Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[Comrade]

After talking with someone close to the area, I am expecting Abravanel Hall likely bites the dust. Financially, the Utah Symphony is bleeding out money and the venue is both too big for it now and in need of renovating.

So, don't be surprised if the symphony moves to Libby Gardner Hall, which is much smaller and seats crowds that are more in line with what the symphony draws.

[RC14]

Taken today around noon:

Salt Lake Temple:


Astra and Worthington from 300 E and 300 South:

image hosting site

[wrendog]

Originally Posted by Comrade

After talking with someone close to the area, I am expecting Abravanel Hall likely bites the dust. Financially, the Utah Symphony is bleeding out money and the venue is both too big for it now and in need of renovating.

So, don't be surprised if the symphony moves to Libby Gardner Hall, which is much smaller and seats crowds that are more in line with what the symphony draws.

That makes me sad. They deserve beter than a college auditorium (libby is good, but abravanel much better)

[locolife]

Originally Posted by wrendog

That makes me sad. They deserve beter than a college auditorium (libby is good, but abravanel much better)

That’s wild if true, I can’t imagine there won’t be major community blow back if this comes out as the plan. Look at every “entertainment district” built it’s not worth losing a gem like abravanel, I don’t care how much hype and how many promises any owner makes.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by locolife

That’s wild if true, I can’t imagine there won’t be major community blow back if this comes out as the plan. Look at every “entertainment district” built it’s not worth losing a gem like abravanel, I don’t care how much hype and how many promises any owner makes.

Unless you can convince Utahns to actually go, the symphony is a money pit in its current location apparently. Honestly, you don't keep the hall just to keep it. If they're struggling there, you either invest in renovating it so it's 1,000 seats smaller or you... well...move on.

I don't think this is the case of just demolishing it in the name of progress. It sounds like the symphony is struggling. They've run a deficit for a decade and that's on top of financial struggle they faced 20 years ago.

https://archive.is/Lweu4

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Comrade

Unless you can convince Utahns to actually go, the symphony is a money pit in its current location apparently. Honestly, you don't keep the hall just to keep it. If they're struggling there, you either invest in renovating it so it's 1,000 seats smaller or you... well...move on.

I don't think this is the case of just demolishing it in the name of progress. It sounds like the symphony is struggling. They've run a deficit for a decade and that's on top of financial struggle they faced 20 years ago.

https://archive.is/Lweu4

I have no clue or real experience with the Utah symphony but have seen several other shows at AH, including George Carlin way back in the day. I thought the arts and symphony were well supported up there but I guess not.

I know everyone has huge aspirations for whatever this guy is going to build but I’d be very hesitant to trust that it’s something better. I would not want to give up a gem like AH for any entertainment district I’ve ever been to. Incorporate it, repurpose it, make it a bad ass performing arts venue to attract comedians, live music, etc.. that’s all entertainment too no?

I’ve got no stake, say or direct involvement but that’s a bummer to me if it goes. And I’m less than convinced it’s a change for the better based on the very limited details so far.

[Rileybo]

Originally Posted by RC14

Taken today around noon:

Salt Lake Temple:
[url=https://ibb.co/9VG8W5N]
image hosting site

Am I seeing this right? Are there now TWO angels atop the middle spires?

[kickback256]

Originally Posted by Rileybo

Am I seeing this right? Are there now TWO angels atop the middle spires?

Looks like the angel is only on the east central spire. West central spire is topped with a yellow crane of some sort. Or a cable support. Can’t quite make it out.

[i-215]

I hate to be that guy, but I think this entire entertainment district project sounds like pie in the sky.

Smith isn't building all of this to invest in Salt Lake City. He's doing it to make money. And I really doubt he's going to finance what's probably a 2 billion dollar project. I mean, just remember how ridiculously expensive City Creek Mall was. This project is roughly the same size. Now we need to inflation adjust the price 15 years forward.

I don't know. I just feel pissed off to see the perfect good convention center and symphony hall get demolished for the whims of a billionaire who may or may not deliver on what he's promising. I get the sense of foreboding that we're going to end up with two giant vacant lots with nothing on it, and Smith half apologizing that the "market conditions are bad" and so he can't finish the project or whatever bs.

[i-215]

Furthermore, you don't demolish two perfectly good developed blocks in a downtown area when there are parking lots to the north!

How is this not the same nonsense that they did during the 1960s?

Tell Smith he can work with the LDS church to develop their blocks, or gtfo.

[zurich]

Originally Posted by i-215

Furthermore, you don't demolish two perfectly good developed blocks in a downtown area when there are parking lots to the north!

How is this not the same nonsense that they did during the 1960s?

Tell Smith he can work with the LDS church to develop their blocks, or gtfo.

Its called progress and there is really nothing wrong with people making money, especially someone who just brought the NHL to downtown salt lake city. What is the sale tax increase really going to cost you? $300 a year? Not a big deal, when you have a new destination to enjoy with shops, restaurants, bars, walking area / plaza, etc. Why destroy a perfectly good Carls's Junior for a high rise? The one story convention center is in the way, is dead 90% of the time. Bulldoze it I say.

