DTA Staff

DTA Staff

August 23, 2017

Downtown Living

In his 16 years downtown, Matt Manes, a graphic designer has experienced several iterations of downtown Salt Lake.

When Manes first moved downtown, the Gateway Shopping Center had just opened.  The shopping center, on the western edge of downtown, was the first large mixed-use project to be built downtown in decades and brought hundreds of residents to the area.  Over the next several years, the Gateway would also be attributed to the decline of activity on Main Street.

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In 2012, a decade after the Gateway opened the energy has moved back to Main Street.  It was that year that the City Creek Center opened brining hundreds of new residents and dozens of new retailers back heart of downtown.  Four years later the Eccles Theater, a large state of the art broadway style theater, opened a block to the south of City Creek. “The amount of foot traffic on Main Street is four times what it used to be,” said Manes. Downtown Salt Lake is growing at an unprecedented rate. According to U.S. Census data, in 2010 downtown had a population just over 5,000 people.  Since 2010, several hundred of residential units were added with many more in development.

After decades of decline, residential development began to return to downtown Salt Lake City in the 1990s.  Between 1990 and 2010 the urban core grew by 59 percent between.  But a hot economy and younger work force, demand for living downtown is bringing exponential growth to Salt Lake.  According to a 2016 downtown housing report by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, between 2010 and 2020 downtown will have added more residential units, than what was built in the past 100 years combined.  Just under half of the city’s 4,800 residential units under construction are in downtown with over 2,200 residential units under construction in the central business district with nearly 800 units expected should start construction in the next year. City officials expect the downtown population to double by 2020 and quadruple in size by 2040.

New commercial office buildings like 111 Main, the 24-story tower just south of City Creek, are bringing hundreds of new workers downtown and according to David Lang, the head of the Goldman Sachs Salt Lake Office, many of those workers want to live downtown. Goldman Sachs, is the anchor tenant of 111 Main and, another 20-story building a block to the south, 222 Main.  Salt Lake is Goldman’s second largest office in the Americas, after New York City, and fourth largest in the World.  In both buildings, Goldman has close to 2,300 employees working downtown.

“Being in the heart of downtown is a huge draw for us,” said Lang, at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the 111 Main building in 2016.  In that ceremony, Lang told the crowd that his company’s younger workforce “wants to live, work and eat downtown” and is driving the company’s commitment to downtown Salt Lake.  According to Lang, Salt Lake is one of Goldman Sachs’ most requested transfer locations. To Manes and his partner, Mark Morris a landscape architect and urban planner, it is downtown’s walkability, amenities and young and diverse community that makes it their preferred residence. The couple has lived together downtown for the past five years.  In 2012, the couple sold their home in the Sugar House neighborhood and bought a two-bedroom condo in the Regent building in the City Creek Center.  

“Living downtown we can walk to almost everything we need,” said Mark Morris. In a block radius of the couple’s condo is a shopping center, dozen of restaurants, the Eccles Theater, a TRAX light rail station and a large grocery store, Harmons Grocery on 100 South near State Street.  Both Manes and Morris work downtown and either walk or bike to work.  The couple shares a car that they use to visit family or explore Utah’s outdoors.

While Morris and Manes enjoy living near Main Street, the couple would like to see the street’s vibrancy expand to other parts of downtown. “The best part is to be able to walk out your front door, get on a train and be at the airport in 15 minutes,” said Manes.  “I wouldn’t live anywhere else in Salt Lake.”

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For Blake McClary and his wife, Amy McDonald, downtown is the only place they want to be.  The couple has been married for two years and are raising their ten month-year old daughter in the City Creek Apartments. McClary is a reverse commuter. While he lives downtown, he commutes to Cottonwood Heights were is a project manager for a technology company.  “I do miss the five-minute bike ride, but nowadays people aren’t work at companies very long so why would I want to move to the suburbs if I don’t know if I’m going to be there in the next three years,” said McClary.  “This is where we want to be, the place we’d love, I’d rather live here and commute where ever else I need to be.”

The couple would eventually live in a neighborhood close to downtown like the Marmalade, a neighborhood directly north of downtown.  For the couple, the Marmalade neighborhood is ideal with because of the area’s diversity and amenities like the Marmalade Library and Washington elementary school. “We’d eventually want to have a house with a yard,” said McClary. But for now the couple is very happy with where they live.  Both attribute the walkability, dining scene, arts and entertainment and diversity as reasons that keep them downtown.  “Where you live isn’t just about where you work.  There is so much more to our lives than where we work,” said McDonald. As downtown continues to evolve, the couple would like to see an elementary school downtown, more playgrounds and green space and better east to west transit connections.  

Both couples cited the access to nature via Memory Grove Park and City Creek Canyon as a key amenity to downtown living.  The park and canyon are within walking distance from downtown allowing residents to go from downtown to the mountains in minutes. With citywide vacancies rates hovering around 3 percent, city officials and local developers expect the downtown housing market to continue its upward climb for the next few years.

