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04/25/2002 - Minutes PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 The City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, met in a Work Session on Thursday, April 25, 2002, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 326, City Council Office, City County Building, 451 South State Street. In Attendance: Council Members Carlton Christensen, Van Turner, Eric Jergensen, Nancy Saxton, Jill Remington Love, Dave Buhler and Dale Lambert. Also in Attendance: Rocky Fluhart, Chief Administrative Officer; Jay Magure, Chief of Staff; Roger Cutler, City Attorney; Cindy Gust-Jenson, Executive Council Director; Janice Jardine, Council Planning & Policy Analyst; Russell Weeks, Council Policy Analyst; Michael Sears, Council Budget & Policy Analyst; Margaret Hunt Community and Economic Director; and Pam Johnson, Deputy City Recorder were present. Councilmember Buhler presided at and conducted the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:31 p.m. COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL HOLD AN EXTENDED PUBLIC HEARING FOR PEOPLE WISHING TO OFFER THEIR INPUT ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY AND MAIN STREET. #1. RE: General Public Comments to the City Council: View Attachment Judy Short said lifestyles had changed and more people now shopped on the Internet. She said Main Street stores did not offer wanted merchandise. Bim Oliver, State Coordinator for Main Street Development, said the trend in development was with lifestyle centers. He said consumers were looking to work, shop and live within the same area, such as in the Gateway Center. Amy Brunvand said she recalled walking from store to store, window-shopping as a child. She said downtown changed with the major malls. She said malls took pedestrians off the street to shop inside. Stephen Schubach, owner of Standard Optical, said he felt suburban malls attracted shoppers with free accessible parking. He said downtown merchants should offer the same. Peter Ashton, owner of Xmission.com, said emphasis should be to bring people downtown rather than businesses. Katharine Biele said she was opening a charter school in the downtown area. She said these children needed activities. She said good schools would attract more businesses to the City. Chuck Klinganstein, President of the Utah Chapter of American Planning Association, said the City should develop a diverse Downtown Task Force. He said after meeting and gathering information for one year, a plan with measurable benchmarks should be put in place. Cordell Taylor said as an artist he had tried to promote the arts downtown. He said he had found many landlords and galleries uncooperative with alternative artists because their work was harder to sell. Cal Nelson said it was hard to convince suburban consumers to shop downtown. He said dormitories could be built in empty office buildings for university and college students. He said the students would use Main Street merchants. 02 - 1 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 Russell Skousen, Salt Lake County Council Member, said sales tax distribution should be analyzed. He said cities competed for sales tax by building new commercial areas, even if their residential base could not support them. He said if sales tax were used to support one downtown area, urban sprawl would be eliminated. Bill Martin said each City block downtown had individual problems. He said the solution for one block, might not work on the next. He said revitalization should be done one block at a time. Elise Lazar said providing entertainment in downtown required funding. She said color would help revitalize downtown. She said a huge fountain with areas children could play in could be used as a center focal point. She said urban trails could link downtown amenities together. She said the City' s history could be displayed on the trails. David Vickery said he had witnessed the revitalization of Pasadena, California. He said they used existing structures. He said they had a long-term plan and addressed the revitalization one building at a time. Susan Crook said she moved downtown to escape crime in the suburbs. She said green space was vital. She said a Public Parks Director needed to be appointed to provide for the parks. Kimberly Southam said small unique businesses were anchors for larger chain stores. She said small businesses needed affordable rents to make it downtown. Bentley Mitchell, downtown resident, said his family found most entertainment too expensive to participate in. He said more diverse inexpensive entertainment would draw a larger crowd. Anita Mitchell said grocery stores, dry cleaners and repair shops needed to be centrally located downtown. She said those businesses would provide for current residents and attract new ones. Jeff Leaver said zoning issues needed to be addressed. He said bars or clubs needed to be located closer together. He said this would encourage patrons to walk from one location to the next. He said clubs spread out encouraged impaired driving. He said it would be easier for police to patrol a smaller area. #2. RE: Group One will brief the Council with a five-minute presentation each: Tom Guinea, Gastronomy, said the marketplace would dictate retail business on Main Street. He said specialty shops not found elsewhere would attract shoppers. He said housing could be established at the Fairpark, incorporating historical buildings. He said the Fine Arts Center could be relocated to Main Street. Councilmember Christensen asked how well downtown restaurants were doing. Mr. Guinea said it would be a disservice to bring in additional restaurants to boost nightlife. He said restaurants were not as profitable as most thought. Councilmember Turner asked for additional information for art centers on Main Street. Mr. Guinea said the Hansen Planetarium and Promised Valley Playhouse were historical buildings and could house art centers. Bishop Edgily and Bishop McMullen represented the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day 02 - 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 Saints. Bishop Edgily said millions of tourists visited each year. He said all interested parties needed to address the Main Street revitalization. He said if invited, the Church would participate. Bishop McMullen said new ideas were needed and issues could no longer be resolved as in the past. Councilmember Jergensen questioned the current success of the Crossroads and ZCMI Malls. Bishop Edgly said neither was doing as well as they could. He said there had been discussion on joining the two malls into a super mall. Councilmember Lambert asked if there were entertainment restrictions at the Malls. Bishop Edgley said the Church owned the land under the Crossroads Mall, so certain movies and liquor were prohibited. Clint Ensign, President of Sinclair Oil, said nearly $20 million had been invested in their hotels which bordered Main Street. He said the Little America and the Grand Hotel provided 1625 guest rooms, and over 100, 000 feet of conference space. He said as a member of the Board of Governor's for the Chamber of Commerce, he wanted to urge the Council to consider their input as well. Councilmember Christensen asked if Sinclair had a Master Plan for acquired property. Mr. Ensign said future plans included high-end retail and specialty shops, along with housing and business offices. He said right now Main Street had too many empty offices and stores for them to move ahead. Kem Gardner, President of the Boyer Company, said Gateway was developed as a lifestyle center. He said a nationwide trend was zoning areas as multi use. He said people wanted to shop, work, live and socialize within walking distance. He said a 24-hour City was vital, but the Council needed to decide what types of retail would be allowed in the City. He said in 1999 a zoning overlay was imposed on the Gateway Master Plan which prohibited department stores over 100, 000 square feet in size. He said Nordstrom' s had indicated they would not renew their lease in the Crossroads Mall. He said they wanted to relocate in the Gateway Center. Mr. Boyer said he would rather see a large anchor store in the Gateway, than to lose them from downtown altogether. Councilmember Buhler asked if approval was given for anchor tenants in the original Gateway Master Plan. Mr. Boyer said there were no restrictions when approval was originally given. He said unless the restrictions were readdressed, shoppers would go to the suburbs to shop department stores such as Dillard's and Nordstrom' s. Councilmember Buhler asked how much money the City and the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) contributed to the Gateway Center. Mr. Boyer said based on property taxes generated at the Gateway, the City had promised about $17 million. Councilmember Jergensen asked why restrictions were imposed on the Gateway. Mr. Boyer said at the time it was felt it would help eliminate the deterioration of Main Street. Councilmember Love asked if any restrictions were given on office space located at Gateway. Mr. Boyer said there were no restrictions. He said he would provide the Council with a copy of the Hartford Study for an idea of a working downtown renovation. Councilmember Turner asked if plans were to expand the Gateway area. Mr. Boyer said with the success of Gateway, expansion would be inevitable. He