Reader comments
My view: News is asking wrong theater question

Anonymous | 6:25 a.m. March 31, 2008

Thank you Mr. Bennett.

The truth is that County residents need cultural amenities that are more accessible to them, and not yet another - after the Rose Wagner, Abravenel Hall, Pioneer Theatre, and Capitol Theatre - in downtown Salt Lake City.

A theatre is about serving the cultural needs of the residents, not the economic greed of downtown business owners.

And the argument that south Valley residents can get to them all via Trax? Well, that argument runs in both directions.

Ultra Bob | 7:29 a.m. March 31, 2008

It is very sad that while many people are losing their homes, the arts people are worrying so much about their cultural needs.

Re: Annonymous | 7:33 a.m. March 31, 2008

You are 100 percent correct. The Salt Lake papers get their profit from Salt Lake advertisers. The papers bow down to the wishes of Salt Lake businesses. Groups like the Salt Lake Alliance are a greedy lot who want only the growth of Salt Lake.

Comments continue below

It's Time | 7:50 a.m. March 31, 2008

It is time that Deseret News realize that "downtown" is not the economic hub of the state anymore, not will it be ever again.

Heads out please | 10:16 a.m. March 31, 2008

Lets start with you "It's Time" not the economic hub of the state anymore. SLC has the largest number of employment of ANY city in the state, and will continue to do so. Suburban office demand and housing demand is making a major shift across the country, cities are once again becoming the desirable places to live. SLC is and will continue to be the economic hub of the entire Mtn West region.

As for the theater I hope Sandy builds one because Mayor Becker is going to succeed in bringing a 2,500 seat theater to SLC, he has the connections. When there are 2 theaters in the valley there is no question where the touring shows will go, 9 times out of 10 they will pick the urban location. There is critical mass involved with a thriving arts district. Sandy needs a theater, I agree but not a 2,500 seat touring show venue. Sandy needs something comparable to Hale Center near the E-center. Large venues simply need critical arts mass, that is only available downtown. And Anonymous, your Trax comment, maybe if the show is at Jordan High, then it's slightly comparable. Please people get a clue.

Sibling rivalry | 10:51 a.m. March 31, 2008

I agree that, "Where should it be built", is the wrong question. If Sandy has a private investor and project going, why does SLC feel they need to stop it?

Heads out two | 11:11 a.m. March 31, 2008

I don't think this is Salt Lake Cities motivation but I think it's a result of their determination to have a large theater downtown. As my previous comment estimated, if both get built the DT location will get 9 out of 10 national touring shows. If Sandy builds theirs it will sit vacant ALOT of nights because Phanton, Les Mis, Lion King, Wicked, Avenue Q, Color Purple, etc, etc etc will all choose a downtown theater over one in the suburbs. The Sandy theater will become a drain on the city rather the county because of the "Great Gift" they will be giving to the county after the developer builds it.

Anonymous | 11:19 a.m. March 31, 2008

*** "SLC has the largest number of employment of ANY city in the state, and will continue to do so." ***

What does employment have to do with the selection of a theatre location. Certainly SLC has the largest employment in the state, but it's growth relative to the rest of the Valley is slacking off. Not only that, but a significant and rapidly growing portion of the theatre-going public lives at the south end, in Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, Draper, Riverton, etc.

If this were about where to build the area's first large theatre clearly SLC would win out.But it's not - there are already several ZAP-supported and taxpayer-supported arts venues downtown - Rose Wagner, Capitol, Abravenel, Pioneer.

If the question of location is about greed and pride then I have no doubt that Salt Lake City will win out. Folks there can imagine that those of us elsewhere might enjoy a major arts venue.

If the question's about serving the community, then Sandy or a nearby community will win.

*** "If Sandy builds theirs it will sit vacant ALOT of nights" ***

If Sandy builds theirs the SLC theatre won't get built.

And Trax? Build a spur.

Resistance is futile | 12:09 p.m. March 31, 2008

It's futile to try to open the eyes of many in SLC to anything outside SLC. They refuse to recognize that anything exists beyond 2100 South or capitol hill.

They are convinced those living in the suburbs are inferior human beings that should come to SLC if they want some culture.

The inferior suburbanites are welcome to visit SLC for work or entertainment, but DON'T stay too long, you will foul their air just by your presence.

Head was removed long ago | 12:29 p.m. March 31, 2008

SLC will build it regardless of what Sandy does. This means, upon completion, Sandy will no longer see the same shows, if it ever sees them.

People need to remember that there are more people up north that will go see unsanitized shows in downtown SLC then there are people in the south.

The southern portion will require the shows to be sanitized, which will drop the amount of shows available.

This is just one reason why SLC is better then Sandy. Another is transit. Commuter rail starts in less then 1 month from Ogden to SLC. This means more people that will be comming into town for work, shopping and shows.

Sandy doesn't have enough bus service, trax service nor commuter rail close to the location for the theater. Imagine 1500 vehicles on those streets all at once. No one will take transit, they will all drive.

Dinner out will be a thing of the past, will be drive through so that you can wait for 2 hours in traffic before and after the show. Sandy cannot support a large theater without the infrastructure first.

to Resistance is futile | 12:28 p.m. March 31, 2008

As a city dweller I couldn't agree more with what you said! Please, just go back to your suburban holes and leave us alone.

Sandy - the economic hub? | 1:22 p.m. March 31, 2008

Vs Salt Lake? Wow. I'm dumbfounded.

Re: Sandy - the economic hub | 1:34 p.m. March 31, 2008

Not dumbfounded - just dumb

Lola | 2:06 p.m. March 31, 2008

No way will there be two theatres. Sandy will build this before Salt Lake City completes its next study.