“We are very pleased with how rents have grown for us.  We expect rents upward pressure on rents for the next year or two,” said Thomas Vegh of Salt Development.  “We see continued rental growth with a continued influx of more workers with Millennials and Boomers that want to live downtown.  I think this is going to be a very exciting time to live downtown.”

Salt Development is building a large mixed used development a block to the north of the Gateway.  The project called Hardware Village will add over 900 residential units in three residential buildings.

Downtown is the state’s center for government, culture, religion and much more. Here at Downtown the Magazine, we’d argue downtown is also state’s philanthropic center as well. The generosity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints cannot be understated, as well as a litany of local leaders who donate their time and resources in the name of a better community, plus countless public initiatives. Volumes can (and have) been written about most of these people and organizations, but there are three downtown “do-gooders” we’re especially proud of. Cotopaxi, Utah Woolen Mills and Even Stevens have hearts as large as the Great Salt Lake, and these corporate citizens show it in unique ways.

Cotopaxi

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Walking past Cotopaxi’s flagship store (74 S Main Street), it’s hard to look beyond the bright colors and sleek design of technical jackets, backpacks and outdoor gear. Digging a bit deeper though, we found Cotopaxi is a brand with a mission, and the products in their store are just the beginning.

Cotopaxi’s Teca Windbreakers are created using remnant and upcycled materials that would usually be thrown away or laid to waste. Their Kusa line of products was designed to support local farming communities in the Altiplano region of Bolivia. “We work with local farmers to source this sustainable, unique fleece insulation for high-performing technical lifestyle apparel,” says chief impact officer Lindsey Kneuven. We should point out that a company who employs a Chief Impact Officer, dedicated to programs which positively impact people, really defines what Cotopaxi is all about. Beyond products, Cotopaxi creates opportunities with several initiatives, many times through a partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). One program for example, with partner Nothing But Nets, Cotopaxi supports health, education and livelihoods initiatives for refugees.

Cotopaxi's Global Good Project, also launched with the IRC promotes digital inclusion and builds computer science capacity among New Americans. “Cotopaxi is committed to empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty by creating sustainable income opportunities,” says Kneuven. “Teaching computer science creates a pathway to jobs, addressing one of the fundamental needs of a community of more than 60,000 refugees in the State of Utah.”

A card writing program, with the IRC’s Job Club, provides professional skills training to newly arrived refugees. Cotopaxi's program is designed to provide supplemental income for refugees while creating a unique and powerful experience for customers. Participants produce thank you notes included with all Cotopaxi orders and are written by refugees from Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Congo, Thailand, Nepal and North Korea. The Card Writing Program offers IRC participants the opportunity to gain professional experience working with Cotopaxi as Customer Experience Assistants, while also participating in volunteer-led job readiness training. Participants are compensated for their time and effort, providing an important source of income as they integrate into their new communities and seek full-time employment.

Cotopaxi’s impact mission sums things up well: “We create innovative outdoor products and experiences that fund sustainable poverty alleviation, move people to do good, and inspire adventure. Cotopaxi funds solutions that address the most persistent needs of those living in extreme poverty. Giving is core to our model. As a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, Cotopaxi has made a commitment to creating positive social impact. We focus our efforts on global poverty alleviation and give targeted grants to advance health, education and livelihoods initiatives around the world.“ We couldn't have said it better ourselves.

Utah Woolen Mills

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Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones, and Utah Woolen Mill’s “Suited For Good” program is one of the best ideas we’ve seen. For every men's suit Utah Woolen Mills sells, they will tailor and donate a suit to an individual who is committed to improving their life for the better. Launched just this past December, Utah Woolen Mills has already outfitted 50 men who have fallen on hard times—many of whom were experiencing homelessness.

The program, is “not about the suit; it’s about the person inside,” says fifth-generation owner BJ Stringham. In business for more than 110 years in Salt Lake City, Utah Woolen Mills has, “had many obstacles to overcome and can relate to these rebuilding individuals.” Stringham was able to rely on his company’s tradition and customer base to leverage their status as long-standing community members into a successful service initiative.

Candidates can apply to take part in the program at suitedforgood.com, as well as nominate an individual or donate to the cause. The six-step process outfits a candidate with everything they need, from a suit and tie, to belt and shoes, as well as interviewing advice for the next step in their lives.

Has it been successful? A quick click on the “Success Stories” on the website answers a resounding “yes”. There’s Craig Carter, who saw the program as not just a suit for an interview, but how the entire opportunity “represents a new beginning—it represents hope.” Or there is Jon Boss, a disabled veteran, who found “courage to stand with society in the ranks knowing I am a professional.” And Wade Pollock, a construction laborer who suffered a near-death car accident, leaving him with several major injuries. Despite a learning disability, Wade’s goal is to attend business school for a career in management. He wears his first suit since he was 12 years old with pride. “You wear it with your head held high, and not down,” he says in one of the moving short videos Utah Woolen Mill’s has posted.

Even Stevens

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Perhaps we should have rearranged this story and spoke earlier about Even Stevens, as it was their philosophy of donating a sandwich to a local nonprofit working to end hunger, for each one it sells, that resonated with BJ Stringham of Utah Woolen Mills and launching their suit program. Statistics show 1 in 8 Americans are food insecure, a problem both systematic and complex. But Even Stevens is taking a bite out of the problem’ pun intended.

