Deseret News | City Creek housing seeks buyers

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City Creek housing seeks buyers

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Ernest T. Bass | 7:16 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

How much $ for the small house?

Anonymous | 7:58 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

"other church real-estate ventures".. Any chance one could expound upon the details within these projects? Definitely would be seeing the light after that, I do imagine.

K | 8:36 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Are churches supposed to spend all the money they take in the year they take it in? The money earned from investments profits the church and it's following.

Comments continue below

evensteven | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I suspect that this project falls into the same category as the media properties, etc that are owned by the Church and run for profit. They will pay income tax on the profits and they can then be used for any business or other purpose the owners decide is appropriate.

utah rose | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

It will be interesting to see who can afford and buy these homes. I would bet it will be people like the Huntsmans, and the hierarchy of the church.

Too bad they didn't invest part of their money into low income housing.

Oh well, wouldn't want to live downtown anyway. It was bad enough working there for 30 years.

I am so proud (ugh) to be living in Sandy, the "other downtown".

Interview | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Do you have to get a bishops interview to determine if you are worthy enough to live in these apartments?

Malcolm | 9:36 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

How well Isaiah and Ezekiel prophesied of our time:

Isaiah 56:10-11
ï¿½His watchmen [are] blind: they are all ignorant, they [are] all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down loving to slumber. Yea, [they are] greedy dogs [which] can never have enough, and they [are] shepherds [that] cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.ï¿½

Ezekiel 34:
ï¿½And the Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of Man, prophesy against the Shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the Shepherds: Woe be to the Shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the Shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool (the best) ï¿½but ye feed not the flockï¿½ï¿½

Spincer Jinsen | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Only the higher-ups in COB will be able to afford these apartments.

$$ | 9:49 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Where's the pricing info?

Non-Mormon | 10:04 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I'd love to live there, but I don't want a unit that looks over Temple Square. I wonder if the south-facing units will be cheaper ;p

Dave | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Nice to see the Church's priorities, "upscale condos."

Stumbler | 10:16 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Before we start in on the church, let's wait and see how the whole project comes together.

Waiting for the results in California.

Pricing | 10:41 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

If you read the article, it specifically said pricing information was not yet available.

metro | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

How cool is it that a Church would revitalize downtown? While other churches are struggling with declining donations, the Mormons have invested wisely, and continue to do so...This will beautify downtown, bring in more tax money for our schools and public projects, make money as an entity to support the already enormous humanitarian efforts of the Mormons---something like half a billion dollars a year, and who knows what the volunteer hours total; millions I would guess. A very progressive move for a Church. Well done!

3 fold mission | 10:50 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Regardless of where the City Creek project was funded (roots in tithing or not), my question is why does the church's largest ever building project ($1-2B) have absolutely nothing to do with it's three fold mission and very much to do with making more $ and more land development???? Hmmm?

Anonymous | 10:53 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

im a non mormon and this project will be good for slc and the state. i would also love to live there but a non temple view would be nice i hope the south facing units will be cheaper

city love | 10:59 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

So a church can send millions in Humanitarian aid, Invest wisely and make even more millions to revitalize a dull, uninspiring downtown, be politically active (whether you agree with their politics or not cool that they have the huevos to do so) get their members to host free barbecues for the neighborhood, pray for moisture and we get a great ski year, and still meet on Sundays to talk about God and kindness---Wow, I love this city!

anon | 11:14 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

To those who complain that the church does not invest in low income housing--you need to read and study more about ther church. It does. This particular project doesn't include that. How could anyone revitalize downtown by filling it with low income houseing?

But over the years I have read of a nubmber of housing projects that the church has helped with over the years-- in Utah, in other states, and in other parts of the world.

Just because you don't know about something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

JanSan | 11:19 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

To be honest when I first heard about this (I live in Idaho) I was concerned about the money being spent for this. Over time I have thought and prayed about it. I do not have the answers why - but the image of Noah building the ark years before the rains came comes to mind. I know that the Lord is the head of this church and that he is running it through the prophets - I also know that I am not smart enough to second guess him or tell him what to do. He knows the future - I do not. So, I will step back on this and leave it in his hands to do as he will. I do see alot of revenue coming in for the humanitarian effort - as well as lots of jobs for people in SLC just to name a few things.

Matt | 11:21 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I simply KNOW that that has got to be a typo: "$1.5 Billion" 1.5 BILLION? If I remember correctly, the estimate was a third of that a year or two ago. When it is finally completed, will it be 2 billion? 3 billion?

Really?

That's more than the mormon church has spent on humanitarian aid in the last 20 years!

It is NOT possible.

Matt Knows Nothing | 11:37 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

You don't have the slightest clue about land development costs, road construction costs, utility costs, demolition, rerouting a creek, residential real estate sales value, commercial retail sales value and other cost and sales. Come back when you get a clue. Construction costs are one thing, the value of the land that the church already owns is probably tied in with it. Welcome to the year 2008!

Mark | 11:39 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

When I was growing up and my dad was out of work, we were provided food and help with our utility bills through the Church. They even pitched in and came and reshingled our house.

None of that was in the news. Those kinds of things happen every week where ever the Church exists.

Those who are unfamiliar with what the Church does only see what is in the news. When all you know of what the Church is doing is in the news, you get a very distorted view of reality.

Is This a Story or an AD? | 11:47 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Does the Deseret News do a story every time a new upscale condo development opens in Salt Lake? Or is the Deseret News giving free advertisements to the company/church that owns them?

Tia | 11:56 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I still wonder how they plan to fill these things...especially nowadays and will the thousands of condos going up around the valley.

Anonymous | 12:13 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Excellent project.

I can see many retirees wanting to move there.

Close to a temple. NO yard work

Family would love to come visit.

Great plan!

Anonymous | 12:24 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I love living downtown and find the location of the condos phenomenal, however, I morally can't allow my money to go to an organization bent on taking away peoples rights.

Hello? | 12:34 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

There are a lot of "glass is half empty" ingnorant people who are posting on this story. If only the world knew what the LDS Church does for people both low and upper class. If they only had eyes to see. But like always they see what they want to see even if it isn't real. It sounds like they have the "monster in the closet" syndrome going on. Sad for them, what a sorry life that must be to always see negative and pessimistic things.

Hello? | 12:38 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

It looks like there are a lot of "glass is half empty" ingnorant people posting to this story. If only they knew what the LDS Church really does for so many people across the world. It looks like there are a lot of people who convince themselves of a negative pessimistic reality. It must be a really sad life to always look for the negative in good things. I feel bad for them. It seems as though there are a lot of people who believe in the monster in the closet who really don't know what reality is.

Frank | 12:52 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

This is why I trust the churches thinking over its critics! The church is taking money its made in profit of other ventures and using it to make a profit off of rich people!! How is that irresponsable??

Do people seriously think the church can help more poor people worldwide by exploiting poor people instead with low income housing in its financial investments!! The idea is to make more money, to save more money, to give away more money. Those that make less money, to save little money, to give away the scraps can take their financial models elsewhere.

Housing - City Creek? | 1:07 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

These units will attract a lot of affluent buyers to downtown SLC. This alone is not a bad thing. It will also attract residents who are more likely to be in line with "traditional Utah Family Values" and likely to vote Republican.

Not a bad strategy.

Anonymous | 1:13 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

the hierarchy of the lds church actually live on small incomes. they are the best at learning to live frugally and can then tell their church members to do so and not be hypocrites.

Sar Casam | 1:16 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I agree that the church needs to make money off poor people in the name of charity as much as I agree with people who say we should take off the angel moroni's to give the gold to the poor.

Have you ever eaten gold before!!! Its pretty awful and awful for you.

Mo' Money | 1:26 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

This $1.5 billion project should be a nice addition to Jesusï¿½ real estate holdings. I'm sure when he commissioned this project he was only thinking of helping the poor, meek and afflicted, just like he did in the Bible. After all, that was partly the purpose of His ministry. Certainly you can all see that this is a modern day Bible story here. Will He be at the grand opening of the mall giving out free healings?
Maybe someone could explain to me how tithing money isn't used. The money for this comes from other church businesses, right? Well, where did they get the money to start those businesses? Unless the Mormon church prints its own cash at some point the money originated from tithes.

Small Incomes???!?!! | 1:32 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

LDS leaders don't get a paycheck. They work for free. They get "living expenses" in which their food, mortgage, clothing, utilities, vehicles, gas, entertainment, and any other expenses are paid for by the church.

Hmmm. Wait a second. My "paycheck" goes to food, mortgage, clothing, utilities, vehicles, gas, entertainment, and other living expenses. I guess that means I work for free and only get "living expenses."

Arthur | 1:34 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

re: Mo'Money

The church DID print its only cash at one point. And the buildings being built today have nothing on the lavish buildings the Lord (yes Christ) had built in the Bible.

