Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[rockies]

Does anyone know what is replacing that historic moss-covered building that was demolished on northeast corner of 7th E and 5th S? I think I saw something about them tearing it down a while ago but I was sad to see it was gone when I drove by today

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by rockies

Does anyone know what is replacing that historic moss-covered building that was demolished on northeast corner of 7th E and 5th S? I think I saw something about them tearing it down a while ago but I was sad to see it was gone when I drove by today

It was the Phillips Congregational Church

[freeshavocado]

Originally Posted by Makid

We should learn more as the permit goes through the process. But we shouldn't expect parking. If the City wouldn't let the LDS Church add parking to replace the Plaza hotel, I doubt they would allow anyone else to demolish a building to be replaced by parking.

The city isn't allowing parking to replace the Plaza hotel? This is the first I'm hearing of this. What will the church do with that plot?

[delts145]

I hope they'll do the same as they did with the 95 South State Tower and put in an attractive pocket park until they're ready to develop it. I've never been a fan of that Plaza corner/parking garage/bus depot. Also, whenever the Church does landscaping it's always quite attractive. I'd rather see a beautiful little park than what was there or another parking lot, at least until they continue with the future developments.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by freeshavocado

The city isn't allowing parking to replace the Plaza hotel? This is the first I'm hearing of this. What will the church do with that plot?

My understanding is that a request for parking was made to the city and it was declined. The Plaza is still planned to come down but there hasn't been any mention of what will be replacing it.

I do think it will likely end up with landscaping of some sort.

I do agree with Comrade though, demolishing a building for the land to sit unused, be it landscaped or not is still terrible. There should be requirements that when a building is demolished that plans for a replacement have been submitted. I would rather have an empty building that is in decent shape than a patch of grass or gravel. It just breaks up the flow when walking around.

I would even accept the 222 S Main compromise. If nothing is planned for the near term, replace the building with some retail/restaurants until funding is secured for the project.

I am somewhat fearful of a building coming down, being replaced by landscaping and then people being upset when the now pocket park is set to be replaced with something new.

[mstar]

It seems like the church has toyed with the idea of expanding Temple Square to the West. Maybe the long term plan would be for that entire block to be more church related buildings and green space. Just a guess!

[DCRes]

I saw something in the mayor's annual address talking about the plaza between the city county building and the library. It looked to me like it included permanently closing 200 E between 400 and 500 south. I think that road is closed frequently anyway but I'm not sure I'm a fan of closing more roads when our blocks are already so large. Does anyone have more information on this?

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by DCRes

I saw something in the mayor's annual address talking about the plaza between the city county building and the library. It looked to me like it included permanently closing 200 E between 400 and 500 south. I think that road is closed frequently anyway but I'm not sure I'm a fan of closing more roads when our blocks are already so large. Does anyone have more information on this?

Here's the plan:

https://shape.slc.gov/en/projects/gr...civic-center/3



Looks like there's still through traffic but it's narrowed considerably? I don't know. Look at the plan and see.

It also sounds like this is replacing the Green Loop. So, my guess is that in the end it's scaled down because that's the Salt Lake way.

[Rileybo]

Looks like Abravanel Hall is here to stay. It’s being added to the National Register of Historic Places.

[Makid]

I saw this article on the Tibune site Wasatch Front, southern Utah cities are still the fastest growing. See how your hometown compares. and it got me thinking about the change in population for the city with all the new developments.

Ten cities with the most growth
In 2024, all but one city in 2023’s top 10 for population change again made the list.

American Fork replaced Cedar City in the top 10 in 2024, adding 1,797 people.

Another nine cities continued to see the highest growth in the state:

Saratoga Springs, on the northwest side of Utah Lake, added 4,355 people in 2024.
Lehi, another Utah County city, added 4,134 people.
Salt Lake City, the state’s largest community, welcomed 4,119 residents.
Eagle Mountain, which is rapidly approving new growth, added 3,776 residents.
St. George, the seat of fast-growing Washington County, added 2,811 people to surpass 100,000 residents.
South Jordan added 2,355 residents.
Herriman added 2,010 people.
Washington, just north of St. George, added 1,662 residents.
West Haven, located a bit west of Ogden in Weber County, added 1,586 people.

I know that the unofficial census numbers vary from the more local Gardner Institute numbers. The census puts the population of SLC between 216,759 and 217,783 with a current growth rate of 8.53% since the 2020 official census. The Gardner Institute has the SLC population at 219,723.

But looking at either system and their methods, they both show that SLC has gained between 17,000 and 20,000 new residents over the last 4 years following the 2020 census. Nearly all of this growth has been in the smaller 5:1 of 5:2 projects scattered throughout the city. These types of projects look to be continuing at the same rate as the last 5 or 6 years. While residential tower construction has been slow for the city, we have seen a marked change over the last 15 years in people wanting to live downtown. We have added a few new options in the last couple of years and there are more planned to start construction over the next few years.

When looking at the overall change it does appear that baring anything catastrophic happening, we may see the population of SLC at or around 240,000 come the 2030 census. This would be one of, if not the best decade for growth in the city's history. The other being the near 40K jump between 53,531 in 1900 to 92,777 in 1910.

This would be a good change for the city as a larger population will help to draw additional development around the city. The projected growth should also help the city to attract an MLB expansion team.

I just hope that the growth is met with continued expansion of transit within the city, especially into the later hours. It will be needed as we continue to shift to a 24/7 city from the commuter city of only a decade or so ago.

[Atlas]

I'm really hoping we see some movement on TechLink soon. New trains for the Blue Line are in the works already and FrontRunner 2X will really improve that service.

In other news, this tower project is still active. NIMBYs are trying to stop the rezone that would enable it, of course.

[bob rulz]

City council is currently set to vote on that tonight. I hope they see reason and don't let the church NIMBYs kill it.

Originally Posted by Makid

There should be requirements that when a building is demolished that plans for a replacement have been submitted.

Wasn't there a policy like this for a while and it ended up causing a lot of problems?

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

City council is currently set to vote on that tonight. I hope they see reason and don't let the church NIMBYs kill it.

lol it's never going to be built.

[Atlas]

I sorta agree with the public comment from the Lotus company rep about the design of the main tower being "offensively wide". 330 ft wide and 290 ft tall would be a pretty ugly shape for a building. The rendering above is at an angle that makes it look less wall-like than it actually is.

That said, the complaints from the church people next door are largely exaggerated and overstated if you ask me.

[michaelk]

Originally Posted by Atlas

I sorta agree with the public comment from the Lotus company rep about the design of the main tower being "offensively wide". 330 ft wide and 290 ft tall would be a pretty ugly shape for a building. The rendering above is at an angle that makes it look less wall-like than it actually is.

That said, the complaints from the church people next door are largely exaggerated and overstated if you ask me.

Split that bad boy into two towers so sun light hits the church and makes the tower not ugly (well, not as ugly). Two problems solved with one solution. I know, the sun will only hit the church at a certain window of time each year, but hey, it is better than nothing.

[Rileybo]

Was always curious how the Wells Fargo Center would look split in two.

[Makid]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

Was always curious how the Wells Fargo Center would look split in two.

It needs a sky bridge linking the 2 sides together around the 19th floor.

Split into 2 towers, they would both be taller by at around 20% to 25%. So either way, it would be a win/win for the city.

[Rileybo]

Something like this maybe

[Rileybo]

I’d totally just stack em.

[Paniolo Man]

I had to go see the new North Capitol Building for myself.