Beginning in 2014, for every sandwich purchased at any of their 10 locations, ranging from Boise to Tempe, Even Stevens promises to donate another sandwich. After donating over 30,000 sandwiches to Salt Lake area non-profits in their first 6 months – Even Stevens knew we were on to something.

Here’s how they do it:
At the end of every month, they tally sandwich sales. Funds for sandwich making ingredients - bread, meat, cheese and produce -are then placed into a Sysco food account where non-profit partners access the account and order sandwich-making ingredients as they need. A few days later, a truck delivers the order to their doorstep: Free of charge. Then, the non-profit staff and volunteers build sandwiches.

Beyond simply handing out sandwiches, these donations allow local non-profits to save cash. Where resources would normally go towards food purchases, they instead go to transitional programs – shelter, resume building, legal assistance, and more. In this way, the sandwiches Even Stevens gives back to each community are an investment in that community’s growth and well-being.

August 08, 2017

A City We Can Bank On

Cradled at the base of the Wasatch mountains lies a city rich in history, culture and commerce. Every downtown block houses diverse and industrious businesses - bistros and bars, farmers markets, housing developments, boutique shopping malls and Broadway theaters. This desirable urban district to live, work and play in is thriving thanks to the support of the community and members of the local financial institutions.

Downtown Salt Lake is proud to be home to many banks and financial institutions who provide commercial and retail banking and lending services to the community. Goldman Sachs, America First Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Zions Bank and other organizations have their names on buildings or are anchor tenants in one. Why are they drawn to downtown and what makes the business climate here good for banking?

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Accolades a plenty.
Utah has been increasingly recognized as one of the top places in the country for business. Forbes named Utah the 2016 Best State for Business - a position that Utah has occupied for the sixth time in seven years. Forbes’ list measures which states have the best business climates and Utah scored high across the board, but particularly does well in a few areas: affordable real estate, tax breaks (it’s flat five percent corporate tax rate is one of the lowest in the country) and its overall energy costs that are 19% below the national average. CNBC also labeled the Beehive State as America's Top State for Business in 2016, with a “sweet economy and an industrious workforce.”

According to the Economic Development Corporation of Utah, a private nonprofit organization that works with state and local government and private sectors to attract and grow global and local companies, Utah employs more than 75,000 people in the financial industry and has experienced employment growth at over 18% over the last five years. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development identifies financial services as a targeted industry for support and development and a key area for economic investment.

While these factors all contribute to Utah’s thriving economy, Salt Lake sweetens the pot with its accessibility, diversity and revitalized infrastructure.

Get to work.
Businesses, financial or not, are drawn to a downtown location full of vibrant, walkable neighborhoods where they can both live and work. They also want their location to be accessible by a range of transportation options for employees and clients. Lucky for them, Salt Lake is full of them.

The Salt Lake City International Airport is about 10 minutes from downtown, which makes getting to the city exceptionally easy. Heading into downtown is even easier, via public transportation on Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) TRAX, FrontRunner or city bus. Walking, riding a GREENbike (the city’s bike sharing program) and bike taxis round-out the greener ways to get around.

Goldman Sachs recognizes the benefit of giving employees multiple transportation options for their daily travel.

“Downtown Salt Lake provides easy access to public transportation and gives our employees environmental-friendly options for commuting to and from work each day,” says David Lang, managing director and head of the Goldman Sachs Salt Lake City office. “Not only are people within walking distance of excellent retail and cultural offerings, but our employees enjoy access to local eateries and local small business which are housed downtown.”

In addition to providing commuting choices for their employees, it’s important for banks and credit unions to be closer to and more accessible to their clients. Being downtown puts them near other large businesses where they have significant relationships.

In June 2016, America First Credit Union opened an Innovation Center in downtown’s City Creek Center. Opening the Innovation Center in City Creek was a strategic effort as the shopping, dining and business mecca welcomes thousands of people every day. Designed to be part branch, part learning workshop and part tech playground, it's a space where America First members, along with the rest of the community, can get hands-on access to state-of-the-art technology and financial systems, learn about new tools and opportunities within the credit union and give real-time feedback about what kind of experience they want to have with the credit union in the future.

“The Innovation Center will provide access to the advanced solutions that will allow us to continuously improve upon our commitment to provide the best service for our members,” said Randy Halley, executive vice president at America First Credit Union.

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Diverse-City
Zions First National Bank was founded in 1873 becoming one of the oldest financial institutions in the Intermountain West. This launched the trend for Salt Lake City’s banking industry and the employees of these institutions are vital members in the financial world and bring a wealth of diversity with them.

Wells Fargo’s Salt Lake employees are a diverse group that came from all over the country and world. “It is critical that our team members reflect local, national and global diversity so we understand and best serve the needs of our customers and communities,” says Anthony Timmons, assistant vice president of corporate communications at Wells Fargo Bank Nevada and Utah. “Salt Lake City is truly a global community and we celebrate that diversity.”

