Salt Lake City: Official Development News Thread - Part 5

[mstar]

Yeah, I saw Atlas on the news last night as well. Hopefully - The Rio Grand Project will become a reality.

[Schmoe]

Originally Posted by delts145

That's what I keep thinking Schmoe. That spot has to be one of the most desirable for development potential given its location next to Eccles, Gallivan, and Regent St. Both of the two development iterations from the past were very attractive. I think that as soon as the numbers return to a more attractive scenario we'll see something along the line of a hotel/residential.

I'd like to clarify that we don't own this site. I was referring to the Burt Bros. tire location across Broadway from The Worthington. But I agree about the Dakota Pacific site on Regent Street. It's a phenomenal location, and I hope they're able to figure out a way to develop it.

Originally Posted by meman

Hey Schmoe, I dont care what the naysayers on this thread say, I think the Astra Tower is a very attractive tower and is a great addition to the downtown skyline. I especially like the Eastern and Southern face of the tower, however I do think the western face is somewhat bland and could have used more glass.

Thanks! In some ways we were trying to keep some of the heat island effect from impacting the outdoor amenity areas that are predominantly on that side of the building. Glass can exacerbate that.

Originally Posted by goldcntry

Really happy with Astra Schmoe!

Thank you, my fellow Sactown refugee!

[nushiof]

Schmoe, I am a fan of Astra. Love having a new tallest in SLC. I appreciate your insights and ability to keep a pleasant tone with this group.

[bob rulz]

Originally Posted by Ironweed

According to a new U.S. survey. Salt Lake County lost 789 residents between July 2022 and 2023. It did not indicate whether the city lost population. Not sure it is accurate with all the growth taking place downtown.

It likely predicts population loss in many of the older-ring suburbs (such as Millcreek, Murray, Sandy) and growth in Salt Lake City/South Jordan/Herriman etc. That is similar to what the Census Bureau predicted from 2021-2022.

The Kem Gardner Policy Institute does their own predictions and I believe it estimated population growth in Salt Lake County. Whatever the methodology differences between the two is, it's leading to significant differences in population estimates.

[RC14]

On the Wall Street Journal's "WSJ What's News" podcast, yesterday, they said that, post COVID, allot of large cities would be loosing population if not for immigration. Apparently immigrants are moving to large cities while everone else is moving out of them. They specifically mentioned Salt Lake City as one of those. I don't know if they were referring to the city proper or to the MSA.

[Comrade]

Originally Posted by RC14

On the Wall Street Journal's "WSJ What's News" podcast, yesterday, they said that, post COVID, allot of large cities would be loosing population if not for immigration. Apparently immigrants are moving to large cities while everone else is moving out of them. They specifically mentioned Salt Lake City as one of those. I don't know if they were referring to the city proper or to the MSA.

A good chunk of the US would lose population if it wasn't for immigration.

In fact, our economy probably would not have bounced back nearly as nicely if not for our immigration. International migrants have accounted for 70% of the US' population growth.

[StevenF]

Originally Posted by bob rulz

It likely predicts population loss in many of the older-ring suburbs (such as Millcreek, Murray, Sandy) and growth in Salt Lake City/South Jordan/Herriman etc. That is similar to what the Census Bureau predicted from 2021-2022.

The Kem Gardner Policy Institute does their own predictions and I believe it estimated population growth in Salt Lake County. Whatever the methodology differences between the two is, it's leading to significant differences in population estimates.

It lost another 8 more last November. After my mother passed away who we were living with, my wife and I moved our family to Omaha. As much as I love the Salt Lake City area and Utah in general, my wife and I needed a change to somewhere cheaper to live.

[Paniolo Man]

Demolition has begun on the parking structure under the Capitol Plaza.





The Stadler Canteen has made incredible progress.

[Paniolo Man]

I suspect all the equipment at 20 S 600 W is just supporting some sort of utility project.

[John_Walker]

Originally Posted by StevenF

It lost another 8 more last November. After my mother passed away who we were living with, my wife and I moved our family to Omaha. As much as I love the Salt Lake City area and Utah in general, my wife and I needed a change to somewhere cheaper to live.

