Deseret News | Zephyr Club eyed in possible Broadway-style theater deal

Reader comments
Zephyr Club eyed in possible Broadway-style theater deal

KingPin | 8:00 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

From the perspective of a young City Designer, it would be a big mistake in my opinion to allow parking of any variety to hold a corner lot in what could become an active and vital corner in SL. Why not let Bernalfo keep his lesser lot and put the theatre on the corner? Why not put it in a historic building? Is the decision really this complicated? It's seems that the belabored decision is only opening the door wider for Sandy to take yet another economic opportunity away from a downtown trying to rejuvenate. I'll reemphisize to close: Corner lots should be preserved for something that will aesthetically and functionally contribute to our city. Not for a parking garage. Please do not trade!

Anonymous | 8:56 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

I agree. Places to go, then places to park when you're there.

bodhi k | 9:12 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

The Zepher Club was a great venue and its a shame that anyone would let it rot away or be torn down for a parking lot. I always hoped someone would restore it and keep it going as a music venue. I saw some of the best shows there - De La Soul, Morphine, Banyan Etc... Bring it back!

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Don't Do It | 10:19 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

Bernolfo is the Mr. Magoo of downtown's land squatters. He does nothing of merit on his properties and that previously vibrant corner has been vacant for five years on his watch. It's not due to viability; Bernolfo just won't take any risk except to choose between yellow and white parking lot striping. If giving him just one more parking lot results from this then the theater should go to Sandy.

Bad idea | 11:02 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

I agree with the other postings. This would be step backward for downtown. There's a public good here and public values that need to be weighed with a single private property owner. He's obviously not very concerned with the aesthetics and vitality of the city (as evidenced by his record in maintaining his properties). It's just weird that the brother of the mayor is involved too. If the City gives in to this guy, it shows a lack of vision and confidence in the future of our downtown. If people are mostly concerned about parking, they can go to the suburbs. It's a urban experience that people want. Let's not diminish that just for the sake of convenient parking.

Bartholomew | 11:25 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

Just imagine what would happen to all those surface lots if Utah transitioned to property tax structure that taxed land alone, instead of land plus structures. Assuming a revenue neutral system, the resulting tax rates would make it too expensive to hold these huge parking lots off the development market, and it would end the current incentives to speculate on downtown property in the guise of parking.

JCH | 11:30 a.m. Aug. 5, 2008

When are Bernolfo (and his one-time (former?) partner, Stephen Bamberger, who never seems to get mentioned anymore) going to explain what caused the shuttering in the first place? Is the *hope* of a future parking lot really so much more profitable than the club was?

Is it legal? | 4:13 p.m. Aug. 5, 2008

Offering to sell land to the City if the Planning Commission approves a parking lot on a different parcel is kind of like offering to sell land if an unfavorable court ruling is overturned. I'll sell the City my car (for full value plus an option to buy back) if all my traffic tickets are voided.
Are such a deals even legal?

Steve | 5:39 p.m. Aug. 5, 2008

I don't see what's wrong with a surface parking lot on a corner property. People are saying a corner property should be something that serves the city... well isn't that the function of a parking lot? Giving people in the city a place to park their car? Sounds like service to me.

I'd like to see the theater go into the old Utah Theater.

But I don't really care what spot it ends up in, just so long as it is in Salt Lake City (as near downtown area as possible, near Capitol Theater would be good) and NOT stolen from us by Sandy. Sandy already stole RSL, don't let them steal this theater... it belongs in a big city setting, NOT in a suburban setting like Sandy.

joe | 1:36 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008

does anyone know where i can get an sun revisor for my ford zepher 1962 ?, and my car is over heating.any ideas. thank you

Anduril | 12:39 a.m. Aug. 19, 2008

A surface parking lot where the Zephyr used to be? Good grief, you've got to be kidding. Just what we need, more ugly little parking lots taking up prime real estate in downtown. How ugly, how wasteful, how incredibly stupid. Having said that, I agree with Steve - the new broadway theater belongs at the old Utah Theater. Losing that treasure will dwarf the loss of the Zephyr . . .

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Geoffrey McAllister, Deseret News

The Zephyr Club building at 301 S. West Temple has been vacant since November 2003. Landowner David Bernolfo wants to build a surface parking lot at the building's location.

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