Local and national talent fill these downtown offices and employers are always seeking skilled, educated and multilingual employees.

“Goldman Sachs is proud to be the largest private employer in downtown Salt Lake City,” says Lang. “As the firm’s second-largest office location in the Americas, Salt Lake is home to more than 2,200 Goldman Sachs employees and their families. About 50 percent of employees in the Salt Lake office speak a second language and more than 75 languages are spoken in the office.” As a global business with offices and operations around the world, this has been a key asset for the firm.

“Our ability to attract strong talent has been key to the growth and expansion of the Salt Lake office,” Lang explains. “Many employees have relocated to Salt Lake from other Goldman Sachs offices around the globe.”

The local talent does not disappoint either. “We also attract and retain local talent which is another key to our success in Salt Lake City. We have long-standing relationships with the University of Utah and Brigham Young University and actively recruit from 16 schools in the western United States. Being located in the heart of downtown is a big draw to many of these students and makes us particularly excited about moving into the new 111 Main building.”

This is the place...to do everything!
Revitalization efforts in recent years have attracted a range of both residential and commercial projects and the growth of downtown Salt Lake is outpacing other areas of the city. City Creek Living’s 99 West, The Regent and Richard's Court and over 100 shops and restaurants housed at City Creek Center are visual proof of this. The George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater, 111 Main office tower and overhaul of Regent Street have been added to the roster of downtown’s recently finished projects.

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Giving back.
Utah’s capital city is more cosmopolitan, vibrant and diverse because of the investment made by the financial-services industry. What might not be as well-known are the investments that these companies have made in our community.
America First Credit Union’s mission of service is not limited to helping people develop and maintain financial well-being. Their employee volunteer program, the Greater Good, motivates their staff to effectively donate time and resources to the communities where they live. Philanthropic activities they engage in include sponsoring annual food drives for the Utah Food Bank, fundraising for the Community Assistance Program and sponsoring downtown’s annual New Year’s EVE event.
Employees from Goldman Sachs are committed to giving back to the local community. Their Urban Investment Group has provided over $150 million in financing for community projects in the Salt Lake City area, including for the Utah Early Education Social Impact Bond, the Utah Food Bank and Rendon Terrace, an affordable housing development for low-income senior citizens in Salt Lake City.

Wells Fargo team members in Salt Lake City understand that small efforts can make a huge difference in our community and they volunteer time, serve on nonprofit boards and contribute to charitable organizations right here in the city. Since 2012, Wells Fargo has made both a financial commitment along with volunteer goals to help make the Jordan River Parkway an environmental and recreational treasure for the Salt Lake.

One of Zions Bank’s guiding principles is to be actively engaged in community issues and help provide creative solutions to community needs. All employees are encouraged to be active participants in their communities. Annually, Zions Bank employees contribute more than 100,000 hours to worthy organizations and projects in the communities where they live, including The Zions Bank® Paint-a-Thon, an annual event that brings employees and families together to paint homes of senior citizens and the disabled, and hosting annual food drives.

Next time you stroll the streets of downtown, stop and look up. The surrounding structures house an industry that celebrates diversity, culture and commerce in our city.

This is the first installment of a series highlighting new businesses in Downtown Salt Lake City. We will feature several businesses that have recently opened in the downtown area. These will include: retail shops, restaurants, businesses new to Salt Lake City, and favorite local spots. Follow along as we discover the newest and greatest places in Salt Lake City!

Highlights:

Rich Innovation | 316 West 200 South Ste. #107
Software Development and Consulting
Justin and Kristina Rich have been working in the software industry for more than 15 years.  Over the years, it became clear that their greatest strength as a team was the ability to solve complex business problems with a combination of technology, experience and ingenuity. Established in 2014 Rich Innovation resides in the downtown core.

GoldenComm | 307 West 200 South Ste. #5002
Internet
Like a lot of companies, GoldenComm started with one person in his parent’s home. For us, that person is Jason Lavin and that year was 1996. Then and now -- the mission has been to build websites that work harder. Today, GoldenComm has four offices (Salt Lake City, Newport Beach, Warsaw, Poland and Pune, India) on three continents and provides Internet Programming and Marketing Services to over 500 customers -- ranging from Fortune 100 to Mom-and-Pop. “We help big companies work small and help small companies work big.”

Crossroads Guitar Shop | 329 W. Peirpont Ave. Ste. #100
Musical Instrument Sales/Service
After living in Washington D.C. Aaron and his wife moved to Utah in search of the right city. They saw an opportunity for a good downtown guitar shop that is open late and on Sundays. ”I picked the Pierpont building for its historic charm and atmosphere that will help make my shop a bit of a "destination" outside of the products and services that I offer.”  With over 25 years experience as a musician this is a shop for everyone.

Just Opened:

Carnegies | 110 West 300 South – A new restaurant located in the historic Peery Hotel, offering a good selection of wine and beer, in addition to appetizers, wood-fired pizza, in a modern and chic setting.

Fat Jack’s Burger Emporium | 206 South West Temple – An inexpensive choice in delicious offerings of burgers, sandwiches, and salads, all sourced locally.