I'm from Omaha though in DC now. Have you been to the new parks downtown and on the riverfront?

[John_Walker]

In Omaha, they are converting two 200 ft office buildings to all residential, including adding two stories to each. I found this article from the Washington Post on which of the largest cities in the US have the most vacant office space and how much of that space is being converted into residential. I know that converting office to residential is an expensive and complex undertaking. However, of all the major cities in the US, SLC is 6th for the most amount of vacant office (23%, 4.3% less than San Francisco) and only .7% of that is being converted (half the % of the US average).

[Enemy4thePeople]

Ugh.

Adjacent to transit zoning, credit union seeks to keep drive-thru and build 5-story parking garage

Can the people who want to live in the suburbs please move to the suburbs and stop ruining downtown land use?

[mattreedah]

Originally Posted by Enemy4thePeople

Ugh.

Adjacent to transit zoning, credit union seeks to keep drive-thru and build 5-story parking garage

Can the people who want to live in the suburbs please move to the suburbs and stop ruining downtown land use?

This is a business that already does those things and seeks to rebuild the garage due to safety concerns.

[Enemy4thePeople]

Originally Posted by mattreedah

This is a business that already does those things and seeks to rebuild the garage due to safety concerns.

The suburban parking ratio is a safety concern? The financial institution drive thru permitted use is a safety concern?

[RC14]

I believe their argument is that the current garage is in disrepair which is a safety concern.

[i-215]

Originally Posted by Enemy4thePeople

Ugh.

Adjacent to transit zoning, credit union seeks to keep drive-thru and build 5-story parking garage

Can the people who want to live in the suburbs please move to the suburbs and stop ruining downtown land use?

Easy: Approve the garage with these conditions

1. Ground floor must engage with street level (windows, retail, etc.) from day ONE
2. Garage floors must be FLAT
3. Garage must be convertible into human space (office, etc.) as parking demand changes in the future

Allow levels 2-5 to be for cars today, then allow the CU (by right) to convert the space as the area urbanizes and parking demand drops.

[bob rulz]

I'll say what I said over on the Reddit thread about this. I don't understand that proposal. I understand wanting to rebuild the parking garage, but the current garage is only 3 stories and they want to build a 5-story parking garage with no change in use and no other additional development. They want to lease out the other floors of the 4-story office building, but I don't know what they expect to happen in the current era of remote work. Renting out office is nowhere near as easy as it used to be, and offices need fewer parking spaces than they used to. I hope this is denied because it's a ridiculous proposal. Let them rebuild the parking garage at the same dimensions as currently exists (and I would love to have ground-floor requirements but I don't know how realistic that is) but not rebuild a bigger one.

Originally Posted by Enemy4thePeople

The suburban parking ratio is a safety concern? The financial institution drive thru permitted use is a safety concern?

The current parking garage is falling apart and not usable from the sounds of it.

[RC14]

This is very similar to what happened with the HIE/Shilo Inn garage. The garage was falling apart and didn't/doesn't have enough parking for guests so they wanted to tear it down and build a 5 story garage. The city rejected it and asked for ground floor retail. I guess that didn't pencil out so they decided to reinforce the existing garage and apparently, make it look like a
UFO.

At one point, there was talk of building a 14 story hotel where the current Marriott Town Place is with a bridge connecting to the planned parking garage. I don't know if this was scrapped because of the parking garage or if it was the other way around. Or if they were canceled for separate reasons.

[delts145]

Photo Bump

March 2024 - A few interior renderings of Astra released as of March 23rd - Pre-Leasing Begins April 2024

Astra Lobby


Astra Street Level Lounge





https://www.astraslc.com/

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[delts145]

March 1, 2024


Photo By Taylor Anderson @ BuildingSaltLake.com - https://buildingsaltlake.com/strong-...llest-whistle/


Worthington March 15, 2024

UMC Inc. - The boom of multifamily construction is opening up more spaces for renters and first-time homeowners and increasing affordable housing options. Units like this in the soon-to-be-completed Worthington Towers in downtown Salt Lake City are becoming homes. We’re proud to be part of this movement!

Photo By UMC Inc. @ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064058854117

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