said it depended on whether zoning restrictions were changed to allow larger stores. Tony Weller, owner of Sam Weller Bookstore, briefed the Council from the attachment. He said Downtown Merchants were competing with more alternatives for people's time and money. He said downtown needed to minimize inconveniences as compared to other shopping and entertainment venues. He said a Parking Authority should be established to keep 02 - 3 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 parking lots accessible and pricing uniform. He said local and small business owners should be given preferential treatment in licensing and taxation areas. Councilmember Turner asked how additional small businesses could be drawn downtown. Mr. Weller said business owners needed to know their patrons could park near their shops. He said wealthy property owners could afford to let their buildings sit vacant until their high rents could be met. He said this kept most small businesses from coming downtown. #3. RE: Group Two will brief the Council with a five-minute presentation each: Judy Reese, President of the Downtown Merchant' s Association, said an exciting downtown of mixed uses combined with cultural and civic activities, would attract local and out of state visitors. She said this would increase tax revenue, attract business developments, increase employment and foster the diversity of the City. Councilmember Saxton asked what should be done to begin the revitalization process. Ms. Reese said something unique needed to be offered. Councilmember Lambert asked which downtown organization should head a revitalization task force. Ms. Reese said ideal representation would be a combination of these groups plus residents, business owners and all others involved. Blaine Von Blitzen, American Towers Homeowners Association, said a vibrant downtown required a base of diverse City dwellers. He said housing development should stay in step with commercial development. He said closing the grocery store in the American Stores Building was a great loss to downtown residents. He said people wanted to shop where they lived. He said he encouraged the renovation of Main Street to included affordable housing above storefronts. He said with the downtown to University Trax line, the housing would be ideal for students. Councilmember Lambert said he was aware of noise complaints by residents when celebrations were held downtown. Mr. Von Blitzen said placement of speakers and the location of entertainment could help. Councilmember Saxton asked how much a grocery store located in a commercial building would be utilized. Mr. Von Blitzen said not only was the store convenient, but it catered to local residents carrying items not found elsewhere. Vasilios Priskos, owner of Internet Properties, said he had a unique perspective by being a business owner and a property owner in downtown. He said the Gateway Center had been advertised as a new type life center. He said Main Street needed better promotion and signs that pointed out existing amenities. He said not all types of businesses were successful downtown, but many had been around for years. He said property owners did not have vacancies waiting for higher rents. He said it was better to wait for the right use than to have a large turnover with commercial renters. He said retail was market driven. He said some businesses did better in certain locations. He said zoning regulations needed to be readdressed. Councilmember Christensen asked if brokers preferred leasing in the suburban malls to downtown. Mr. Priskos said the tenant made the decision. He said National Retailers were concerned about anchor stores leaving downtown. He said Main Street needed a mix of large chain stores and specialty local shops. Councilmember Turner said the City should implement ideas from past consultant studies, rather than commission more studies. He said the Thompson Study suggested an open-air 02 - 4 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 mall on Main Street. Mr. Priskos said it was time to begin to implement these ideas. Clayton Folger, an owner of the Crossroads Mall, said Nordstrom' s wanted to move to Gateway. He said if they were not allowed to do so, they would leave downtown altogether. He said the loss of the major anchor tenant in the mall would be devastating. He said without them it would be difficult to attract other large retailers. He said the mall had remodeled and updated to keep it attractive to current and prospective tenants. He said a successful retail layout needed to be anchored on either end by a major tenant. Councilmember Christensen asked if the mall location had been considered for any other use. Mr. Folger said movie theatres or restaurants would not work with the property restrictions from the LDS Church. He said housing would not work in the existing structure. Councilmember Saxton asked what would prompt a retailer with a positive cash flow such as Nordstrom's to leave their established location. Mr. Folger said retailers were often given large dollar incentives to move. Kent Money, the President and Chief Economic Officer of Zion' s Securities, said freeway and light rail construction had hurt downtown. He said the ZCMI Center had spent the last two years working to revitalize their mall with new retail. He said the May Company, owners of Meier and Frank, had spent hundreds of thousands to update retail in the mall. He said more office tenants wanted clauses put into leases, stating if retail in their building failed they would be let out of the lease Councilmember Christensen asked about a time frame the ZCMI Center was looking at to restructure the mall. Mr. Money said they were working with a consultant. Councilmember Jergensen asked how the ZCMI Mall could interact with other merchants directly on Main Street not just within the mall. Mr. Money said it would be important to find the right mix of retailers. Councilmember Saxton asked if Zion's Securities had plans for the open space they had in the downtown area. Mr. Money said they were looking at several options. #4. RE: Group Three will brief the Council with a five-minute presentation each: Cliff Doner, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau, said their mission was to improve the area' s economy by attracting convention spending. He said other cities were after additional monies as well. Councilmember Buhler asked how much money conventions brought into the City. Mr. Doner said conventions brought in about $200 million last year. He said revitalization of downtown could bring in larger groups and more money. Councilmember Christensen asked if the City had enough convention space. Mr. Doner said the Salt Palace needed to be expanded. He said the Olympics moved Salt Lake City into the spotlight, but the City needed to work to keep those people attracted. Richard Wirick, owner of the Oxford Shop and the Public Relations Officer for the Downtown Merchants Association, briefed the Council from the attachment. He said there were four ideas to help the downtown area. He said the first was parking. He said available parking needed to be advertised. He said the second solution was to fill street front vacancies. He said he was willing to donate items to fill store windows of landlords holding out on renting their buildings. He said this would at least give 02 - 5 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002 the illusion of activity. He said the third solution was to work with the news media. He said the fourth solution was to adopt a Sister City which had addressed these same issues and look at the solutions they had come up with. Councilmember Christensen asked if Mr. Wirick' s store was in a successful location. Mr. Wirick said he actually moved his store back to this location. Councilmember Lambert asked how a Downtown Task Force could be established. Mr. Wirick said present the revitalization questions to organizations and university students. Jack Hammond, the Chapter President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) , said the problem was there were many good ideas but no shared vision. Kirk Huffaker, Assistant Director of the Utah Heritage Foundation, said the City should focus attraction and retention on small and unique businesses. He said although small businesses averaged only 11 employees, they created 85% of all new jobs. He said small businesses would fit well in Main Street's historical buildings. He said high tech companies wanted to renovate downtown' s historical buildings rather than work in a mall. He said the City needed to hire a Main Street Manager to focus full-time on the issues and implementing the solutions. Councilmember Christensen asked how life safety issues could be met with building renovations. Mr. Huffaker said life safety codes were flexible enough to offer several options. He said many buildings in the City were great examples of unique ways code was met. #5. RE: Margaret Hunt briefed the Council on the revitalization of Main Street and the downtown area. She said it was important to obtain public input and support and to create an environment for shared problem solving and consensus building. She said contingency plans needed to be established. Ms. Hunt said adding activities and education for children, implementing programs such as the Vision For Arts and Culture, and Walkable cities would emphasize the City's strengths. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m. pi 02 - 6 5:30 p.m. General Public 2 minute Comments to the City Council. (If possible, please ensure that Judy Short,former Planning Cmsn. member is able to speak during this time.) 6:00 p.m. Five minute presentations — Group one ■ Tom Guinney - Gastronomy, Inc. ■ Clint Ensign - President, Sinclair Oil ■ Bishop McMullen or Bishop Edgley, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (on behalf of Bishop Burton) ■ Kem Gardner — President, Boyer Company ■ Tony Weller — Owner, Sam Weller's Bookstore 7:00 p.m. Five minute presentations — Group two ■ Judy Reese — President, Downtown Merchants Association ■ American Towers — Homeowners Association representative ■ Vasilios Priskos —Internet Properties ■ Clayton Foulger — Vice President, Foulger Pratt, (on behalf of Crossroads Mall, Randy Okland, etc.) ■ Kent Money —President & CEO, Zions Securities 7:45 p.m. Possible Break 8:00 p.m. Five minute presentations — Group three ■ Cliff Doner — CFO, Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau ■ (tentative) Rich Nordland— Colliers Commerce CRG Tentative — another commercial real estate representative may attend in place of Mr. Nordland ■ Richard Wirick— Owner, Oxford Shop and Public Relations Officer, Downtown Merchants Association ■ Jack Hammond— Chapter President, American Institute of Architects (AIA) ■ Kirk Huffaker —Assistant Director, Utah Heritage Foundation Wrap-up by Margaret Hunt SLC Council Downtown/Main Street Revitalization Comments? Thursday, April 25th, 2002 I am here by your invitation as the President of the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association and I represent well over 350 professional public and private sector planners and as well as many elected and appointed public officials in Utah. The perspective — I bring to you is multifaceted. • As concerned citizen • As a former planning commissioner • As a former city councilman • As a former adjunct professor in land use and growth management • And currently as a senior project planner in charge of planning and entitlements for an engineering firm here in SLC. Having sat on your side of the table in a similar position, I can empathize with your concern and quandary. So my comments will hopefully be balanced, honest, well intentioned, but at times uninformed since I have not been intimately involved in SLC planning and politics. I must admit that I am surprised at the slow erosion of the downtown area and specifically Main Street. In my planning classes at the University of Utah, I used to say that one of the main reasons our downtown had continued to prosper was the key anchor tenant of the downtown, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was firmly entrenched in the downtown. Once again, socio/economic forces has proven to be more powerful than expected and I am again reminded not to underestimate them. We cannot always compete — sometimes we have to reinvent ourselves. I know there is not going to be any one silver bullet to solve the ills of downtown and it will take the minds of many to attempt to do so. Once again, we all find ourselves at the proverbial fork in the road. So I would strongly suggest the first decision that you the Council must make is, "Does the City intervene in the market place or not." Let's face it, you already have in the past, but I would hazard to guess that as a less then knowledgeable outsider looking in, it probably has been in a sporadic, somewhat uncoordinated manner. My personal feelings are that the viability of downtown SLC and specifically Main St. is of major concern not only to the citizens, workers and officials of SLC but to many citizens of the greater SL metropolitan region and therefore the government should continue to interject itself into the market place but it should be done in a comprehensive, coordinated manner. My outsider view gives me the impression that many studies and plans have been completed over the past many years. Yesterdays SL Tribune alluded to fact that "piles" of studies have been completed and each "one inch document has a solution." They mentioned a few: • The Second Century Plan - 1962 • A Regional Urban Design Assistance Team - 1988 • And a Thomas Consultants Study 2000 Additionally it was pointed out that leaders have spent a fourth of the city's money on a tenth of the city's land. And TRAX trains have brought plenty of passengers, but not enough store patrons. Nothing has reversed the trend. All of your efforts, as well as the private sectors, the Downtown Alliance, and other interest groups, have been well intentioned and I believe they have been, as individual actions, good ideas. However, what I fail to see is how all of these efforts are being coordinated in a comprehensive fashion. Are they supportive of each other? Are we getting the biggest bang for the buck? So here is my humble recommendation. I would suggest that SLC establish a Downtown/Main Street Action Task Force. This task force would not be some blue ribbon committee but a group of dedicated individuals representing the diverse interests in the downtown area. These should include the city, county, property owners, churches, merchants, hoteliers, restaurants, associations, interest groups, and other stakeholders. This would be a manageable sized group that would be dedicated to attending all meetings and making the time available to prepare for the meetings. The Task Force would have a limited time duration for up to one year so that the members know that you are asking them for complete dedication for a limited period of time. The City would allocate significant staff time and resources to this effort beginning with the assemblage of all relevant studies, reports, specific plans, etc. Once these are compiled, the members of the Task Force and staff would read the information that has been created over the past many years as well as the recommendations/solutions/actions. Staff would develop a document summarizing the information and proposed recommendations/solutions/actions evaluating them with the actions already taken by the city through its many agencies, the private sector, and non- profits such as the Downtown Alliance and others. At the first meeting of the Task Force, members and staff will need a significant amount of time to fully discuss all of the information and staff review report. From this information, the Task Force will need to develop a work plan and meeting schedule for up to one year depending on what the group feels appropriate. The process will also allow for significant public input. Public planning charrettes may be used. There are many ideas in addition to those generated by the many studies and people already involved. The difficulty will be distilling them down into a manageable action plan. The common end goal will be an action plan that will coordinate all of the efforts of the City and its agencies, county and its agencies, property owners, merchants, hoteliers, churches, restaurants, associations, interest groups, and other stakeholders. This action plan would not just be about building stuff. It would look at the hardware and software components that make up a viable downtown core. This action plan will probably necessitate a Steering Committee made up of the before mentioned interest groups which would meet often to help implement, coordinate and monitor and validate the action plan and its results. City government cannot alone solve the issues of downtown. Nor can any one of the before mentioned interest groups. Again, as an outsider looking in, it appears that a lot of work and study has been done, lots of money has been spent by the public and private sectors, but the results have not be systematically reviewed for success or failure. This will be a difficult process fraught with controversy and hard decisions. In many cases, it will be like herding cats given the nature of the competing interests in the downtown. But I certainly believe that it is an effort worthy of your consideration. Thank you for your time and interest. Chuck Klingenstein President, Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association • U T A H HERITAGE fff FOUNDATION April 25, 2002 Salt Lake City Council 451 South State Street Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Dear Council Members: Place is power. Main Street is a distinctive place. Main Street has power. Unlike other places, downtown has the power to evoke the strong images of celebration, deal-making, attitude, defeat, dreams, and success. Dreams were realized on Main Street in the form of buildings, monuments to capitalism and capitalists. These same building are now historic and historic buildings are a part of every success story of downtown revitalization in the U.S. We thank you for the opportunity to provide our input to the City about Main Street. Utah Heritage Foundation encourages the City to undertake a revitalization plan that fully implements the use of downtown historic buildings. Here are our suggestions on how to further revitalization. The City should leverage the remaining time and funding for the downtown redevelopment district in the most effective ways possible. Let's not forget that there are great stores, restaurants, and businesses in buildings on Main Street today. Some of these are products of RDA involvement. Leveraging the RDA's abilities will of course include the typical funding for tenant