Alliance shares its vision for a 'cultural district'
The plans hinge on the announcement of the site of a Broadway-style theater, still a month away.
The Downtown Alliance, which is part of the Salt Lake Chamber, in recent weeks has presented its plans for Blocks 69 and 70, which run from West Temple to State Street and 100 South and 200 South. The plans are the result of a yearlong study by Prescott Muir Architects.
The cultural district could generate $600 million in new development, Downtown Alliance executive director Bob Farrington said.
Among the alliance's suggested locations for the Broadway-style theater are the historic Utah Theater, at 148 S. Main; the headquarters of the former Newspaper Agency Corp., 157 S. Regent St.; a parking lot across from the Rose Wagner Center at 138 W. 300 South; and several downtown parcels owned by Earl Holding, owner of Sinclair Oil, Little America hotels and Idaho's Sun Valley resort.
There are "probably 12 different sites that we've been looking at," said Bill Becker, head of a committee that is studying potential theater sites.
Becker said he's spoken to all property owners, and most seem responsive.
"Ultimately, the responsibility to make the decision is going to be the city's responsibility," he said. "The committee's going to make a recommendation."
Becker expects an announcement sometime in May.
If the Utah Theater is chosen as the site for the Broadway-style theater, building owner Rick Howa said he would sell the building "to the city, and they would put it out for bid like they normally do for city and county projects."
If another site is chosen for the Broadway-style theater, Howa will consider office, retail and hotel options for the building.
"A Broadway house downtown Salt Lake City brings a lot of economic development, more hotels, more tourists, transportation, restaurants," Howa said.
The Deseret News has owned the Newspaper Agency Corp. building since the end of 2007, during a property and cash swap with the Salt Lake Tribune, News publisher Jim Wall said. The two newspapers have joint advertising, printing and distribution through the NAC, now called MediaOne and located in West Valley City.
If the NAC property doesn't become a Broadway-style theater, the Downtown Alliance is eyeing the property for a smaller blackbox theater, said Wall, a member of the Downtown Theater Action Group. Parking structures along Regent Street would be convenient for theatergoers.
Recent comments
Whatever they do make sure they include the 'little bit of Paris' in...
Mahonri | April 24, 2008 at 12:25 p.m.
PM has been around a long time as an architectural firm. I should...
Architect | April 24, 2008 at 10:55 a.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Jazz talking Boozer trade?
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Jazz down Oklahoma City
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