[mstar]

I am pretty sure they are not going to demolish the CC. They are planning reworking the space around it so that it works better. My guess is that where Abravanel Hall with be new CC space. I am hoping that this entire project will be amazing. We will see.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by i-215

I hate to be that guy, but I think this entire entertainment district project sounds like pie in the sky.

Smith isn't building all of this to invest in Salt Lake City. He's doing it to make money. And I really doubt he's going to finance what's probably a 2 billion dollar project. I mean, just remember how ridiculously expensive City Creek Mall was. This project is roughly the same size. Now we need to inflation adjust the price 15 years forward.

I don't know. I just feel pissed off to see the perfect good convention center and symphony hall get demolished for the whims of a billionaire who may or may not deliver on what he's promising. I get the sense of foreboding that we're going to end up with two giant vacant lots with nothing on it, and Smith half apologizing that the "market conditions are bad" and so he can't finish the project or whatever bs.

Many people are feeling your same sentiment, especially with Abravanel Hall at risk of being torn down. There is an online petition that was started yesterday and it’s already close to 8,000 signatures. Based on the comments the city council will be hearing from some very unhappy SLC residents.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by mstar

I am pretty sure they are not going to demolish the CC. They are planning reworking the space around it so that it works better. My guess is that where Abravanel Hall with be new CC space. I am hoping that this entire project will be amazing. We will see.

You think SEGs plans include this or the new CC building is above and beyond the costs in the SEG plan?

[Blah_Amazing]

Originally Posted by locolife

Many people are feeling your same sentiment, especially with Abravanel Hall at risk of being torn down. There is an online petition that was started yesterday and it’s already close to 8,000 signatures. Based on the comments the city council will be hearing from some very unhappy SLC residents.

The last time I was there, I noticed that they weren't doing a good job of maintaining some stuff. For example, I noticed that a lot of the gold paint has been peeling and hasn't been fixed or repainted for at least 10+ years at this point. Honestly, I don't know if I would miss it if it was torn down and guarantees were in place to ensure it was replaced with a grander option. That said, if there were no such guarantees, I think it should be preserved to ensure that Salt Lake isn't out yet another performance venue.

[Blah_Amazing]

Something to also mention is the Museum of Modern Art, which is honestly practically worthless and I don't think many would miss that at all.

I would love to see Salt Lake get a real quality museum downtown.

The best we have currently is the Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the U of U. It would be cool if those collections could somehow be incorporated into a grand museum downtown...though I doubt the U would let that happen.

[TheGeographer]

SLC is going to become a giant suburb with some new shiny buildings if they tear down buildings that support the Arts. Real cities support and maintain their Arts because it is culturally important and to me is an indicator that a city is a city. In Denver you have the Denver Center for Performing Arts and the Denver Arts Museum. The Arts Museum is architecturally unique and stands out. If the proposed “entertainment district” rumors are true I really hope they find a way to maintain AH and not turn it into a City Creek 2.0. I also don’t understand like others here or on Reddit have mentioned why they need a new entertainment district with Gateway begging to be further turned into an entertainment district, and why some of our giant parking lots can’t be built up. Seems like bad city planning and a billionaire who wants to play Sim City imo. Also why is it SLC residents will pay the taxes? If the NHL team is “Utah team name”, with the emphasis on Utah shouldn’t more cities chip in? At least the Wasatch front imo should be taxed. I don’t live in SLC, but do live in SLC county and think it’s only fair we all pay our part since we’ll all be enjoying and using Delta. Ryan Smith and his billionaire friends down in Lehi should be taxed too. Not like people from Lehi will never go to the games

[wrendog]

A: permanent practice facility for NHL team to be built in sandy.
B: plans for downtown revitalization and DC renovations should be revealed tomorrow

[jedikermit]

Originally Posted by wrendog

A: permanent practice facility for NHL team to be built in sandy.
B: plans for downtown revitalization and DC renovations should be revealed tomorrow

“SEG’s plans include building a state-of-the-art NHL practice and training facility on the 111 acre site at The Shops at South Town. SEG will release more details about construction plans and the facility’s layout and configuration at a later date,” Smith Entertainment Group shared in a statement. “The practice facility will include a minimum of two NHL-regulation ice surfaces for the team, as well as a best-in-class locker room, training, recovery and medical spaces, and a commercial kitchen. The building will also serve as the team’s official offices.”

https://kslsports.com/516542/utah-nh...lity-location/

[locolife]

Originally Posted by jedikermit

“SEG’s plans include building a state-of-the-art NHL practice and training facility on the 111 acre site at The Shops at South Town. SEG will release more details about construction plans and the facility’s layout and configuration at a later date,” Smith Entertainment Group shared in a statement. “The practice facility will include a minimum of two NHL-regulation ice surfaces for the team, as well as a best-in-class locker room, training, recovery and medical spaces, and a commercial kitchen. The building will also serve as the team’s official offices.”

https://kslsports.com/516542/utah-nh...lity-location/

I thought they wanted the players and employees to live in this new district, downtown? Players tend to spend a lot more time at practice facilities than the arena they play games in. Sounds like they'll gravitate towards living in the burbs if this the case.

Also, does this mean no locker room at DC then? Or just not a best in class one? You need some type of locker room at the arena... Weird, guess more news is coming soon.