Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[Wasatch_One]

Originally Posted by Scraperdude801

ok so my above post didn't work. ... how do you post pictures on this site?

in stead of the <img src=link> use this

[img] then post the image link then [/img] to close it off...

[wrendog]

Use "post reply" and you can insert images by clicking the insert image button and pasting the url.

[Comrade]

A good list scraperdude.

Here's some more:

Continental Building, which was mentioned earlier.



With the Walker Center.



Main Street & 200 S.



Deseret News Building.



West Temple and the area we're talking about.



The Wellington Hotel.



The Federal Reserve Bank.

[urbanboy]

Ok, I fixed the url on my last post.

[Comrade]

Imagine if it still looked like this:

[RFPCME]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

While Arrowpress Square isn't amazing, it's these smaller historical buildings that define our city. Just because they're not tall or they're not dramatically stunning architecturally, it doesn't mean they're any less important.

This is the type of mindset which allowed Salt Lake to demolish the above buildings. Hell, even Chinatown on Plum Street wasn't amazing, since it had smaller buildings, but imagine if it had stayed instead of being torn down for a huge parking structure.



For this...



Was it worth it? Hardly.

I tend to live by the rule that if you can build it somewhere else without demolishing historical buildings, then you build it somewhere else. The fact is, there are a bunch of places where they can build a convention hotel, why pick a place with some historical buildings?

Salt Lake City has lost too many smaller historical buildings, that had we kept would've made for a pretty awesome city. Look at the 2-3 story warehouses that were demolished after the 1950s. Those buildings were probably nothing spectacular, but how cool would've it been to have a real, dense warehouse district? I mean, even today's warehouse district -- while nice -- still has far too much empty lots. Lots where, at one point, historical warehouses once stood.

Comrade:

I normally find your posts insightful, filled with experience and knowledge. But "No" to the blanket supposition that anything old should be saved. The concept is right (in your words, "lost too many smaller HISTORICAL buildings"). The detail is wrong--Arrowpress was butchered in the late 60's. Someone needs to put it out of its misery and not employ extraordinary measures.

By the way, it is comforting to know there is another Party Member in the forum.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by urbanboy

Did you make that judgement based on T-Mac's pictures?

No, I walked by there many of times and I just never cared for it. Bring on the new hotel.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by RFPCME

Comrade:

I normally find your posts insightful, filled with experience and knowledge. But "No" to the blanket supposition that anything old should be saved. The concept is right (in your words, "lost too many smaller HISTORICAL buildings"). The detail is wrong--Arrowpress was butchered in the late 60's. Someone needs to put it out of its misery and not employ extraordinary measures.

By the way, it is comforting to know there is another Party Member in the forum.

Well I never said save everything and anything that is old. There are two buildings in Arrowpress Square that I think are worth saving. The first, which is the main building itself and the second which is over on the south-side, where the Blue Iguana is now located. To me, that building is worth saving.









To me, if done right, this area could be really kickass. The problem is, right now it sucks and because of that, people are open to tearing it down just for the sake of a hotel. I don't like that.

[anyiliang]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Deseret News Building.

Why did they remove the statue in the pic?

[delts145]

This is where TRAX turns onto South Temple from Main. In order to accomodate TRAX, the statue was moved back a few feet and placed at the center of the south entrance of the Main Street Plaza.


blueproof.files.wordpress.com
.

[Future Mayor]

Check out this editorial in the D-News regarding the theater, this guy is up in the night. Check out the mis-guided comments at the bottom also. I bet you won't be able to guess which comment is mine, (if they choose to post it) lol Here is a sample of one comment "It is time that Deseret News realize that "downtown" is not the economic hub of the state anymore, not will it be ever again."

News is asking wrong theater question
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695266034,00.html

[SLC Projects]

I still would like to see BOTH cities get a theater. But have the boardway theater in downtown and have a smaller theater in Sandy.

[Comrade]

Why? Salt Lake has enough small theatres as is, we don't need another, do we?

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by delts145

This is where TRAX turns onto South Temple from Main. In order to accomodate TRAX, the statue was moved back a few feet and placed at the center of the south entrance of the Main Street Plaza.]

Actually, the Brigham Young Monument was moved long before TRAX was even considered.