Fireside On Regent | 126 South Regent Street – A full service restaurant specializing in wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and other specialties. Check out Regent Street and even grab a drink at Fireside On Regent!

Johnny Slice | 12 West 300 South – A casual hang out spot that serves pizza, sandwiches, pasta, and even beer and wine.

Lake Effect | 155 West 200 South – A charming and rustic spot to socialize, offering craft cocktails and wide array of food options.

Stanza Italian Bistro and Wine Bar | 454 East 300 South – Although technically the former Faustina Restaurant, Stanza has risen as a beautifully modern space, with a fresh twist on Italian cuisine.

White Horse Spirits and Kitchen | 325 South Main Street – Modern, yet rustic digs with wide selection of spirits as well as excellent burgers and appetizers.

Opening Soon:

Bagels and Greens | 170 South Main Street – A popular Utah establishment has finally made its way downtown! The anticipated opening is slated for Fall of 2017.

Dave and Busters | The Gateway – Do you like sports, arcade games, and the friendly bar atmosphere? Then Dave & Buster’s is the place for you. Offering drinks and good bar eats, D&B should be your next destination to visit at The Gateway.

Rib and Chop House | 140 South 300 West – Casual eatery offering premium steaks, fresh seafood, and award-winning baby back ribs.

Vivint Smart Home Arena | 301 West South Temple – Vivint Smart Home Arena, opening after renovations Fall 2017, will feature a number of Utah eateries including (but not limited to): R&R BBQ, Cubby’s, Maxwell’s, El Chubasco, J Dawg’s, Cupbop, Hire’s Big H, and Zao Asian Café.

2016 Openings:

Apollo Burger | 370 South Main Street – A classic Utah burger chain opened in October of 2016 and is located on the corner of 400 South and Main Street.

HSL Restaurant | 418 East 200 South – An upscale eatery featuring American cuisine, craft cocktails in a chic and contemporary space.

Mollie’s & Ollie’s | 159 South Main Street – Casual new eatery featuring healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner options seven days a week. Check out the cool digs on Main Street!

Laan Na Thai | 336 West 300 South – Located north of Pioneer Park, this eatery offers classic Thai cuisine with a modern flare.

Nice To Be Kneaded Massage | 250 East 300 South – Licensed massage therapist specializing in deep tissue, trigger point, prenatal, sports massage, in addition to energy work.

The Bureau | 281 South Weechquootee Place (Gallivan Center) – Professional barber services where classic meets modern, open six days a week.

Uintah Standard | 209 East 300 South – Retail clothing store offering athletic wear, whose mission is to empower the uniqueness of each woman and celebrate natural beauty.

Xpresso | 150 South State Street – A coffee shop serving pastries, bagels, and more. In addition to a regular espresso machine they also feature a French Press for real coffee lovers.

Closures:

Now and Again

SoCo

Lambs (Temporary closure)

Dining around the world in Salt Lake City, Utah, is as simple as jumping on TRAX and riding through the 'Free Fare Zone' to find some of the most interesting and delicious restaurants the city has to offer. Salt Lake City's friendly policies towards immigrants and refugees has elevated its cosmopolitan status. The result has been culture, refinement and some delectable food choices from around the globe.

Argentina's Best

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In the mood for an empanada? Look no further than Argentina's Best. Owner Ana Valdemoros and team recently moved into their new home located at 357 South 200 East. The idea to provide traditional food from their homeland started after Ana and her mother had a morning stroll through Salt Lake City's Downtown Farmers Market.  They longed for the aroma of freshly baked empanadas, which surfaced many happy, nostalgic memories. The idea was born and they started making traditional Argentine empanadas every Saturday: arguably the best handcrafted empanadas in the valley. Ana and her team pride themselves in offering five varieties of homemade empanadas filled with local grass fed beef, fresh produce and healthy ingredients all year long. Argentina’s Best Empanadas are made with Utah’s best local and sustainably grown ingredients. With their new storefront, you can come get your empanadas for breakfast and lunch, six days a week.

Bruges Waffles and Frites

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From selling Liege waffles out of a vending cart on Main Street, to having blossomed into a four-location success, native Belgians Pierre Vandamme and Philippe Wyffels understand well the combination of hard work and offering a delicious product. Enjoy a taste of steaming vanilla or cinnamon waffles smothered in melting butter, or try their world famous Machine Gun Sandwich® featured on Man Vs. Food. The sandwich consists of Vosen's fresh and toasted baguette stuffed with two Morgan Valley merguez (Bruges’ secret recipe) lamb sausages, Andalouse dipping sauce and frites. We recommend bringing along a defibrillator. Bruges frites are hand-peeled and cut daily from fresh Idaho potatoes, then fried twice for a crisp outside and soft inside. Enough said! Visit their downtown location at 336 W 300 S and discover why the awards and rave reviews keep flowing their way.