Anonymous | 2:33 p.m. March 31, 2008

Re: Lola,

SLC isn't doing a study persay, they are finalizing a location for the theater and will then build it. They have stated it will be built regardless of what Sandy does.

In the end though, Sandy will look foolish. Their theater will be scaled back as they won't be able to fill it with broadway shows as no show will go there for fear the locals will try to censor it.

Martin | 2:42 p.m. March 31, 2008

I feel very strongly on this subject. If you were to compare the strength of my feeling to the strength of actual, physical strength, I'd say I feel strongly enough to lift 175 lbs. or more, preferably in bench press fashion, but possibly even a shoulder press. That's just how strongly I feel about this.

I agree with Mr. Bennet completely in that this is a very important issue with important ramifications, as well as ramifications that are not quite as important, but still qualify as ramifications nonetheless.

MadMax | 3:11 p.m. March 31, 2008

If Sandy wants to build a theater, let it. If SLC wants to build a theater, let it. Competition will determine if there is a winner of loser here. If private venture really is to be the vehicle for these projects, no tax dollars will be risked and the public will be the ultimate beneficiary. Perhaps each venue will attract different types of shows. This will bring more shows for the public to enjoy. For those nights that are vacant, perhaps some reduced rate for local production utilization will be negotiated. The public will benefit again.
However, if tax dollars are to be used, broad based study must preceed fund expenditures. A future 'soccer stadium' largese must not be allowed. Blatant exercise of political power must be kept out of this decision.
Before any further discussion of this matter continues, would it not be appropriate to consider the cuurent economic climate? How many of the ever increasing numbers of homes for sale are due to families being unable to meet their payments? With many homes being foreclosed and new building screeching to a halt is it wise to build a potentnial 'white elephant' when families are in economic crisis?

Confused | 4:25 p.m. March 31, 2008

Let's make one thing perfectly Clear:
Sandy wants a Theatre because of Mayor Tom "I am the King" Dolan.

this is nothing more than a empire being built on the backs of Sandy Residents.

Mayor Tommy boy wants the theatre and if Tommy wants it, Tommy gets it, reguardless of the price the residents have to pay.

Anonymous | 9:16 p.m. March 31, 2008

*** "Sandy doesn't have enough bus service, trax service nor commuter rail close to the location for the theater."

All are close. A Trax spur could be built for the theatre (and Southtowne, and the soccer stadium, etc). In fact, the proposed theatre is right near two interstate exits and the massive improvement of State Street in the area is near completion. It is downtown Salt Lake that already can't handle the traffic it gets weekend nights.

*** "Imagine 1500 vehicles on those streets all at once. No one will take transit, they will all drive." ***

They won't be driving very far from the interstate. We won't be getting naymore drivers than Salt Lake would.

*** "Dinner out will be a thing of the past, will be drive through so that you can wait for 2 hours in traffic before and after the show." ***

If it's not happening in Salt Lake it won't happen here. In fact the situation will be at least the same and probably better. As for dinner, there are lots of restaurants in the area and more would be built.

Anonymous | 9:17 p.m. March 31, 2008

-- This is nothing more than a empire being built on the backs of Sandy Residents. Mayor Tommy boy wants the theatre and if Tommy wants it, Tommy gets it, reguardless of the price the residents have to pay. --

And Rocky, Dee Dee, and Ralph weren't/aren't trying to erect monuments to themselves, too? The library, the theatre, the Olympics, and everything else? When they build it in Salt Lake it's called culture. When it's built in Sandy it's an "empire...on the backs of Sandy Residents."

Martin | 12:30 p.m. April 1, 2008

I thought your rules were that anything that was off-topic wouldn't be posted.

Anonymous | 2:09 p.m. April 1, 2008

If you recall there was study done on the whole broadway-style theater idea in 2005-06 by HVS International. In fact, the Trib wrote an article on the study (Feb 15, 2006, Heather May). One of the more interesting comments from the consultants (Hans Detlefsen)was..."If you don't take the lead on this, some other suburban community may move a project forward". Maybe the Des News and Trib could do stories on each others stories.

jeannie | 4:04 p.m. April 1, 2008

i find it ironic that people say that SLC is greedy, when Sandy went to the state legislature with their hand out for money for the REAL Stadium and is now asking the County for more money for REAL. Money from the TRCC funds that help to fund cultural arts facilities throughout the county were diverted so that Sandy could build REAL a stadium The majority of the funds paid into the TRCC fund are generated in Salt Lake City. Sandy gets about three dollars from the fund for every one dollar they generate and attempts were made this legislative session to get even more funds for Sandy from the TRCC. 40% of restaurant sales are in Salt Lake City and restaurant taxes are the biggest revenue source for TRCC fund, along with transient room tax and car rental...also the majority of these taxes are generated in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City gets approximately one dollar for every dollar they generate. I think it is Sandy that is the greedy one

jeannie | 4:10 p.m. April 1, 2008

One other comment: Sandy will be using tax payer dollars also. The site they have for the site is in an existing RDA and it is likely that infrastructure improvements for the site will be paid for by the City of Sandy. Sandy may have a private developer but that doesn't mean that public monies won't go to the project.

Rob | 11:37 p.m. April 2, 2008

I think this is the best thing that could happen to my community. Salt Lake City should not be the only place in Utah with these types of venues and opportunities. I love my city and I look forward to the new look of Sandy.

kemmer | 12:58 a.m. April 12, 2008

It seems to me that many of the negative comments are coming from SLC residents, not Sandy residents. Your opinion on the matter doesn't really count. You build your theater, we'll build ours. Why do you care if some theater in Sandy sits empty (not that I think it will).

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