improvements and facade renovation, but let's think further about how the RDA and other city agencies can facilitate Main Street revitalization. The City should focus on the attraction and retention of small businesses. This should be done without neglecting the needs of vital large downtown tenants. Though only averaging 11 employees each, small businesses create 85%of new jobs and are the fastest growing types of businesses in the U.S. today. Where are these companies going to locate? Other than the strip malls being built in other communities, where else are small companies going to locate that can provide them with opportunity with flexible space, great exposure, and reasonable rent? Small business fits into Main Street's smaller historic buildings or larger historic buildings that have smaller floorplates. Whether it's the Judge Building, the Deseret Building, or First Security Bank on 400 South, it can work in a historic building. With the city's jump to sixth in the country in online accessibility, shouldn't downtown serve as a focus of high tech growth? Yes it should and 70%of high tech firms employ less than 10 people. High tech fits into historic buildings just as well as stores, restaurants, and offices. We have prime examples of how this works with the Sweet Candy Company Building, Morrison-Merrill, Ford Motor Company Building, and the new data center installed after renovation of the historic Battery Building on 400 South by XMission. Memorial House, Memory Grove Park PO Box 28 • Salt Lake City, Utah 84110-0028 The city should not do the work alone.Partnerships will continue to be crucial in order to achieve a common vision and an ultimate success. The city should form coalitions with many groups such as the Downtown Alliance for activities and economic development, Downtown Merchants Association for downtown business support and promotion, and the Utah Cultural Alliance for programming arts in vacant buildings or windows. This could all be part of the work of the Main Street manager. The City should hire a Main Street manager. Someone needs to be working full time on Main Street issues and should implement the National Trust for Historic Preservation's"Main Street four- point approach"that has been successful in reviving towns all over the country as well as mixed-use neighborhoods in Boston and Chicago. This person needs to work with corresponding agencies and organizations to achieve the City goals for Main Street. For example, in Boston they have a citywide Main Street coordinator and neighborhood coordinators to address issues in each participating neighborhood. The Main Street program is designed to be a comprehensive commitment to address the full scope of issues associated with downtown revitalization through a four-point approach that consists of: Organization-building community consensus and cooperation in the revitalization process;Design - enhancing the physical appearance of the business district;Promotion- marketing the business district's assets;Economic Restructuring- strengthening and expanding the business district's economic base. Utah Heritage Foundation is committed to working with Salt Lake City and its partners in this process. We would propose to help in the following ways: ► assist the City in the formation and development of an urban Main Street program for Salt Lake City; ► lobby to pass the 20% state rehabilitation tax credit bill in the 2003 State Legislature; ► utilize matching grants through the National Trust for Historic Preservation for Main Street building analyses and rehabilitation feasibility studies; ► provide developers with a list of banks and institutions that participate in federal rehab tax credit projects; ► research tax abatement programs around the country that Salt Lake City could implement to encourage additional rehabilitation; ► assist the City in changing other legislation or ordinances that currently inhibit rehabilitation and occupancy such as building codes for rehabilitation; ► cross promote downtown events in our newsletter. We believe the time is right to take the momentum and turn a state of flux around. This is a genuine opportunity to take the best ideas of the community,the Administration,the Council, and past consultants, and use them and the power of Main Street to turn dreams, defeat, attitude and historic buildings into success. Sincerely, Kirk Huffaker Assistant Director 5 Minutes on What Downtown Needs for City Council meeting 25 April 2002 Thank you for inviting me to speak today. I have four areas of concern about our downtown, the traditional cultural, civic and commercial center of the State. Some of them will be hard to address without a radical shift of perspective about the balance of community and property rights. But because of it's character, the architecture, the hotels,,the Temple, TRAX, and this building in which we meet, if properly guided, this neighborhood could be the most alluring in our City. Please remember as i speak that as a retail and entertainment district, downtown competes with more alternatives than it ever has in the past. I sent the council a letter containing my thoughts on parking but for the record i will reiterate my main points. First i want to state my support for mass transit. It will be an crucial part of our future. But if we are to avoid further downtown decline, we must accommodate the automobile until the transition is complete. I want to express gratitude to the RDA for making funds available to improve pedestrian access to the existing American Towers parking on our block. I am grateful too to Bruce Bingham of Hamilton Partners and Mike Weller (no relation) of Diamond Parking for the generous attention they have given to our parking needs. We must achieve City parking that is so easy for users to comprehend and use that it minimizes inconvenience when compared to other choices. To do this, i suggest the establishment of a parking authority to regulate the Central Business District's parking policies and pricing to ensure maximum user ease. The Downtown Alliance's Token plan is great but i am concerned about the efficacy of a dollarvalued token. A time valued token would be much better received by the public. Difficulties associated with validating prepay lots have caused me to conclude that they are not user friendly and should be converted to attendant lots which are easier to validate and more convenient for users. Last, i urge you to facilitate an idea from the Mayor's office to establish cheap or free municipal lots near TRAX stops at the edges of UTA's free fare zone. Many buildings on our block have no designated parking. They have been often vacant for lack of confidence about parking. But property speculation is as great a contributor to our vacancy problems as parking. High rent expectations and the ability of the wealthy to permit properties to go unoccupied exacerbate our problems. It is time to admit that our downtown is being held hostage to the financial interests of a few. We must find ways to create financial disincentives from such community blighting practices. I used to think that the local person of moderate means deserved equal treatment. Nowi think, as Colleges accept that residents deserve cheaper tuition than non-residents, local small businesses deserve preferential treatment. Creative adjustments to property taxes, business taxes, business licencing fees or Downtown Alliance assessments might compel property owners to utilize, rent or sell so the rest of us do not have to suffer the effects of their speculation. Anent City efforts, i urge a careful consideration of how the public's money will be spent in the future. Assist diversely and on smaller scales. Reject the tax increment justification for tax credits or grants because new shops do not increase spending. They simply draw business away from other businesses. When the City contributes to the bottom line of a specific development or retailer, it is an unfair disadvantage to un- favored competitors. Since the same imbalance could exist on a smaller level, i suggest adjusting one or two of the aforementioned taxes or assessments to give the same advantageous deals to local entities. Don't let City become become another form of corporate profit. The last point i will make is that no matter how many of our challenges we overcome, we must ask our selves what kind of businesses, restaurants, arts organizations, entertainment and development will enable our downtown compete effectively. The answers will be qualified by uniqueness or excellence. Invest locally. Local businesses are unique by nature and only local businesses will be dedicated to the long term health of the communities in which they are rooted Many buildings on our block have no designated parking. They have been often vacant for lack of confidence about parking. But property — speculation is as great a contributor to our vacancy problems as parking. High rent expectations and the ability of the wealthy to permit properties to go unoccupied exacerbate our problems. It is time to admit that our downtown is being held hostage to the financial interests of a few. We must find ways to create financial disincentives from such community blighting practices. I used to think that the local person of moderate means deserved equal treatment. Nowi think, as Colleges accept that residents deserve cheaper tuition than non-residents, local small