Reader comments
Holding offers Salt Lake County property for new convention center

Q | 7:15 a.m. June 3, 2009

Wow, build a hotel and get three more conventions a year. What happens to those hotel rooms the rest of the year?

Skepticism Rising... | 7:34 a.m. June 3, 2009

Dearth of Hotels? You mean like the 1000 run down hotels near the airport!? Ick.

Mike | 7:51 a.m. June 3, 2009

Of course a convention center would benefit Holding financially by filling his, right now, white elephant hotels on the south end of downtown. Keep the Salt Palace and build the 1000 room hotel by it. Or better yet, expand the downtown Marriott hotel as part of the Gateway Project and accomplish the same thing at no cost to taxpayers.

Comments continue below

arc | 9:06 a.m. June 3, 2009

This is a dumb idea. I would like to be more kind, but it is.

I also agree that the county should not be building hotel space. There is trax stop by the 3 acre and 10 acre parcels and one closer on main street.

If we need more hotel space let the private sector do it and they can ride tracks. We have a multi-billion development down town, and why we need connections to the 5th south area, this isn't the way to do it.

Money grubbing backstabber | 9:12 a.m. June 3, 2009

Only if the Public Safety Building can be built there too and Holding pays for it.

utahenergyideas | 9:24 a.m. June 3, 2009

I like the idea of the public service building going on the 3 acre site. Moving the convention center is not smart for taxpayers or anyone.

Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. June 3, 2009

I don't understand how a new Salt Palace would fit on one and half blocks? It currently occupies the bulk of three city blocks. This makes no sense.

Anonymous | 5:34 p.m. June 3, 2009

I wasn't sure but at first I thought Holding was crazy when he built that massive boondoggle so far from the shopping areas, restaurants, and the convention center... but with idea for a new convention center I think it confirms it!

He has left this land empty (parking lots don't count) for all this time why doesn't Mr. Holdling/ Sinclair Oil grass it over and give it back to the community as a thank you for tolerating that opulent monstrosity known as Grand America.

GoUtah | 1:28 p.m. June 4, 2009

The best thing that ever happened to downtown Salt Lake is obvoiusly the addition of The Grand America. We are fortunate to have someone like Mr. Holding who is capable of building a hotel of that calibur. How dare someone say the community has to tolerate it. This City is finally on the right track and the idea of a new convention center on 5th south is BRILLIANT. Kudos to people who can finally think outside the box. People need to get over thinking Holding should pay for everything just because he's successful.

Re: GoUtah | 5:24 p.m. June 4, 2009

What are you high on? Better yet... who cuts your paycheck?

Grand American is the largest hotel with the highest rate and is the greatest distance from the current convention center. Holding should have to pay for this little venture because he would be the direct beneficiary of it. Holding's personal worth puts is him in the top 1% of Americans and he's asking the other 99% that live in the community to pay for the new convention center, he should pay for it!!! He is not thinking outside of the box.

PS: The Holding plan leaves the two Marriott Hotels, Plaza, Hilton, Monaco, Shilo Inn, and Radisson out to dry as they would be in the same position as the Grand and Little.

Stupid Idea! | 6:57 p.m. June 4, 2009

I think Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City need to talk. We need a new SL public-safety complex downtown and the best location is being offered to the county for a taxpayer nightmare.

Why would Salt Lake County Mayor or Council even consider this? Why are they even considering a public hotel to compete against Little America and the Grand America Hotel in the first place?

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