Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Utah_Dave

I really wish the GOED could take their focus off “Point of the mountain” and Lehi area and incentivize some tech companies to build a headquarters downtown! I bet if you look at what the GOED puts it’s backing behind it’s all clustered around that area. I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of the process with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, but the capital city is rarely involved. Is there something behind this or just the reality of the situation? It looks like downtown SLC will get the majority of its growth from residential going forward and out of state developers.

Looks like Domo has plans for a new HQ.

How about Qualtrics? Are they the type of company to need a lot of sqft of office space? Maybe the new owner will be drawn north to downtown with his recent purchase of the Jazz.

I don't think that GOED will do anything to help SLC that isn't BioTech, Finance/Banking, or Manufacturing / Warehousing (for the Inland Port).

SLC has started its own branding and recruiting for Tech companies to move to the City. The City is using the moniker - Tech Lake City. This allows the City to use the name to recruit both regular Tech and Bio Tech.

While this has worked so far for some smaller Tech companies, I do think we will see this increase over the next few years as the downtown and adjacent areas increase in population. A good portion of the growth has been by younger, tech oriented people. They are helping to drive the recruiting and expansion of Tech in the downtown area.

We also have developers that are also recruiting Tech companies to the area, Patrinely, Stack, and even CCR are all actively recruiting Tech Companies.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Makid

I don't think that GOED will do anything to help SLC that isn't BioTech, Finance/Banking, or Manufacturing / Warehousing (for the Inland Port).

SLC has started its own branding and recruiting for Tech companies to move to the City. The City is using the moniker - Tech Lake City. This allows the City to use the name to recruit both regular Tech and Bio Tech.

While this has worked so far for some smaller Tech companies, I do think we will see this increase over the next few years as the downtown and adjacent areas increase in population. A good portion of the growth has been by younger, tech oriented people. They are helping to drive the recruiting and expansion of Tech in the downtown area.

We also have developers that are also recruiting Tech companies to the area, Patrinely, Stack, and even CCR are all actively recruiting Tech Companies.

I think the Granary District is prime for tech companies and the start of an Innovation District.

[Old&New]

Originally Posted by Orlando

I think the Granary District is prime for tech companies and the start of an Innovation District.

Yes, AND the area around the Historic Rio Grand Station! Think, with Hatman’s Central Station Masterplan, conveniently and equitably placed between Provo and Ogden, it’d make those jobs available to workers all along the lines, from north Ogden to Payson, from Tooele to Park City!

[bob rulz]

Qualtrics definitely seems like the best bet for a local tech company to build a new HQ tower downtown.

Originally Posted by Utah_Dave

Is there something behind this or just the reality of the situation?

Yes. The state hates Salt Lake City because of politics. That is the only real explanation.

Originally Posted by Ironweed

I am excited to see this project for this area!

Maybe I am wrong, but I am not sure that every apartment in the city can support retail on the ground floor. Is there enough demand?

How would having murals create street engagement?

For example; Several apartments built in Murray as TOD's on Main street have multiple empty storefronts that have never been occupied. (Could be Covid related) Those units have been empty long before Covid, however.

What am I missing?

The difference is that downtown Salt Lake City is walkable and transit-oriented, and Murray is not, no matter how hard they try to be.

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Those houses have been owned by giv development since before the North 6th development nextdoor was completed. I think at the time giv was trying to work with UTA to buy the lot behind and build another apartment building there, but there has been no movement there for at least 4 or 5 years.

The residential market is only improving, and with the acceleration in development of the area, I would bet good money that those houses won't last another 5 years.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Orlando

Here's the 31-story version. I modeled this to be 350' tall. It could be shorter than this depending on the floor to floor height.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

I wish Salt Lake City would be less afraid of height. How many buildings are we going to have capped out at 375ish feet because they don't have to go through the RFP?

Personally I think EVERY project over a certain size should have to go through the planning commission.

Agreed.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Utah_Dave

I really wish the GOED could take their focus off “Point of the mountain” and Lehi area and incentivize some tech companies to build a headquarters downtown! I bet if you look at what the GOED puts it’s backing behind it’s all clustered around that area. I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of the process with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, but the capital city is rarely involved. Is there something behind this or just the reality of the situation? It looks like downtown SLC will get the majority of its growth from residential going forward and out of state developers.

Looks like Domo has plans for a new HQ.

How about Qualtrics? Are they the type of company to need a lot of sqft of office space? Maybe the new owner will be drawn north to downtown with his recent purchase of the Jazz.

They do? Do you know where? and are there drawings available to the public?

[delts145]

Thanks, Orlando. A tower that far east really changes the perspective of the skyline from that angle.

Regarding some of the new Tech Headquarter additions. Qualtrics had recently announced a major expansion to its campus at the Riverbottoms location in Provo. That's probably still the plan. I think that much of Downtown Salt Lake's future Tech growth will come more from outside-the-State firms expanding into the Salt Lake Metro. However, a lot of tech is still going to gravitate toward the SL/Ut County border. Salt Lake City is embarking on such an excellent transportation connection between downtown and Point of the Mountain over the next ten years,(especially with double track). Probably a sizable chunk of the younger single Tech Wonk crowd will find it very attractive to both live downtown and take Front Runner to the Point.