businesses deserve preferential treatment. Creative adjustments to property taxes, business taxes, business licencing fees or Downtown Alliance assessments might compel property owners to utilize, rent or sell so the rest of us do not have to suffer the effects of their speculation. Anent City efforts, i urge a careful consideration of how the public's money will be spent in the future. Assist diversely and on smaller scales. Reject the tax increment justification for tax credits or grants because new shops do not increase spending. They simply draw business away from other businesses. When the City contributes to the bottom line of a specific development or retailer, it is an unfair disadvantage to un- favored competitors. Since the same imbalance could exist on a smaller level, i suggest adjusting one or two of the aforementioned taxes or assessments to give the same advantageous deals to local entities. Don't let City become become another form of corporate profit. The last point i will make is that no matter how many of our challenges we overcome, we must ask our selves what kind of businesses, restaurants, arts organizations, entertainment and development will enable our downtown compete effectively. The answers will be qualified by uniqueness or excellence. Invest locally. Local businesses are unique by nature and only local businesses will be dedicated to the long term health of the communities in which they are rooted THE REVITALIZING OF DOWNTOWN --- - A CONTINUED EFFORT (q'25/02) BY RICHARD M. WIRICK Following are four specific solutions: I. Solving the Parking Problem. Properly presented we can prove that there is plenty of parking Downtown. The problem is the lack of Signage which will lead people to ample parking lots behind the Tribune Building, The American Stores (Wells Fargo) Parking Plaza, and virtually that entire block of underground plaza plus many other places. I also recently learned that the Convention and Visitors Bureau at the Salt Palace has advertised the availability of 500 parking spaces at a cost of only $50 per month. I would suggest giving free two-hour parking, other than just on Saturday. However, be sure to never give free parking for a day. As proven in the past, office employees would take advantage of that. There are many places Downtown where street parking could be made available and in some cases even space-saving angle parking could be re-introduced. II. Filling the Street -Front Vacancies on Main Street and d Broadway (3rd South). The solution to filling three major areas of street front vacancies are : A. Don't just remember Broadway as it was with Auerbachs, The Paris, etc. We have it virtually within our power to bring it back to its original splendor by renting out to Specialty Shops and Restaurants in the seven finished spaces at the base of the American Stores (Wells Fargo) Parking Plaza. They were designed for this use. Let us take this opportunity. B. Howa Property ((Utah Theatre, Shapiro's, Daynes Music). The Howa's want to leave this property vacant for future development. However, to show their Civic Pride, I can offer to supply them, at no cost, or liability on their part, free furniture, fixtures, displays and posters in order to create a beautiful Civic Display. C. The six finished small units between the Hotel Monaco and Dahles. These places are a natural for Civic Organization Headquarters, Specialty Shops and Restaurants. Keep in mind that several units may be combined if need be. III. Gaining the Confidence and Support of the News Media. Both the SL Tribune and the Deseret News have been very cooperative. I found that if you give them a good human interest story with a positive and optimistic point of view, they can be a major key in obtaining the support of the general public for our cause. Therefore, let us make every effort to work with the News Media and put forth our efforts of achieving our common goal of creating one of the Finest Downtowns in America. The recent Olympics were a good example. SLC was one of the finest Host Cities. Let us keep up the Enthusiasm and Momentum. IV. Selecting a Sister City as a Guideline. Freiburg im Breisgau in Germany could serve this purpose. Freiburg, in many ways, has the same basic qualities as Downtown SLC: A. A Rich History (Culture, Theaters, etc.) B. A major University (The Oldest in Germany) C. Adjacent Ski Resorts D. Size E. Natural surroundings such as forests, mountains and parks. F. Major Tourist Attractions. Downtown Freiburg has incorporated all the above qualities and has made the city the focal point. It created a ten-block downtown area of absolute charm and beauty combining the old with the new. I was in Freiburg not too long ago and became acquainted and very impressed with the city. It might be worthwhile for some of our Council Members and other officials to visit Freiburg to compare the two cities and bring home ideas of what can be done with very little effort and cost. Downtown Merchant A ociatior (Retail,Restaurants,Banks,Hotels,etc...) Public R lations Offic r Richard M.Wirick (Owner-Oxford Shop-Shoes For Men) 57 W. 100 South-355-8636 ' K:7 International Council of Shopping Centers .4.,,.. ',:i1:4:5..e.'7 <$( -r-Vy, --, ,..-Atiht,A-16-$.4- L its ;A 11- I, r1111-a 1 !:" C fyr _-1 t.@ye I _I i-I r. ty of.15 J ,• L au , . 1 "ill .--Iiii i — o , qi ,04,0.. _ 7 ' A... C rie: ling Hartford Civic Center mall is being replaced by a tdui'ed-use project that will include retail and luxury housing. ` Mling Ha d mall � � to:get new lease on life �;,as..mixed-use proj ect BY MAURA K. AMMENHEUSER Despite its name, Hartford's Civic Center mall is hardly a source of civic pride. The 26-year-old center hasn't aged well.Its con- crete exterior is routinely described as "bunker-like." The mall's riddled with vacancies,traffic has slowed and it's lost money for years. But after a long slow tailspin, it may get a second life. Northland Investment Corp., Newton, Mass., expects to 7 D Ord /t/1?4if"-ji raze the mall, replacing it with a 930,000-square-foot mixed-use project that includes retail, offices and a 250- unit luxury housing tower. Construction is slated to begin next summer and wrap up in 2004. Northland's officials aren't the only ones enthused.Con- necticut's Gov. John Rowland and Hartford leaders want the overhauled mall, among other projects, to help resur- rect the capital's downtown,which,like many others,emp- ties at night. Public and private officials hope that a made- over Civic Center to be renamed Town Square will become a symbol of lartford's rebirth instead of a mani- festation of its decline. "If you paint ,in X on L:inund :er„ lin I I,irihird\ See HARTFORD page 42 • I V1i i I IUI IIU C, • ' Hartford bunging and it afficl to downtown,"he mote,Is attached loot center. thrives live Mlle, ass as in said. Plus, several sources noted, the Office tower, .street-level retail and Farmington, the I million-situate-toot huare-toot t wall-like, invatd-facing malI forces restaurants surround the complex; two Pavilions at Rockland [fills is 10 mules from page 1 pedestrians around,not through it pedestrian bridges link it to nearby east In Manchester lowntow'n], you're painting it between "\Ve need more people Invig down- building, Finally, the Cis lc Center's clunk., ilFri ntbiiii and Asylum and Pearl town,"added Saundra Kee Borges, Hart- But the mall was neser a hlocklustet ini,tls wmdowles, extenot mew dingy the ccntet's location, said ford's city manager This project Is"excit- Aetna,the insurance giant that built it In and formidable over rime The interior, Standish, Northland's vice press- mg because it has the residential 1975, won't disclose sales figures, bur built around a large atrium and huge sky- lent and director of acquisitions and component,"she said. spokesman Fred Laberge acknowledged light. is blight enough, but the decor is levelopmcnt."Civic Center has been a Civic Center Mall has roughly 400,000 the company has lost$60 million on the bland.Occupancy is at 45%,Laberge said. <ey piece [for politicians seeking nevi- square feet of retail on three levels,with a center. The recession of the early '90s An uncertain future meant vacancies ali:ation projects] because it's been parking garage underneath. Veterans pummeled Hartford,and the mall with it. weren't filled as leases expired. dentified as a failed development. It Memorial Coliseum, which hosts con- Two suburban centers pose steep compeu- Aetna has tried for years to sell the lever really rook hold as a retail mall. certs,the AHL Hartford Wolfpack hock- non. place,part of a larger effort to unload real Me design is unattractive. It's not ey team, UConn basketball games and Westfarms Mall, a 1.3 million-square- estate to concentrate on health insurance, Laherge said.It's also spent monde,if not years, in complex negotiations with the city and state over the mall's future. Lots THE STRATEGY of people have a stake in it.Aetna leases "- ' Controlled growth through delivery of quality locations the land from Hartford,and the Coliseum =liq . is owned by the Connecticut Develop• �' ' -,I'_ '_ THE PLAN $ _ "l%7r f-lgil„uyr Add to our existing 4100 store fleet throughout 24 states and FACT FILE c-� �- the District of Columbia and lookingfor li„I T. E-r - opportunities to expand ��. + L into new markets. Town Square -suessIts. - use— -_ q f {ri%%; ; ;. THE RIGHT LOCATIONS :' Location:Hartford,Conn. ;yam_,,; / Freestanding;Downtown;Convenient. Developer.Northland Investment Corp. r We re % Architect Childs Berman Tseckares Inc. At/ ✓ Prototype size 10,880 sf(85 X 128)with Drive Thru Pharmacy. V. ,1 / Minimum 1.5 acres of land to accommodate parking for 60+cars. Contractor.Turner Construction(pre- N. ,i construction) 'k ' Going ✓ Preferred demographics of minimum 18,000 people in the trade p area. .. Anchors To be announced :f; trti� Places. . . Size:930,000-square-foot mixed-use g Please contact us at(401)770-4310 with your site. project with 70,000 square feet of retail 1. 