Salt Lake:Official development news thread

[stayinginformed]

I was just looking at the omnibus bill just sent to President Obama, and noticed some pork in there that will be pertinent to this thread.

385,000 World Trade Center Utah
4,750,000 Intermodal Facilities, Salt Lake City
20,000,000 Mid-Jordan Light Rail Extension
81,600,000 Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail
380,000 City of South Salt Lake, UT for streetscaping features along State and Main Streets between northern boundary of the City and I-80

I know that commuter rail and the intermodal hub are both finished, but maybe this will free up more cash to start other projects.

You can find this information at this site--also has all pork listed by congressman and senator.

http://www.taxpayer.net

[TANGELD_SLC]

The funny thing about pork is, everybody hates it until they are getting some of it themselves

I still don't know how much longer we can spend so recklessly. I think that infrastructure science, education and construction is where the money ought to be going, not to corrupt bankers who got too greedy and want someone else to save them from themselves.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by Justnslcsugarhood.

I'm not a huge fan of gentrification, I hope the neighborhood grows and develops but in a way that allows those who live there to keep living there for the years to come.

If there is anything positive that comes from gentrification, it is the natives typically get a chunk of cash when they sell out and move. I know urban purists don't like the idea of the neighborhoods changing and becoming more homogenized, but without serious social engineering (not a big fan) it is a "natural" phenomenon.

I personally would love to see RP keep its roots as a working class community, but also add significant amounts of higher income people. This will help with the idea of the west side being ignored. I would also like to see added emphasis on 600 North, between I-15 and Redwood Rd. This could be redeveloped into a nicer and denser corridor.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

I was just looking at the omnibus bill just sent to President Obama, and noticed some pork in there that will be pertinent to this thread.

385,000 World Trade Center Utah

Is that for the new tower they are planing cus that doesn't seem like alot.

[stayinginformed]

I am guessing the 385,000 is not for the building itself but more to keep up the office.

"It is a non-profit, public/private partnership that works closely with strategic partners such as the Governor's Office of Economic Development, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and other key community organizations."

Since it is a public/private organization maybe some of its operating costs come from the government.

Quote from the World Trade Center Utah site: http://www.wtcut.com/

[rmarkosian]

Sugar House Hole Filled-- What Comes Next?





Hear from Omar


Hear from the Soup Kitchen



Hear from Developer Craig Mecham


Read Complete Story from UtahStories.com

[Makid]

I was just looking at the omnibus bill just sent to President Obama, and noticed some pork in there that will be pertinent to this thread.

385,000 World Trade Center Utah
4,750,000 Intermodal Facilities, Salt Lake City
20,000,000 Mid-Jordan Light Rail Extension
81,600,000 Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail
380,000 City of South Salt Lake, UT for streetscaping features along State and Main Streets between northern boundary of the City and I-80

I know that commuter rail and the intermodal hub are both finished, but maybe this will free up more cash to start other projects.

You can find this information at this site--also has all pork listed by congressman and senator.

http://www.taxpayer.net

I am wondering also if this means that there is an extra $100 million dollars for other projects/upgrades that can be used...such as redoing the viaduct, street cars or the Trax expansions in Downtown SLC to create the Trax circulars. I hope it isn't just to cover revenue shortfalls.

[Future Mayor]

I'm not sure if it's even on UTA's plans but maybe they could use it to add the second rail line so that front runner doesn't have to wait while the other front runner train passes. Maybe the plan has been and always will be to have select areas with double track. Does anyone know?

[goldcntry]

If it helps get Trax out to Draper/Taylorsville that much sooner, whoopee. I just worry about the funding source...


*oink*

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

I was just looking at the omnibus bill just sent to President Obama, and noticed some pork in there that will be pertinent to this thread.

385,000 World Trade Center Utah
4,750,000 Intermodal Facilities, Salt Lake City
20,000,000 Mid-Jordan Light Rail Extension
81,600,000 Weber County to Salt Lake City Commuter Rail
380,000 City of South Salt Lake, UT for streetscaping features along State and Main Streets between northern boundary of the City and I-80

I know that commuter rail and the intermodal hub are both finished, but maybe this will free up more cash to start other projects.