Originally Posted by Orlando

Here's the 31-story version. I modeled this to be 350' tall. It could be shorter than this depending on the floor to floor height.

[Utah_Dave]

Domo got some backing from the GOED if they added 2,000 jobs over a period of time and the article mentioned a new HQ in American Fork I believe.

[Orlando]

Originally Posted by Utah_Dave

Domo got some backing from the GOED if they added 2,000 jobs over a period of time and the article mentioned a new HQ in American Fork I believe.

Oh man, c'mon Domo! Just when I thought there was one significant tech company that wanted to stay in downtown or close-by, they coward to Utah Valley sprawltopia.

[delts145]

Interesting, American Fork. What do you want to bet that their new headquarters will be Woodbury's latest building just finishing up and ready for occupancy in American Fork. They're already based in American Fork now and probably the building they are in just doesn't meet their needs for expansion. Knowing how savvy Woodbury is I would imagine this has been in the works for quite some time now.



.

[Blah_Amazing]

Originally Posted by taboubak

I was trying to think where a signature tower would look best in SLC. Anyone else think the current federal reserve bank on the southwest corner of State and 100s would be the perfect spot for a tower like this one day?

I actually really like that idea. It would be a good spot, especially with Kensington set to raise the height on the south end of the block. There are definitely a few spots that could serve this purpose (I know quite a few people like the idea of the 'Zion's Bank' plot at the intersection of 100 South and Main). One of my favorites is the southeastern corner of 300 South and West Temple. I think that would look really nice in those skyline photos that angle to get the mountains behind them.

[Orlando]

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That parking lot is gorgeous! Look at that beautiful sea of parking surrounding the building. I really don't care about walkability or sprawl issues. I can live in Salt Lake City and commute down to American Fork or buy a new home far out in Cedar Fort or Herriman.

[Pencil]

Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City - Progress Video
• Video Link

[Stenar]

GOED has been actively discouraging tech firms from locating downtown. The CEO of Pluralsight said they were looking at sites downtown but GOED convinced them to build in Draper. Those companies could attract a lot more out-of-state talent if they had offices downtown. Most people coming in don't want to live in the far suburbs.

Originally Posted by Utah_Dave

I really wish the GOED could take their focus off “Point of the mountain” and Lehi area and incentivize some tech companies to build a headquarters downtown! I bet if you look at what the GOED puts it’s backing behind it’s all clustered around that area. I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of the process with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, but the capital city is rarely involved. Is there something behind this or just the reality of the situation? It looks like downtown SLC will get the majority of its growth from residential going forward and out of state developers.

Looks like Domo has plans for a new HQ.

How about Qualtrics? Are they the type of company to need a lot of sqft of office space? Maybe the new owner will be drawn north to downtown with his recent purchase of the Jazz.

[Atlas]

I think SLC is booming and urbanizing enough now that it will start out-competing Draper and Lehi for out-of-state tech firms very soon, particularly in life sciences and medicine. At least, that's what I hope.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I think SLC is booming and urbanizing enough now that it will start out-competing Draper and Lehi for out-of-state tech firms very soon, particularly in life sciences and medicine. At least, that's what I hope.

My understanding is that there are a few companies that are currently working with the City on expansion and possible relocation. I remember reading something about it around the time that the new BioFire expansion was announced (a few months ago, if I recall).

I am hopeful that we will hear something in the next few months about a relocation to SLC. This is mostly speculation but I have heard that both 650S Main and 95S State have been getting interest from some Tech companies.

On the GOED issue, they have been directed by members of the Legislature to push hard for Tech Companies to expand in the area around the Point of the Mountain. This is being done to show that moving the Prison was the right thing to do.

GOED is also directed to assist manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing companies to locate in the Inland Port area. Again, this is being done to show that the State was right to take over control of the area as well as to create the Port Authority.

SLC will continue to see Tech company growth due to the U. Multiple companies are spawned each year and they locate in SLC due to the employees nearly all living around the City.

Lastly, Carta (Tech company) was supposed to have a limited term in SLC while they searched for a location for their regional HQ in the Metro area. They were being pushed hard to locate in Draper or Lehi. They have decided to stay in SLC directly. They have taken up more space in the 175 S West Temple building over the last 3 years. Nearly 60% of their employees live within 15 minutes of the office.

While they may move once they run out of space, it is very likely that they will remain around the downtown area due to the employees preference for the downtown area.

[allh]

Originally Posted by Stenar

GOED has been actively discouraging tech firms from locating downtown. The CEO of Pluralsight said they were looking at sites downtown but GOED convinced them to build in Draper. Those companies could attract a lot more out-of-state talent if they had offices downtown. Most people coming in don't want to live in the far suburbs.

Imagine how many more planned towers we’d have if they didn’t push these tech companies to Lehi

[Blah_Amazing]

Broadway (300 South) to Rio Grande [4K] - WalkSLC (some great shots of the projects under construction downtown (and the contrast between the old and the new)).

• Video Link

[Reeder113]

Is anyone else having trouble viewing the webcam that points towards 95 S State? Mine says "Account Suspended," but it says that from any computer I try on any network. Did they lock out the public from viewing it?

http://youtah.com/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi