Comments about ‘Plans finalized to build Provo convention center’

The Convention Center should largely pay for itself through rental rates, and should be a great place for conventions in Utah County that are now being held else where, thus substantially boosting business in Utah County. However, if revenues are insufficient to cover debt service on the convention center, then the bond is guaranteed by the tax on restaurants and hotels in Utah County, which should also be sufficient. Nevertheless, I am concerned that the restaurant tax could instead be used to prevent future property tax rate increases (the rate was increased 8.5% in 2009) and the fact that while the restaurants in Utah County will benefit from this Convention Center enormously, they are currently trying to eliminate the restaurant tax and shift the risk on the convention center to the regular taxpayer through an increase in the sales tax.

That's about the ugliest convention center I've ever seen.

Let's see...it seems like a design inspired by the Creamery on 9th, the old Wilkinson Center (before the remodel)and the old JKHB ... shrouded in glass that will be wild fun for people who want to shoot out windows.

I love Provo, but this adds no character, no style ... it's not a snazzy place I would want to have my convention or conference in.

Can set a budget and open it up to a design competition--please, pretty please?

Sorry buddy, but I just can't agree with you, I love the design of the building. It will add something unique to downtown Provo. The only thing it has in common with the locations that you pointed out is the color of the brick.

Ugly design. It reminds me of Ricks College. It would be a little better if they could get away from the sterile colored brick.

That is an ugly building. It reminds me of some of the older buildings on the Ricks College campus (BYU Idaho). Why not red brick or something different other than that hideous yellowish orangish color. I don't get the boring color.

One question. Why did they locate it in that block, when one block north all the block will be abandoned buildings as soon as Zions relocates to their new tower. This idea removes one whole side of local shops that make it hard to believe they thought through the idea of keeping downtown vibrant.

If my sources are correct, a new hotel should be going in on the old Zions bank block after they move sometime.