[urbanboy]

Originally Posted by Comrade Reynolds

Why? Salt Lake has enough small theatres as is, we don't need another, do we?

I hope this is sarcasm. Comrade, Downtown does not currently have a venue large enough for first run Broadway shows. Salt Lake City didn't get Phantom of the Opera until 2004... and it first opened in, what, 1986?

Oh, wait, I get it. I guess you were questioning Projects about the need for a small theater in Sandy?

[Future Mayor]

I think Sandy should have a smaller theater, I think communities should have their own smaller theaters where they can perform community theater. I think every community has the right to it's own arts. Yes Salt Lake City has several smaller theaters, I see Sandy having a 500-1000 seat theater as a good thing for the entire region. It give cities in the south valley places to perform, and in the mean time it feeds the desire to see other productions that may be occuring DT.

I think the fact that WVC has Hale Center is a great addition to that city.

[Comrade]

Yes, I was talking about the smaller theatre.

As for Sandy having a small theatre, a 500-seat theatre wouldn't be bad, but anything close to 1,000 is too big in my mind. We have enough small theatres in the valley and we shouldn't get to the point where they are all competing for the same shows. I mean, it isn't like SLC is some massive city where it can support that kind of thing. Sandy, while a growing city, isn't at the level where it can support even a mid-sized theatre without sucking crowds away from other cities.

A small community theatre is fine, but a theatre the size of what we see downtown? That's too big and won't do any city much good.

[delts145]

After reading that article from Future Mayor's post, I would remind the writer that it has been Dolan who has continually had the 'gun slinger' arrogance to state, "There's just not enough room in this Valley for the two of us." It has been Mayor Becker who has had enough class and sophistication to say, "Sandy should do whatever makes them feel good, Salt Lake City will build a theatre regardless."

I have no problem with a Hale Center type theatre being constructed in Sandy. I think it would be a good idea. IMO, the niche of a touring-show-specific sized theatre, is far better served downtown.

Regarding the differing opinions on Arrowpress Square. I too would be upset to see the historical buildings lost, particularly the Arrow Press building itself. I definately think the location would be outstanding for a new tallest hotel though. I think that the lawn frontage would provide more than enough space for the lobby entrance of the Hotel. Those buildings of historical value, especially those fronting the street should be retained, and the tower stepped back and above the historical low-rises. Now, it might not be possible to keep the rear portions of the historical structures, but we can retain the front-to-mid portions and also maintain a healthy streetscape, which is layered, charming, and retains the smaller boutique, business flavor.
Remember we discussed this type of possibility for the old Temple Square Inn. I think in this situation, there is no reason not to think in this direction, if they are determined to put the hotel at the Arrow Press Sq. location.

Here is one of those post's by Viperlord on the City Creek Thread, from when we were discussing the Temple Square Inn. Concept is good, and it isn't necessary to have an opinion on this tower in the picture, LOL. Hey, I would like Safdie to design the Hotel.

Originally Posted by Viperlord

Why can't we do this same concept. Imagine the new condo tower rising from the inn at temple sqaure.

.

[urbanboy]

This concept could work for the at&t/qwest building. However, those buildings that still remain in Arrow Press Square have a soul and great potential for reuse, just as the Blue Iguana/Benihanna's building did. A facade-ectomy (only saving the facade) only respects the esthetics of the building's facade and not the building as a whole or the function, or potential function of that building. These buildings provide a great opportunity to create a very swanky, hip, and unique theater district. The building that houses or did house The Dead Goat Saloon could be renovated into restaurant space with outdoor seating where the burnt building once stood. I love the archway tunnel thing w/ the Glass Company logo, or what's left of it, on it. I'm sure there's a name for that type of architectural functionality, but I don't know what it is called. I love the old brickwork and the old lantern like lights. Again, we have too many parking lots that need to be filled. Why should Salt Lake continue to suffer losses because of the stupid mistake of locating the Convention Center where it is now?!

[Comrade]

Let's be honest here, the only thing not impressive about the Arrowpress building is the new side they added on the south wall. Outside of that, the building is still in pretty good shape and could ultimately be reused for something better than it currently is. And the Blue Iguana building, well I think it's pretty awesome looking.