

I think it all just came down to cheaper land.

Future Mayor · #**4013** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 3:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatman

Wasn't the plan at one time to build the aquarium close to the intermodal hub? If so, what caused those plans to change? While I dislike how far away this new site is from anything UTA, I will still definitely be going for a visit.

The property they first wanted was located on the NW corner of 400 S and 500 W. They weren't able to raise the funds necessary to go through with the purchase of the property. The problem at that time however was that they didn't have any sort of Aquarium to get people interested, they seemed to have wanted to simply the final huge aquarium from the get go. Once that property fell through they finally opened up the small aquarium in the gateway, which got people interested, which demanded more space leading them to Sandy, eventually leading them to their new location. The issue they had once they lost the option on the downtown parcel is that simply went with the cheapest available land, that had some visibility and access. IMO, they didn't take into account a few key items; 1) spill over visitors, such as people downtown for other reasons, such as the farmers market, shopping, another museum, etc 2) They didn't take into account the out of state visitors market. Those people in town for skiing, to visit Temple Square, or for a convention. Locating where they did, this portion of their potential business will be zero. Someone that is in town for a convention, staying downtown, not renting a car, isn't going to suddenly decide to venture into the burbs to see an aquarium, whereas if it were located downtown the likely hood of them visiting spontaneously is substantially higher.

The thing with downtown is that they wouldn't loose any of the school kid visits, and I also doubt they would loose much of the regular business that they will be getting. So they basically choose a cheaper location and ultimately reduced the number of potential visitors.

UTPlanner · #**4014** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 5:30 PM**

It had nothing to do with cheaper land. The SLC RDA was prepared to almost give them the land. What it really came down to was that Draper City was willing to help significantly finance the project.

billbillbillbill · #**4015** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 5:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

The thing with downtown is that they wouldn't loose any of the school kid visits, and I also doubt they would loose much of the regular business that they will be getting. So they basically choose a cheaper location and ultimately reduced the number of potential visitors.

I think the location is very short sited and will prevent the aquarium from becoming a regional attraction. I think they are focused on a clientele of suburban families with minivans. I know we have had a membership there almost continually since our first kid was old enough to walk. I would say most of my wife's friends do too. It is the easy take the kids somewhere warm with other mom's place during the winter. I contrast that to the children's museum at the gateway. We have taken the kids there only a couple of times in the past 2 years. Similar types of places but for a mom with nap schedules, one is quick and easy to get to and park and the other is more of a trip. I am sure convenience to Utah County families went into the decision also. Their new membership prices are quite a jump from the previous location so this might affect this group but we will see.

So while I would rather see this downtown near transit I can see the other side.

Future Mayor · #**4016** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 7:13 PM**

One thing I forgot is private events, often times related to conventions being in town, but also fund raiser events and other private events. For example I went to the APA conference in Philly in 2007 and the Delaware Aquarium held a private APA event, food, music, networking and of course viewing the aquarium. It was a 10 minute charter bus ride across the bridge, it would have also been an inexpensive cab ride across the bridge and being just across the river it was really just an extension of downtown Philly and the views of the skyline across the river from the Aquarium were spectacular.

I don't see events like this occurring at the Living Planet Aquarium. It's not a cheap cab ride or a short charter bus ride. It's also not along a scenic river (except the river of traffic on I-15), it also doesn't have a view of anything at night, the view of the mountains would also provide a nice view of I-15, which I don't see any balconies and only some windows facing east to even be able to see the mountains.

Maximizing visitor potential - FAIL!

scottharding · #**4017** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 9:07 PM**

Everything about their decision to build the Aquarium in Draper is short sighted. The reasons Future Mayor gave are absolutely true, and the potential number of patrons should have been their number one priority, so epic FAIL there. Along the same lines, I can't understand them turning down the opportunity to be right next to mass transit. Even outside of downtown, major attractions, like the Real Soccer Stadium, or Fairborne Station, have taken into account the great boon of being built around transit hubs. It's such obvious common sense, and the fact that the people doing the Aquarium turned that down is boggling to me.

This could have been so cool, but its a series of missed opportunities. I'm sure in and of itself as an aquarium it will be cool, and worth a visit, but I'll probably go there once. Ever. Not out of spite, just reality. I'd just as soon go see Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. I'm there more often than I'm in Draper. Or Sandy. I've still never set foot in the soccer stadium, and I'm genuinely interested in going there. It's just not happening because its an afterthought. Whereas I'm at Jazz games several times a year, Hogle zoo at least twice a year, the Planetarium, the Salt Palace, Abravanel Hall, Rose Wagner... I sometimes just find myself at these places without really planning to go there. Life downtown just brings me there.

And considering families in the burbs: I'm speaking a little outside my experience here, but my assumption is that packing up kids, planning a day, loading the car, and paying admissions isn't something parents do every weekend. If they're going to visit the Aquarium once or twice, they'll plan for it and go wherever it is in the area. They're not too likely to go frequently just because it's in the midst of bedroom communities. I'm sure that's not universally true, but thinking of my brother and his kids, that's definitely the case.

ajiuO · #**4018** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 10:10 PM**

A construction company put a sign up in front of the old Fun Dome / 49th Street Galleria. They have also started to park some of the smaller tractors in the parking lot... They are probably prepping to bring it down.

SLC Projects · #**4019** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 10:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajiuO

A construction company put a sign up in front of the old Fun Dome / 49th Street Galleria. They have also started to park some of the smaller tractors in the parking lot... They are probably prepping to bring it down.

Any idea what's going up in it's place? Apartments? Office?

Stenar · #**4020** Posted **Nov 21, 2013, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottharding

I've still never set foot in the soccer stadium, and I'm genuinely interested in going there. It's just not happening because its an afterthought.

I feel the same. I've wanted to go check out the stadium, but haven't been, yet. :/

The same will probably occur with the aquarium.