You can find this information at this site--also has all pork listed by congressman and senator.

http://www.taxpayer.net

I love how federal money is going into public transportation. It's something that everyone can use, and needs, it also helps create jobs and isn't going ito the pockets of Wells Fargo bankers so they can bribe Cher out of retirement to perform for them in Vegas.... I was kinda surprised by that Cher you're too awesome to be doing stuff like that....
The thing about these projects is that they generate money down the line where as if you just give a banker money there's nothing that stops them from investing in a healthier over seas market like they did during Reagan's trickle down years. The trains once operating will bring jobs to the valley, the construction of the trains will bring jobs to the valley, the revenue for UTA will bring additional jobs, and people can now more accessibly use trax as a form of transportation to cut costs and it's great west side development. In the end money that's being spent is money that has to be earned however, giving money to the rich who then get taxes cut so they don't have to pay back the money they are given make's no sense at all especially if they are allowed to invest in over seas companies, that's truly eating form the trough.
We will be paying off this debt, now from both administrations, for years to come I'm just glad that the spending going on now is actually good for the nation and for development in the valley and isn't being wasted.

However I guess that is a subjective statement.

[Future Mayor]

I agree that infrastructure investment is a good place to use the money, as makid said I too hope its not spent on shortages. That will do nothing to boost the economy in the immediate term.

[Urban_logic]

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

I agree 100% cololi.

I have said all along that I think the best route is the 600 West route because if uses the hub as just that, a Central Station(hub). I understand the concern about a viaduct in the 600 W neighborhood and I think the best solution would have been to send Front Runner below grade around 100-300 North and brought it back to the surface at Central Station. Then trax could simply run at grade up 600 N to N. Temple. The second (hub) or transfer point below the N. Temple viaduct really will hurt the potential of Central Station.

If a traveler is headed from SL INT to Ogden and have to stop at the hub, they may be inclined to check out the bustling neighborhood around the hub while they are there and catch FR in an hour or so, but transferring at the N. Temple transfer station will create no pedestrian activity.

I am sorry Zionide and others that have homes or property in the 600 W neighborhood but for the long range future of the city, the 600 W option new viaduct or not is the best option. imho

Speaking of City Council, when are they having the vote on the route?

Couldn't the airport line start at the hub and use the exsisting Trax rails up until the Gateway, then continue up 4th West to North Temple? You wouldn't run into grade problems (as was discussed), it would make 4th West a mini rail corridor and a lot more attractive by extending rails all the way to North Temple, and it would still be able to cross the viaduct alright. Sound good?

Originally Posted by TANGELD_SLC

The funny thing about pork is, everybody hates it until they are getting some of it themselves

I still don't know how much longer we can spend so recklessly. I think that infrastructure science, education and construction is where the money ought to be going, not to corrupt bankers who got too greedy and want someone else to save them from themselves.

You just said the you thought infrastructure and construction is a good investment. That's what this stimulus bill is - investment in construction and infrastructure (in this particular case, but the stimulus bill also includes funding for science, education, green technologies, rebuilding the electric grid, etc). 99.5% of it isn't pork. It's amazing how much pork was kept out of the bill. The money you speak of that went to the banks was actually passed by *gasp* former president Bush.

[SLC Tortfeasor]

Hey folks,

There's an interesting article in USA Today about how there seems to be a good trend toward increasing residential construction in urban cores. You may want to check it out:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2009-03-10-urban-construction_N.htm

[SLC Projects]

What Comes Next?................A empty field for the next five years. :{

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

What Comes Next?................A empty field for the next five years. :{

Well...

When all the dirt settles in the hole they filled, we could always fill in the depression (pun intended) with white sparkly sand, call it the Sugarhouse Sugarbowl and declare it public art...