44 Watch Us Don't forget to visit our web site at www.CVS.com to obtain ' .- f additional information. i�F--.'ck`r:.iiS`wk='�+m+rn. ��4:.'faft�_ A.^.;rr3 Grow! merit Authority and operated:t: cvs® RealtyCo Square Gar In April, everyone finally $120 million redevelopment deal.Various state and city agencies will contribute Real Estate•Construction&Engineering•Real Estate Finance•Property Administration(including Surplus Property Disposition) $37.5 million, plus $3.6 million in sales tax relief. Aetna will retain an$8 million stake in the property.The city will transfer land- LorT,/ L a n a n Land: Aetnause rights from Aetna to Northland,and the developer will invest $6 mouton in equity. " Develo ment Northland must also come up with some $70 million in private financing. TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE ] PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE I CLIENT RESPONSIVENESS ' . Northland took on theCivicCenterpart- .. Engineering ly to enhance its other Hartford holdings, Integrated Engineering and Environmental Solutions Standish said; this project brings its SicesServices investment in downtown to$200 million er A healthy Town Square ss'ould obviously boost the overall value of its portfolio •Conceptual Planning/Site Engineering Northland has an ambitious, multipart •StorrnwaterManagement plan for the property.The Coliseum will •Permitting/Regulatory Approvals remain;offices and a sports club will join • Land Surveying it The centerpiece is The Atrium, a • Geotechnical Engineering/ glassed-us area offering a pretty slew and Foundation Design space ter lunchtime concert, and other •Traffic and Transportation Engineering es etlis • Landscape Architecture The ietall poiuon ssnn't lie huge,only •Wetland Delineation/Mitigation about 70,000 square feet, the pniject's • GIS/Computer Animations nusun d'OIre is the housing rower, nu[ t. Langan •Water Supply/Hydrological Investigations the shopping, Standish said But the Engineering tiro Envlronmernal Services •Sanitary Treatment Plant Design retail design has a crucial feature- an Michael Semeraro,P.E. Cabot Hudson,P.E. N • Environmental Assessments extern,II, street-level orientation, tin u- msemeraro@langan.coin chudson@langan.com ing shopper, In rather th.In blocking (201)794-6900 g �'A/%til�s'`�� arownflelds Redevelopment the nl It (215)864-0640 • Waterfront Rehabilitation As lot mcichandl,ing. "II', dial to NEW JERSEY NEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA CONNECTICUT FLORIDA www.langan.com till, n,t, p'I' II1I ,1,,us I,Isle is is Wine ill' 47`,( I See HARTFORD page 44 w I ,OCus \ew Enc EPd ., tford • k; a page 42 s ,.. . '.,=-,,, s• l ' r . the right tenant mix," Standish 1.f,f, .:, -ya t ,. •• f•.• NMI ifcg Riy to lure tourists,office workers and r r ,t ail . r 'l '' �ppC � 1' =r• ij t} -F (lIR IIIIII� ®_ young professionals and empty ; �i �` 111�. `,/, A} •rs he expects will live in the r . 1 wants premier merchants open ,,,,,L ling until late night in the most V•• r -?^^c� s ,r °r.7r;r 1 w . . le, street-corner spaces; restau v . may._ I 1 I 1 1t {e ' .. , or bookstores with cafes, would ` 1 eat. • .ts«, • armacies, wine shop,, cote/slsipt ing ( ' �"""`�- -- - � shops elsewhere in the mall closed; Arthur's picked up the slack. . + - ? "We're looking for other locations," from eonee t The walled-in design of Hartford's Civic Center mall forces pedestrians around the said Dick Smith, owner of Successories, Pcenter,rather than through it. which sells inspirational hooks, art and TO CREATION other wares. centers and a grocery would work well there. "We're not going anywhere," said He has no immediate plans to leave, elsewhere.The project also needs upscale Alex Segorra,a Rainbow real estate exec- however."Business is slow because people boutiques. utive. think the mall is closed." Meanwhile, many current merchants He wants to keep those shops either Corporate sales "keeps us going," he say they want to stay until demolition in Town Square or nearby. "We have a said. imem. ' begins.Northland will deal with its leases base there," he said, fashion-conscious "We definitely want to move back on a case-by-case basis,Standish said. youths on moderate budgets. "We're here," said Karolyn Karlson, manager of Though the mall's problems are obvi- doing OK.It's almost empty,but people The Unique Antique,which opened with igA-- t_ <. ous, tenants say Coliseum events and find us." the mall. �.-- .':"w` office workers keep them afloat,and they "We're holding our own,"said Jay Mas- Business isn't what it should be, she express great loyalty,though none would triani,owner of Arthur's,a card and con- said,but"we work on a repeat customer reveal sales levels. venience shop that's operated in the mall basis"and sell via the Internet to supple- Brooklyn,N.Y.-based Rainbow Apparel for 20 years,with 13 left on the lease.He ment store sales."We definitely want to Cos., for example, has three boutiques actually benefited when card and tobacco stay." 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A assistance Since 1985 $2,400,000 , n,iracrn.no,i h,Gn, `he Ong inol Crnotors of ,.la,�iur i.hi./ PioPO,en nlinganon %,ein,, „, iia, A,r•a•i Staples in-it,„,IS vnu heol,rile... • Route 114 'eLddletotvri.Rhode I 1 'renunuh•ne lul IIPjw,1,111l nilonnditinl ' Intl 3..tr q,Lng Ini nl our i. •, rmtiGiew dr ,,,,:ii„ .:n,., i• • .ren o, :. ihmi.dnd.of Jmniv,r,n. i',,,r,••„d r.i,.n nugr CaU ddr,�,udn, , „ .,�•Uu.,,.�.. P., , ,.< AL help OFFICES ,r•a■•111s • Constituent Comments Regarding Downtown Revitalization AlioATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT Apr Tom Markus Responding to letter of 4/8. Live on 20th floor of Email Am.Towers across from G-Plaza. Suport active downtown, but deeply concerned about noise. It must be limited in frequency, ending time and decibel level. Must be enforced. Windows rattle, have to use ear plugs to sleep. Problem must be solved or residents will move and prop. values will fall; tax revenues will shrink. 10-Apr Blake Howell Supports revitalization; however, adequate parking is Email necessary. Nead more residential neighborhoods downtown. Move all Crossroads stores to Main Street. Make Crossroads a parking garage. 12-Apr West Zollinger One thing that bothers downtown shoppers is teenaged Email kids bothering people, asking for$, being obnoxious, using foul language, intimidating others. Can loitering be prevented in front of the mall? 15-Apr Mystere Sapia, APA I dislike paying for parking because I rarely carry cash. Email Member Positives: window shopping, art stroll in warmer weather, outdoor cafe areas appear warm, inviting, and lively. Suggestions: assist developers, remodel existing buildings, revise City guidelines for street level facades to include • landscaping and art. Consider what other cities have done: Santa Cruz and Washington DC. 15-Apr Donald L. Steiner Mr. Steiner is angry that part of Main was sold to the LDS Email church, no input on where to go from here. Judge Building The Judge Building Group writes that a parking garage on Email Group, Victor the southwest corner of 4th South and Main St. would Kimball benefit many including Earl Holding who owns the parcel. Pace and Hughes Pace and Hughes Corporation suggests: parking, Corporation, Craig underground cross-traffic at several intersections, street Hughes level renovation and storefronts. 17-Apr Linda Sarver Keep the noise generated by events at Gallivan Plaza in Email Gallivan Plaza. Do not make people who have chosen to not attend the event hear what is going on. One musician indicated that he was told to stop by 10 p.m., but no noise level restriction was conveyed to him. 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 1 of 6 • Constituent Comments Regarding Downtown Revitalization DATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT •-APr Roger Thompson 1. What are the vacancy#s downtown? 2. For the places Email (former Council that are vacant, why is that? If it is b/c property owners Member) aren't leasing/selling for a reason, explain that to the public. 3. Assess the economic vitality of the downtown - are the malls helping, hurting or not affecting compared to the store front retail? 4. Let Nordstrom leave if they want - two malls are too many downtown, and don't encourage foot traffic. If one mall closes, their real estate could be well used elsewhere. 