Himalayan Kitchen

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Surya Bastakoti, a paraglider and owner of Mt. Pumori Trekking and Expeditions, traded The Himalaya of Nepal for the Wasatch of Salt Lake City, and started the one and only Nepali restaurant in Utah. Not only is Himalayan Kitchen an award-winning restaurant, but it is also a gallery loaded with Nepalese and Buddhist art. Head down to 360 South State and partake in the succulent Nepali curry, a melange of flavors stemming from the bone-in goat meat slow-cooked in broth with onion, garlic, ginger, tomato and curry sauce. Another local favorite are the Himalayan momos: steamed chicken dumplings served with sesame seed sauce.

Hong Kong Tea House

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Dim Sum, anyone? Hong Kong Tea House, located at 565 West 200 South, has around 50 delightful choices ranging from steamed pork dumpling, silver wrapped chicken, fried shrimp balls, beef Wienoki mushroom roll and crab meat dumpling—just to name a few. If that's not enough to make your mouth water, any of the chef's specials should do the trick. Steamed seabass with ginger, roasted pork belly in hot pot or beef short ribs with black pepper garlic will complete your culinary adventure at Hong Kong Tea House. The restaurant has been serving happy patrons for 16 years and continues to find its place as one of Salt Lake City's best. The food and service is top notch.

Siegfried's Delicatessen

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Craving some schnitzel, spaetzle with gravy, a Ruben with mayo, mustard, swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut and corned beef on rye bread? Maybe you want to dive a little deeper into German food paradise with cabbage rolls, leberkaase or even pig’s knuckle? The spot to enter this delightful world is Salt Lake City's very own Siegfried's Delicatessen. Enjoy classic German food made from scratch every day with traditional ingredients imported directly from Germany—save for the sausages, which are made fresh every day locally.

Opened in 1971, Siegfried's is the only German restaurant within Salt Lake City. The deli serves lunch and dinner in a casual atmosphere, and is located steps from Main Street at 20 W 200 S downtown.

Laan Na Thai

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Take your first step through the door, and husband and wife team Wichai and Yupin Charoen will warmly greet you with smiles, plus a wide selection of tasty traditional Thai dishes. The location is small, but the menu is stacked full of options such as pad kee mao, pad roasted chili oil, pad seiw, drunken noodles and pod prik sod beef. The husband and wife duo also offer dishes native to their northeast Thailand, a region renowned for bold flavors. One local favorite is the nam tok beek waterfall. Tender flank steak strips stir-fried with scallions, Thai chiles, nam pla, lime, shallots, cilantro, served with romaine lettuce and sticky rice. We recommend diners try the hung lay pork: succulent pork belly in spicy curry with coconut milk, carrots and potatoes. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and selection of Thai offerings. Stroll down to Laan Na Thai at 336 W 300 S.

When we think of a “complete city,” urban planning experts point to five opportunities that should be among a region’s best within a downtown: live, work, shop, eat and play. The first four are fairly straightforward, but the “play” variable takes on a double meaning. Usually thought of in cultural sense—think art, music and theatre—the best cities also have expansive green spaces, such as parks. Salt Lake City covers all five (or six) of these amenities with ease. But, it’s our other play options that set us apart from any other city on the globe. Namely, City Creek Canyon.

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City Creek Canyon is not often mentioned in the same breath as other canyons a short bus ride or drive from downtown: Little and Big Cottonwood for skiing, Millcreek for hiking, or Park City in Parley’s Canyon with additional recreation opportunities. However, this canyon should be local cannon, especially for downtown residents and employees. Setting City Creek apart from other canyons is its proximity to downtown, plus the variety of activities available: truly one of Salt Lake City’s crown jewels.

No matter your mode of transport or choice in recreation, City Creek is accessible on foot for a walk or run, on two wheels for a road cycle or singletrack mountain bike ride, aboard inline skates, on four paws, or even on skis after a fresh snowfall.

In the summer months, City Creek Canyon is open to cars on even numbered days and holidays, and cyclists on odd days. Beginning on State Street and Second Avenue, the first mile winds its way up and through Memory Grove Park, connecting to Bonneville Blvd in the upper Avenues. The six-plus mile road provides an immediate escape from summer heat under a shady canopy of trees.

At the road’s terminus, just past a water treatment plant, is a large picnic area, plus a plethora of hiking trails into the higher peaks forming the head of the canyon. Trail opportunities exist lower in the canyon as well, as the Bonneville Shoreline Trail intersects City Creek just a mile from the edge of the city.

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Some popular ideas:

-Walk/jog/run through Memory Grove on the paved path, exploring several side paths through the forest adjacent to the creek. Dogs, as you may imagine, love the running water.

-Hike or bike up the paved path to an intersection with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Heading north connects to Mueller Park in Bountiful and east heads toward the University of Utah and Hogle Zoo via Dry Creek. From nearly any vantage point along this stretch, 180 degrees of views include the Wasatch range, the downtown skyline and The Great Salt Lake.

-After a big storm, backcountry skiers can tour from several trailheads into the foothills for powder turns with a view of the State Capitol building!

The Downtown Alliance can learn from the successes of other cities and downtowns throughout the country. The Urban Exploration program brings public and private sector leaders together to learn about the best practices of other cities. This is the fourth in a series of annual trips sponsored by the Downtown Alliance to build relationships and learn from the success of other communities.

