Comments about ‘News is asking wrong theater question’

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

*** "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.

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.

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.

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.

Vs Salt Lake? Wow. I'm dumbfounded.

Not dumbfounded - just dumb

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

*** "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.

-- 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."