Quote:
Originally Posted by mattreedah
I actually like what that area is becoming -- especially considering what it historically has been -- and have always thought the hate on those new devs (especially alta gateway II) is a bit much.  |
Completely agree! While I do often favor some of the apartment styles of the Teens, '20s and '30s I think what is being developed now is a huge improvement over most of the disgusting designs of the '50s through '70s. Thank goodness Salt Lake's major boom didn't happen during those '50s-'70s decades. I often pass through those central neighborhoods that experienced a major boom of apartment development here in California during that time. Many neighborhoods are filled with those crap apartment designs and it looks far inferior to what designs are going up now in Salt Lake.
Also, do not expect to see a proliferation of ground-level commercial in the form of mom-and-pop restaurants, markets, or any type of small business in many of those Salt Lake neighborhoods for the next few years. During this period the risk-takers are going to be extremely careful about opening mom and pop shops of any kind. It has nothing to do with the ignorance or ill-informed developers. On the contrary, most developers understand where they can place commercial that would have a reasonable chance of success. Particularly at this juncture of the economy, it would be business suicide for most people to trust their investment in a restaurant or most small service businesses, especially in that Gateway neighborhood, which is already well served at a reasonable walk. Anyone who has that entrepreneurial dream of owning their own business had better have money to carry them for the long haul. Hopefully, better times in the future will encourage a more entrepreneurial spirit. Many of these developments could easily have ground-level conversions for small businesses if the demand is there in the future. However, right now and for the foreseeable future market conditions do not allow for that kind of risk.
The other day I had several purchases to make and decided I wanted to just get out and drive around Central L.A. As with millions of Americans, driving for the sake of getting out and about is not something I do nearly as much these days. The bank branch had closed, the Pep Boys major location had gone out of business, and one of the most iconic bakeries in America (Magnolia's) is hanging on by a thread. As I traveled down Hollywood Blvd. heading through downtown Hollywood, I noticed how busy the intersection of Hollywood and Highland was with the typical tourist traffic. However, as soon as I traveled through the intersection I was shocked to see how what was one of the most vibrant commercial sections of Los Angeles is now like a ghost town. Block after block was cluttered with shuttered businesses. I see this kind of commercial blight everywhere throughout the very densely populated areas of Central Los Angeles, whether it's the Melrose District, Fairfax, La Brea, Third St. running through West Hollywood, etc. Restaurants, Clubs, Bars, unique clothing stores, antic shops, etc. that were once icons of Los Angeles have not survived, and this with a much denser population than Central Salt Lake City. There are numerous reasons for the abrupt change in consumer habits, which I think most of you could make a list of. It's going to take some time before America's mom and pop small business climate recovers from the current atmosphere.
Prev
Linear Mode