The Urban Exploration program is a working trip focused on building relationships and inspiring innovation in downtown Salt Lake City. We are currently working to strategically select projects in Boston that correlate to emerging initiatives and issues in downtown Salt Lake City. This year's urban exploration participants will learn about downtown Boston's Public Market, private management of public spaces, clean and safe programs, social service incubators and more.

This is the fourth in a series of annual trips sponsored by the Downtown Alliance to build relationships and learn from the success of other communities: we visited New York in 2014, Chicago in 2015 and San Francisco in 2016.

Downtown Crossing - The Rebirth of a Neighborhood
Day two of our Urban Exploration trip began with a breakfast panel from:
Greg Galer (Executive Director @ Boston Preservation Alliance)
Kathleen MacNeil (Principal @ MDA Partners)
Andrew Grace (Director of Strategic Planning and Development @ City of Boston)

We enjoyed a discussion on the preservation of Boston's numerous historical sites. Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. The city is studded with historical landmarks and a storied architectural heritage. There is a deep sense of pride among Bostonians and visitors from across the world and a common feeling that this historic nature be protected and preserved.

Our group was able to pick the brains of those who have created innovative projects in the heart of downtown Boston while maintaining historical integrity. Salt Lake City can look at these projects as templates as we expand West and continue to build our ever-growing skyline.

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Stokes Strategies Lunch N’ Learn @ Harvard Loeb House with HBS Professor Clayton Christensen
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to attend a class at Harvard University? Our group had that opportunity on day two with a luncheon that included guest speaker Clayton Christensen. Born in the Rose Park neighborhood of Salt Lake City, Clayton Christensen is a Professor of Business Administration at the Kim B. Clark Harvard Business School. Clayton teaches one of the most popular elective classes for second year students, Building and Sustaining a Successful Enterprise. He is regarded as one of the world’s top experts on innovation and growth and his ideas have been widely used in industries and organizations throughout the world. A 2011 cover story in Forbes magazine noted that ‘’Everyday business leaders call him or make the pilgrimage to his office in Boston, Mass. to get advice or thank him for his ideas.’’ In 2011 in a poll of thousands of executives, consultants and business school professors, Christensen was named as the most influential business thinker in the world.

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Breakout Afternoon Activities
Our tour of the Boston BID was followed by several optional activities were strategically selected projects and initiatives that correlate to emerging initiatives and trends in downtown Salt Lake City – with a little bit of fun mixed in for good measure!

The Innovative Social Service Incubator - Harvard University/Y2Y Shelter
Following our "Harvard education", severl members headed to meet with the  Y2Y Harvard Square founders, a student-run overnight shelter that employs a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. Y2Y guests have 10 opportunities to collaborate with service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and develop skills for long-term success. Y2Y provides opportunities for both guests and volunteers to become the next generation’s leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness.

While Salt Lake has taken great strides to helping those who have fallen on hard times with new shelters through the Collective Impact Committee and efforts from state, county and city leaders, it is always refreshing to see other innovative and grassroots solutions. 
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The Greenway – Contemporary Public Art Park Tour
One group toured the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a garden atop a highway tunnel and is a contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. The non-profit Greenway Conservancy maintains, programs, finances, and improves the 1.5-mile Greenway on behalf of the public. In 1991, after almost a decade of planning, construction began on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, more widely known as the "Big Dig". The project, recognized as one of the largest, most complex, and technologically challenging in the history of the United States, would remove the elevated highway and create a tunnel system below the city. With the elevated highway to be relocated underground, community and political leaders seized the opportunity to enhance the city by creating the Greenway, a linear series of parks and gardens that would re-connect some of Boston’s oldest, most diverse, and vibrant neighborhoods. The creation of the Greenway was a joint effort of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, and various civic groups.

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Google Reception @ Revere Rooftop
Overlooking Downtown Boston’s Back Bay, the Revere Rooftop was an excellent way to reflect on all of the great tours and relationships while taking in Boston from up high.

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The Downtown Alliance can learn from the successes of other neighborhoods and downtowns throughout the country. The Urban Exploration program brings public and private sector leaders together to learn about the best practices of other cities. This is the fourth in a series of annual trips sponsored by the Downtown Alliance to build relationships and learn from the success of other communities.

The Urban Exploration program is a working trip focused on building relationships and inspiring innovation in downtown Salt Lake City. This year's urban exploration participants will learn about downtown Boston's Public Market, private management of public spaces, clean and safe programs, social service incubators and more. 

This is the fourth in a series of annual trips sponsored by the Downtown Alliance to build relationships and learn from the success of other communities: we visited New York in 2014, Chicago in 2015 and San Francisco in 2016. 