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Urban_logic

Couldn't the airport line start at the hub and use the exsisting Trax rails up until the Gateway, then continue up 4th West to North Temple? You wouldn't run into grade problems (as was discussed), it would make 4th West a mini rail corridor and a lot more attractive by extending rails all the way to North Temple, and it would still be able to cross the viaduct alright. Sound good?

That is what the 400 W option is, it will extend the 400 W line to N. Temple and then turn west. but they will be adding a station at the top of the viaduct to connect with FR north. This is were many of us feel we are not utilizing Central Station to it's capacity because people will then transfer to FR or at the Gateway station they will head into the city and will skip over the Central Station neighborhood.

[Justnslcsugarhood.]

Originally Posted by goldcntry

Well...

When all the dirt settles in the hole they filled, we could always fill in the depression (pun intended) with white sparkly sand, call it the Sugarhouse Sugarbowl and declare it public art...

hey hey hey!....... I would want a single rusty poll put in the middle of it before they call it art....... you know to resemble a spoon for the sugar.....

[cololi]

Originally Posted by Urban_logic

Couldn't the airport line start at the hub and use the exsisting Trax rails up until the Gateway, then continue up 4th West to North Temple? You wouldn't run into grade problems (as was discussed), it would make 4th West a mini rail corridor and a lot more attractive by extending rails all the way to North Temple, and it would still be able to cross the viaduct alright. Sound good?

The issue is how they interline all of the new routes. It isn't like the airport line will run only between the airport and the hub. It is almost certain that the Sandy line will interline with the Airport line because the user analysis indicates more people from the Sandy/Draper area will use the airport line. if the 400 W Viaduct option is used, vehicles on either line will not touch central station. The other potential interline is with airport and the University. Again, no touching the hub. As a result, you end up with an above grade secondary hub (I like to call it the sub hub) on top of the viaduct. even if the lines utilized the existing lrt rail to the hub, who would stay on past the gateway? the answer is no one, because they can save time by going to the sub hub.

400 West will be even more of a transit corridor because the davis street car line is likely to enter the area on 400 West. Which by the way, overloads the system at the intersection of 400 W and South Temple. Meaning the intersections don't allow vehicles to move. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, except when you consider the amount of commercial uses in the area that rely on it for deliveries and services. And even with a highly utilized system, at least 70% of trips in SLC are going to be made by private vehicle.

[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by cololi

The issue is how they interline all of the new routes. It isn't like the airport line will run only between the airport and the hub. It is almost certain that the Sandy line will interline with the Airport line because the user analysis indicates more people from the Sandy/Draper area will use the airport line. if the 400 W Viaduct option is used, vehicles on either line will not touch central station. The other potential interline is with airport and the University. Again, no touching the hub. As a result, you end up with an above grade secondary hub (I like to call it the sub hub) on top of the viaduct. even if the lines utilized the existing lrt rail to the hub, who would stay on past the gateway? the answer is no one, because they can save time by going to the sub hub.

400 West will be even more of a transit corridor because the davis street car line is likely to enter the area on 400 West. Which by the way, overloads the system at the intersection of 400 W and South Temple. Meaning the intersections don't allow vehicles to move. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, except when you consider the amount of commercial uses in the area that rely on it for deliveries and services. And even with a highly utilized system, at least 70% of trips in SLC are going to be made by private vehicle.

I like your logic Cololi- the points you make above perfectly illustrate why the Union Pacific Depot should have been the real intermodal hub. It is located at ground zero as far as Salt Lake transit is concerned.

[cololi]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

I like your logic Cololi- the points you make above perfectly illustrate why the Union Pacific Depot should have been the real intermodal hub. It is located at ground zero as far as Salt Lake transit is concerned.

I agree completely about where the hub location should have been. However, do we correct a wrong right now and say that the new hub is at N Temple and 400 W or do we move in a direction of protecting the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been invested by the Fed govt, state, city and Utah in Salt Lake Central Station? I think the question is pretty obvious that we do what we can to build up Central Station.