5. Thomas Consultants study - use downtown workforce population, tourists, TRAX riders, etc. 6. Parking 16-Apr Roger& Maria Music is too loud downtown - can the City be an attractive Email Thompson place without having music that is too loud? 17-Apr R. Peter Stevens Define vision for SLC, Stop spotty development - needs Email consistency, expand & enhance the walkable areas - right now it ends at 300 south, develop housing & mixed use in some vacant buildings, deal w/ homeless, create centers and visit-ability around hotels (Marriott not safe, and dirty grocery store, Grand America has nothing No., So, East), identify target audience, look to other cities for their experience, advertise decision *-Apr Michael Martin Lack of comprehensive plan, absence of community Email leadership to implementation, allocation of public capital to finance plan, lack of professional staff and urban mgmt coalition to oversee plan. City has made poor deals w/large projects in the planning and financial sense. Dan Udall closing Main Street to automobiles from 4th South to South Email Temple Scott Shurian lives Downtown on Broadway. He is semi-retired from Email broadcasting and marketing. Here are his suggestions: 1. PUBLICITY 2. invite radio stations to broadcast from Gallivan, etc. 3. EMPTY STOREFRONTS: create something like a farmer's market giving outlying merchants an opportunity to use the space SYLVIA & TED free rides for TRAX Email KELLOGG 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 2 of 6 • Constituent Comments Regarding Downtown Revitalization DATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT Mark Brinckerhoff Writes of many issues on where/why people shop. Gives Email options on what should be done about downtown/main street. 19-Apr Pauline Pace Called in on Comment line. She had lived in American Phone Towers for 17 years and has notice more and more empty buildings. Quit allowing more new construction (Gateway) and fill the vacant buildings. Mrs. Paul Corburn Called in on Comment line. Feels that if we allowed more Phone free parking in the streets we might have more people come to down. Women do not like using the parking garage. W. G. Sterns He feels TRAX was put in the wrong location going down Email main street and losing the parade route has drastically altered the character of downtown. Efforts need to be made to draw family groups in the area. Eric Heryford Mr. Eric Heryford of Weaverville, CA writes about his Email frustration on receiving a $10.00 parking ticket while shopping and spending his time and money in downtown. 23-Apr David B. Winder Need sound business strategies and long-range planning Email for Main Street, not quick decisions addressing problems as • they arise. Main Street below 200 So. Needs work, especially the west side between 200-300 South, and the entire block bet. 400-500 South. Use the advice of consultants who have revitalization experience. 23-Apr Neil Olsen (APA Assess what type of downtown is necessary. Who goes Letter member) downtown and for what purpose? What activities or facilities would attract people who live and/or work in the outlying communities to come back downtown at night or on the weekend? We need to understand the demographics of various groups and create marketing strategies to attract them to different retail, commercial, financial, recreational, residential or institutional facilities. Plan intelligently and pursue prudent economic development policy for the future of downtown and Main Street. 15-Apr Victor Kimball Earl Holding could build a large parking garage on 400 Letter South and Main to accommodate U of Utah students and shoppers who could ride TRAX to get back and forth. An anchor shop needs to be placed at the southwest corner of Main Street and Fourth South. 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 3 of 6 Constituent Comments • Regarding Downtown Revitalization DATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT .-Apr Blake Nordstrom Appreciates the Council's concerns and willingness to Letter continue the dialogue regarding Nordstrom's location. They have not reached a decision yet re: contract at Crossroad Mall. 24-Apr Brenda Is upset that all you hear about in the news and newpaper Phone is negative. Please speak of all the stores still OPEN in the malls. Look for inviting and postive reporting. We need a new environmen in the mall Visa/Samsaug has overtaken the look time for a new look. Take down the teepees that are sill up on main street! Alice Ann Case Would like to see the Mayor put the live music inside a Phone building instead of in the streets. It is not fair to the residents of American Towers to have to listen to the loud music that only a few citizens listen to. She belives it is a wonderful venue but please promote it to an indoor location. 25-Apr Mr. Ted Speros Mr. Speros writes for more parking very important to bring Phone in customers. The Chamber of Commerce needs to support downtown more. 25-Apr Dee Holliday Close off Main street make it into an outdoor mall with more Phone community greens. • Apr Patrick de Freitas allow nonprofit organizations to rent at below-market rates. Email 25-Apr Michael Maloy "shopping" and "pedestrian activity" in urban downtown Email environments is still feasible and very desirable 25-Apr Mark Bertelson The current emphasis on office space is not in the interests Email of the city. We already have too much unused office space and are adding more The city is also losing its beauty as zoning ordinances are being circumvented to accommodate every desire of the developers 25-Apr Ella Knight 1. "to rejuvenate our Main Street our City must offer Email businesses an incentive to set up shop on this street. Those incentives need to be immediate and financial. Promises that something better will come will not encourage change and growth. Encouragement needs to be fostered with specific plans and directed money." 2. "demand that Mr. Richard Howa clean up his Main Street properties." 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 4 of 6 • Constituent Comments Regarding Downtown Revitalization DATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT ,-Apr Alice Larkin Steiner 1. "your vision of what Main Street should be is not Email supported by the market..." "some property owners do not even attempt to get tenants while they wait for the office market to provide a profitable opening... These folks should be approached personally and directly with all political efforts" 2. "determine the problems [the Council] is trying to solve and then develop programs that address each problem." 3. "You must decide what should happen first and what is most important. I suggest that building the economic base" 4. "the City must work with the private property owners... Address their problems... It is through the property owners that long-term investments on private property will be made. 5. "Identify... what the problems with the public infrastructure are, develop an investment plan and year-by- year fix the problems." 6. "the City should present a united front on what its priorities and political motivations may be. In a politically charged environment, the property owners' desire to not create political enemies will kill many, many projects" 7. "The RDA should provide the funding and be the catalyst • "Salt I aka rift/ hac a nraat rdnvontnInin If %mill nrnw and rhann -Apr Robert Glessner 1. create a task force, review past studies Email 2. financial emphasis 3. programming/entertainment essential 4. housing 5. parking 6. encourage property owners to donate or discount ground floor space 7. visual aesthetics 25-Apr Garr Campbell landscape architect by trade: Email "there must be a very strong mix of uses that will attract a lot of people. Two important components of every successful city that I have lived in seem to be solid mixed income housing stock and solid venerable institutions." 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 5 of 6 Constituent Comments Regarding Downtown Revitalization DATE NAME COMMENTS CONTACT I5-Apr Fairpark Community, Gerald Curtis sends compiled comments from the Fairpark Email Gerald Curtis community: Jilene Whitby, Fairpark Community Council Chair: consider the success of such revitalized streets as: When considering the reviatlization of Main Street I have thought of the success of such revitalized streets as: Moab's main street Park City's main street Old Town in Palo Alto, California Old Town in Colorado Springs, Colorado All seem to have the following that attracted locals and visitors: 1. Have small unique speciality shops ie: antique shops, craft shops selling goods of locals like crafts, hand loom • items, art galleries. 2. Include small unique restaurants perhaps with a few tables outside, ice cream parlors, pretzel makers, fudge shop, the kind of places that will attract families, dating couples and tourists. 3. Set a casual, slow-paced atmosphere and theme with the facades of the shops and benches in front of some of the shops where people can sit and watch people as they • eat their ice cream or other such food. Perhaps planter boxes could be put in front of some of the shops that the shop owners could take care of. 4. Parking along the street should be free. No meters. Advertise parking at the two main malls and that all of the shops will validate the parking. Advertise free fair zone From Jon Robinson: Parking is a drag. That's the main reason my wife and I don't go downtown but prefer to shop at Gateway. From Clair Ellis: My wife and I used to go shopping downtown all the time but with Trax construction and the Olypmics we just got out of the habit From Arilyn Jensen: It would be a mistake to let Nordstroms go. If Nordstroms goes the whole thing goes. From Ted Lewis: The alcohol routine does not encourage families. Capitalize on Trax. Make it free. Do a demographic study. Find out what kind of people you want to attract. People are attracted to something new, to bargains. From Jerry Curtis: Offer a temporary tax incentive to new store owners as an incentive to open up a business • downtown. The tax should only be temporary in order not to be discriminatory but attractive enough to stimulate interest. 