Boston Public Market Tour and Discussion 
We started our day at the Boston Public Market where we were joined by the Boston Public Market staff and local leaders:
Cheryl Cronin (CEO @ Boston Public Market)
Mackenzie Sehlke (Director of Community Engagement and Education @ Boston Public Market 
Andrew Grace (Director of Strategic Planning and Development @ City of Boston)
David Webber (Farmers’ Market Program Coordinator @ MA Department of Agriculture)
Lauren Shurtleff (Senior Planner and Special Assistant to the Director of Planning @ City of Boston)

The panel discussed the public private partnership that lead to its completion. The Boston Public Market Association was formed in 2001 by a dedicated coalition of food lovers, producers, and state and city officials. After years of work advocated for the development of a public market, they gained support of elected officials and helped identify a permanent site for the market. The Market currently spans the ground floor of 100 Hanover Street, which also contains the Boston RMV branch, entrances to the Haymarket MBTA station, vent stacks for the Interstate-93 tunnel, and a parking garage. The building and the current Market’s location had been vacant for over 12 years.  

Salt Lake City is currently in the process of planning a public market in the proposed Station Center area, just west of the Rio Grande Depot. Learning the ins and outs from those who have been through the same process is invaluable for our private and public leaders who are attending our trip.

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Downtown Boston Business Improvement District 
After our Pubic Market tour, we visited with our Boston counterparts at the Boston BID headquarters. We joined maintenance officials for a walking tour on the “nuts and bolts” of public space management in Downtown Crossing followed by a luncheon. We were joined by:
Rosemarie Sansone (President/CEO @ Downtown Boston BID)
Steve Brookes (BID Clean and Hospitality Operations Manager @ Downtown Boston BID)  
Anita Lauricella (Planner/Project Manager @ Downtown Boston BID).

While on a larger scale, the Boston BID encounters several of the same challenges that Salt Lake City is facing. Seeing how they've activated once blighted neighborhoods provides valuable insight and viable solutions for Salt Lake.

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Optional Afternoon Activities
Our tour of the Boston BID was followed by several optional activities were strategically selected projects and initiatives that correlate to emerging initiatives and trends in downtown Salt Lake City – with a little bit of fun mixed in for good measure!

Institute of Contemporary Art
The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) is an art museum and exhibition space located in the South Boston Seaport District. The museum was founded as the Boston Museum of Modern Art in 1936 with a mission to exhibit contemporary art. Since then it has gone through multiple name changes as well as moving its galleries and support spaces over 13 times. The building's design, which echoes that of nearby waterfront gantry cranes, has been celebrated by many critics for its openness, represented by its exterior grand staircase, and willingness to embrace the surrounding harbor. We met with ICA Executive Director Jill Medvedow and then received a tour from Ruth Erickson, museum curator.

Fort Point Redevelopment Story
The Fort Point area was first developed in the 1830s by the Boston Wharf Company and through the 20th century was one of the principal marketplaces for wool in the United States. Manufacturing and warehousing have since declined in Boston’s, but the buildings have been preserved as a Landmarks District. Artists have traditionally called the area home, converting many of the structures to studios and lofts. The area is also home to the Boston Children’s Museum, the Boston Fire Museum, as well as art galleries and design studios. We had the pleasure of joining Valerie Burns and Sara McCammond for a walking tour of the district. Valerie and Sara are long time neighborhood advocates and artists that with intimate knowledge of the history of the neighborhood and the dramatic transformations associated with dynamic new development in a historic district.

The project in the photo below is a great example of historic preservation (note the exterior brick walls with supports) amidst new development.

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Boston Duck Tour
Our group cruised by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, aboard a a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle. The tour included the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill and the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig, Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower and more.

Fidelity Investments Reception
For our evening event, we were joined by Tara Amaral, the Senior Vice President and Head of Talent Acquisition at Fidelity Investments. Ms. Amaral assumed her current position in the talent acquisition group in March 2014 and is responsible for enterprise recruiting, social media development, strategic talent acquisition projects, and overseeing Fidelity's staffing group that attracts and attains talent across all business units of Fidelity Investments worldwide.

The Fidelity Investments Reception was held at the Union Club of Boston which has a similar feel to the Alta Club of Salt Lake City. From its inception, The Union Club of Boston has been characterized by forward thinking. The founding members didn't restrict themselves to a single political party, but drew in all those willing to support the Union Cause in the Civil War: Republicans, Democrats, and Abolitionists alike. 

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April 18, 2017

Flying Objects 4.0

Since 2014, the Flying Objects program has lined 300 South with different flying themed sculptures created by local artists. Now in its fifth and final iteration, the 18 new sculptures will remain as permanent public art. If you were a fan of specific pieces that have since been taken down, you can purchase them by contacting the Salt Lake Arts Council. Come downtown and see all 18 for yourself! View our gallery below: 

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Today is National Beer Day! Come downtown to quench your thirst with some of these go-to watering holes. From Utah's finest brews to extensive lists of imported and specialty beers, these bars have you covered. Follow us on Instagram to see a comprehensive list of downtown bars with our #ThirstyThursday hashtag. 

1. Beer Bar (161 E 200 S)
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2. The Beerhive (128 S Main St.)
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3. Cheers to You (315 S Main St.)
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4. The Jackalope (372 S State Street)
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5. Red Rock (254 S 200 W)
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6. Squatters (147 W 300 S)
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