Continuing to take a leading role in the development of Downtown Salt Lake City, the Downtown Alliance recently commissioned Prescott Muir Architects to conduct a site planning analysis for the Downtown Arts and Cultural District on blocks 69 and 70—between West Temple and State Street, and 100 South and 200 South.

This study, along with continued advocacy by the Downtown Alliance, has been the catalyst for Salt Lake City to pursue a large-scale performing arts center to complement the existing arts and cultural venues downtown. These and other cultural landmarks within Salt Lake City create a synergy that is not present anywhere else in the state. The Downtown Alliance is supportive of the many outstanding arts organizations in downtown Salt Lake City…the arts are essential to the development of a dynamic and prosperous city.

While no final site has been chosen for the planned performing arts theatre, a number of potential sites have been identified, including the Utah Theatre. The site planning analysis has identified the build out potential for blocks 69 and 70 that includes a mix of cultural facilities, hotels, office buildings, retail space, galleries, a film center, and housing. The Arts and Cultural District plans are being closely integrated into Mayor Ralph Becker’s new “Downtown Theatre Study Group”, led by Bill Becker, and the Salt Lake County Cultural Facilities Plan.

We look forward to the next chapter in the growth of Salt Lake City and the ongoing commitment to arts and culture throughout downtown, and to the new generation of facilities, artists, organizations, and patrons.

Thank you for your continued support of the Downtown Alliance.

Sincerely,

Bob Farrington
Executive Director

Downtown is booming! With over 50 projects currently underway or proposed in downtown, Salt Lake City is definitely on the rise. The 2008 Downtown Economic Forum features the most up-to-date Downtown Economic Benchmark Study commissioned by the Downtown Alliance—conducted by Jim Wood of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Utah.

The latest information on City Creek Center will be presented, along with an overview of the development in the Gateway District from Jake Boyer, information on the Downtown Arts and Cultural District Plan will be presented by Prescott Muir, and Bruce Bingham will provide the lowdown on all the other development projects in Downtown. Special guests include Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. and Mayor Ralph Becker.

The Downtown Economic Forum will be Wednesday, March 26th, at the 23rd Floor in the Wells Fargo Center, 299 S. Main Street, #2300. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the program begins at 8:00 am. Cost for the program is $20. Please RSVP to Camille Winnie at 801-333-1106 or camille@downtownslc.org.

The Downtown Alliance would like to thank Fidelity Investments for the generous sponsorship of the 2008 Salt Lake City Downtown Economic Forum.

The Downtown Alliance took an active role in the 2008 Legislative session, retaining lobbyist Charles Evans. Mr. Evans kept a close watch on matters of interest to the Downtown Alliance and its stakeholders. Particular areas of interest for the Downtown Alliance were legislative issues that dealt with the following:

Airport TRAX Extension Funding: Many efforts were made by legislators to limit the funds Salt Lake City could use to pay for the city’s portion of the Airport TRAX line. Legislation was passed that requires the County to earmark $2 of vehicle registration fees for use by cities of the first class with an international airport. This will create almost $1.8 million a year for Salt Lake City to bond against for the Airport TRAX extension (SB 245 Bramble.)

School District Funding Equalization: This issue developed from the split in Jordan School District. The legislation—that passed and has been signed by the Governor—requires property taxes generated in Salt Lake City to be funneled to the Statewide Capital Improvement Fund and be used for assisting the newly formed school district. The Downtown Alliance will advocate for a modification of this bill next session.

Continuing Funding for Arts and Cultural and Convention Facilities: This existing funding supports facilities owned by Salt Lake County that are currently located downtown and throughout the County.

The Downtown Alliance would like to thank the members of the Utah State Legislature for their recognition of the important role downtown Salt Lake City plays in the state’s economy.

The update of the Downtown Land Use Master Plan process continues regardless of recent changes in the Salt Lake City Planning Department. The Downtown Alliance will take an active role in the process to ensure that long-range planning goals match the needs of the Central Business District, and that land use decisions are made in the best interest for downtown’s growth and vitality.

The Downtown Alliance will host planning charettes in the upcoming weeks that will offer attendees the opportunity to voice their concerns, ideas, and hopes for downtown.

To read the initial draft of the Downtown Land Use Master Plan, visit the Salt Lake City Web site, www.slcgov.com/CED/planning/pages/DowntownPlan.

The Downtown Public Market Feasibility Study is in its final stages, taking a close look at potential sites for the Market. Consultant Ted Spitzer of Market Ventures, Inc. visited the Salt Lake area in March to tour over 29 sites. The Downtown Alliance Public Market Advisory Committee had identified these sites as possible Public Market locations.

While no specific site was selected, general areas of interest were evident. It was expressed that areas on the west side of downtown had the greatest potential for successful market sites due to the proximity to the Downtown Farmers Market at Pioneer Park, surrounding residential communities, easy freeway access, and available parking.

The Downtown Alliance will receive the final summary of the Public Market Feasibility Study in April. We will then make plans to move forward with the reported recommendations.

If you would like more information regarding the plans for the Downtown Public Market, contact Carla Wiese, Economic Development Manager for the Downtown Alliance, at 801-328-5043 or carla@downtownslc.org.

Salt Lake City is completing a Historic Preservation Plan that will be a guide for the implementation of historic preservation in the city. (Although the City has administered a historic preservation plan since 1976, it has not had a formal historic preservation plan.)

If you would like to comment on the historic preservation plan or would like more information, visit the Salt Lake City Web site, www.slcgov.com/CED/planning/pages/HistoricPresMP.htm.

TRAX extension from the EnergySolutions Arena to the Intermodal Hub is near completion, as is the FrontRunner Commuter Rail. Both projects are scheduled to open on April 26th. FrontRunner will connect stops throughout Davis and Weber Counties, and is expected to bring approximately 2,500 passengers daily into Salt Lake City. Passengers will be able to utilize new TRAX stops at 200 South and 400 West before connecting with the existing station at the EnergySolutions Arena.

The Downtown Alliance applauds the efforts of the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake City, and the State of Utah to improve public transportation along the Wasatch Front and in Downtown Salt Lake City.

For more information about FrontRunner and the planned Airport TRAX extension, visit www.rideuta.com.

The Historic Odd Fellows Building—located on the south side of Market Street—is being relocated. This is part of the site preparation for the new federal courthouse. Local construction company, Layton Construction, is currently preparing for the big move.

The 117-year-old Odd Fellows Building will be lifted from its current foundation, rotated, and placed across the street between the Market Street Grill and Takashi. This feat of construction will take approximately one week to complete and will begin the first part of June.

Construction on the new federal courthouse, with completion scheduled for 2001, will require the demolition of the Shubrick Building. The Government Service Administration is currently in financial negotiation with the owners for the sale of the property.