Frank | 1:43 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

RE: Small Incomes. Guess where the money comes from for the "living expenses". The apostles. From what I understand if you became a leader of the church high enough that you'd take part in the "living expenses" youd surrender your paycheck and any retirement pay you earn to a large account and everyone else does the same.

Then you draw out your living expenses from that account. Its called the law of consecration where everything you own becomes property of the church. Notice the word tithing was not used once.

If you weren't being sarcastic I apologize.

why | 1:49 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

why is the church doing this?

Mo' Money | 1:55 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

re: Arthur
Did the Lord build a "lavish" mall or any kind of store? How about housing that he sold to rich folk? Did he build any of that? I understand he built places of worship and furniture for poor families (since he was a carpenter).
The money the church printed in the early day was not US currency and only had value to Mormons.

SLC4life | 2:08 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I was not aware that the LDS Church was "taking away peoples rights". Regardless agree or disagree with this project it is very forward thinking and will bring many people to live in the downtown area. ALL the new buildings being built for this project are residential. Just the exisitng buildings will be business high rises. It does not matter nor shold we be concerned where someone chooses to spend their money. i would venture to say that we would all be astounded to see the amount of humanitarian aid that the LDS Church sends across the globe each year. They do so without fanfare, just with kindness and care.
Oh, the "rights" thing. Please enlighten me. Who is having their rights taken away??

matt | 2:10 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

These buildings will not last to turn a profit. Do the math. The mormon church will never make one dollar profit from this venture.

Such a waste and at a time like this.

Couldn't they have seen this coming?

Bob In California | 2:10 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

This is a great project! From the comments made it sounds like sour grapes from most of them. Some people can't see the forest because the trees are in the way. The money spent on humanitarian aid by the church world wide is at least ten times greater that the cost of this project. The lord has now and will have in the future all that is required to do the work.

Matt | 3:11 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Why are you complaining? Shouldn't you be happy the mormons won't make any money off this?

Arthur | 3:12 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

re: Mo' Money | 1:55 p.m.

Honestly you got me there. I have to apologize, my mom was right, I do have a smart mouth. Regardless I agree, he didnt build any finacial investments.

But there's a whole lot Jesus didnt do while he was here. And I for one would give him the benifit of the doubt that if he did feel like he should handle it himself he would be a wise investor.

And if this is his church guided by him would they bury the talents they received from their master in the ground, or multiply that which they were given responsability for with the moneychangers?

I can see what your saying on the cash too, a lot of states printed their own funds though. Regardless lets pretend that the Church didnt have a cent before it came to Salt Lake. I'm sure a lot of Salt Lake City used to be church property. When they sold that would it be a tithe or a fast offering?? When they profit off a loan they take against the equity in their properties what is that?? They could make millions in a year just on property.

KM | 3:15 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

you anti-Mormons crack me up!

Members of the church would be much better off if they spent as much time as the antis spend in bashing the church.

get a life!

Matt | 3:20 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Try again, Bob.

Go to the mormon website. The ONLY thing they give numbers on is the humanitarian aid. From 1986 - 2006 it was One Billion Dollars - check out the breakdown. VERY little in actual funds. Most of it was FREE LABOR from members.

What else don't we know huh?

One more time | 3:34 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Listen carfully: The Church receives countless donations that are not tithing. Does that help to answer how it is not tithing.

For those of us who know this church is true we can see the wisdom in all that our leaders do. I stand in awe that this project came at a time when people are out of work and need these typesof projects.

Monson is an amazing man and a prophet. no doupht about ti.

Anonymous | 3:45 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Wasn't the start of this project to revitalize the downtown area? Wasn't it to get more foot traffic and shopping experiences? So how would selling low income housing help that? By making these high end housing units, it will bring in a different clientele. It will help keep SLC clean. This is a good thing for Utah.

re:Matt | 3:48 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Sounds good to me. Thats more than I gave this year! How about you?

James | 3:55 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

To all the people that are complaining that the church is spending money on other things besides the poor, don't worry cause Barrack Obama will make everything better for the poor. We won't have to worry about paying our mortgage or putting gas in our cars. Mitch mitch mitch, is that all you anti-mormon people do?

Frank | 3:56 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Even if that was all the church spent, believe me, the Church can do with a Billion what others would need 100 times as much for. Its hard to spend cash when your frugal, work with your connections at cost, and have unlimited free labor and have to answer to an allseeing omnipotent being.

I guarantee you too, that list doesnt include the $1,000.00 I received in aid. It doesnt count the thousands my Bishop puts out each year of his own cash for his members.

Sometimes the left hand doesnt know what the right is doing.

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