4/25/2002 5:14 PM 6 of 6 • Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Activities/Entertainment *The City does not need to be solely responsible for funding a public event series. Public/private sector partnerships are a standard industry approach. Consider a collaborative effort including partial funding from the City and private sponsorship to generate revenues and manage operations. 5 *Activities seem to be presented with a haphazard approach; better to have no activities than to disappoint audiences. This may jeopardize future efforts. *Consider hosting a series of events to building audience interest such as children's art and entertainment, or programs focused on teen interest. *Consider asking the Downtown Alliance to market and promote existing downtown events. *Consider developing program for temporary, month-to-month uses of vacant space by paying property owners for their out-of-pocket expenses, and recruiting high quality uses of the space by art organizations, and other business uses. *The Main Street "party place" that the Mayor envisions is better suited for Gateway and future projects developed around the Gateway area. Main Street should focus on family-oriented entertainment. Advertising/publicity *Work with radio and TV stations to promote weekend activities, concerts and events. Do remote broadcasts from Gallivan Ctr. *Implement campaign to advertise parking availability. *Provide a centralized point of information on available space, financing programs, and tenant outreach. 4 Economic Developmt. and Growth *Identify and quantify the real problem: Is it the number of store vacancies or office vacancies on Main St., economic health of the downtown, are the malls suffering, have sales been decreasing for stores & restaurants located outside the malls? 32 *Use the Thomas Consultants study suggestions to focus on tourists, those who come downtown because of its uniqueness, and those who work downtown. Focus on second portion of study, specifically addressing leasing implementation, development opportunities at key locations, and sharpening incentive programs. *** BOLDED TEXT INDICATES THOSE COMMENTS ADDED ON THURSDAY 4/25/02. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE *Think long-term by focusing on economic growth in the downtown core, continuing the infusion of capital in the office, residential, cultural, and transportation infrastructure, in order to remain economically competitive, and increasing the Economic Developmt. density in the downtown, providing more entrepreneurial and social opportunities, and Growth (cont'd) and generating the street life desired. *Give up short term gain for lasting steadfastness by offering tax credits, low interest loans, low lease rates and other incentives to attract long-term tenants. *Assess economic vitality of the downtown: are the malls helping/hurting or not affecting sales/retail compared to the store front retail? *To offset lost revenues to city tax base, enact higher taxes on storefronts & buildings that have been vacant for more than 12 months. *Prohibit demolition of existing buildings without a building permit for a new project, and proof of funds to carry out new construction. *To encourage renovation of historic bldgs., eliminate or downgrade building code requirements for seismic requirements for older buildings. *Need organized and structured plan for revitalization implementation. Specific efforts need to be made to draw family groups into the area on weekends. Activities should be created to encourage groups to utilize restaurants, shops, theaters and mall stores. *The City needs a more recent R/UDAT study to provide updated information. *Need sound business strategies and long-range planning for Main Street, not quick decisions addressing problems as they arise. Main Street below 200 So. needs work, especially the west side between 200-300 South, and the entire block bet. 400-500 South. Use the advice of consultants who have revitalization experience. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Economic Developmt. and Growth (cont'd) *Assess what type of downtown is necessary. Who goes downtown and for what purpose? What activities or facilities would attract people who live and/or work in the outlying communities to come back downtown at night or on the weekend? We need to understand the demographics of various groups and create marketing strategies to attract them to different retail, commercial, financial, recreational, residential or institutional facilities. Plan intelligently and pursue prudent economic development policy for the future of downtown and Main Street. *Build upon existing strengths such as existing retail, TRAX, Gallivan Center. *Do not allow boarding of buildings. *Encourage more jobs to be located in the downtown core, as well as residential units, to create more potential customers, pedestrian traffic, and street life. *Establish a framework and process for planning and implementation that all those with a stake and a responsibility are involved, informed, respected, and empowered. *Link Gateway with downtown; created pedestrian-friendly corridors to connect the two, and encourage both as co-destinations for shoppers, tourists and event-goers. *There is no shared vision. Leadership on downtown issues is fragmented. Each entity has its own charter and agenda. There is little coordination. There is a need for a unifying voice. *Many ideas and initiatives lack input or participation from downtown stakeholders, property owners, businesses, arts and entertainment groups, whose prosperity depends on decisions made about downtown. *In the past 15 years, SLC has lost approximately 20 percent of sales tax revenue to the suburbs. *Define vision. Need consistency. Expand and enhance walkable areas. Create centers and 'visit-ability' around hotels. The area surrounding the Marriott is perceived to be unsafe. Grand America has nothing to the east/north/south to attract visitors. Downtown Revitalization POLICY 1 ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Economic Developmt. *The purchase of Main Street by the L.D.S. Church blocked the central area of and Growth (cont'd) downtown's main business/commercial thoroughfare, and severely damaged the economic health and vitality of downtown and Main Street. *We need a new environment in the mall. Visa/Samsung has overtaken over. We need a new look. Take down the teepees that are sill up on main street! *Identify target audience; look to other cities for experience, then advertise your decision. *Allow non-profit organization to rent the empty shops and offices along Main Street at below-market rates. Non-Profits benefit by proximity to each other and the others facilities of downtown Salt Lake; however, landowners may be reluctant to commit to this option for any length of time. The City should be responsible for the difference between what nonprofits can pay and what the market demands. *Offer small businesses some financial incentives to set up shop on Main Street. Require large property owners to maintain their properties downtown even when they are vacant. *Look at other areas that have been successfully revitalized: Moab's Main Street, Park City's Main Street, Old Town in Palo Alto, CA, and Old Town in Colorado Springs, CO. They share these common themes: small unique specialty shops not found in malls/shopping centers, such as antique shops, craft shops selling goods of local artisans. Small unique restaurants with outsize seating, including ice cream parlors, pretzel makers, fudge shops. Need a casual, slow-paced atmosphere with theme shops where they can sit and talk and watch others. *The alcohol routine does not encourage families. *There must be a very strong mix of uses that will attract a lot of people. 2 important components of every successful city that I have lived in seem to be solid mixed income housing stock and solid venerable institutions. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Economic Developmt. and Growth (cont'd) *Your vision of what Main St. should be is not supported by the market. The majority of the existing tenants are not retail businesses. The malls are your retail anchor. If you decide retail is the only option, you need to find a way to provide low-cost, short-term parking for retail/restaurant tenants. *Some property owners are waiting for more profitable opportunities. They should be approached and convinced that they should adopt more responsible holding strategies. *You should determine the problems you are trying to solve and then develop programs to address each one. The City has a limited budget and a limited number of options on how to intervene in the market place. Aim for long-term results. Determine what should happen first and what is most important. Consider building the economic base (more office, housing, and hotels). *Identify what aspects of the public infrastructure need to be revised, upgraded or replaced. Additional water and sewer capacity may be needed to encourage housing and hotels. Some areas are lacking curb and gutter. Publicly provided or publicly managed parking may be needed to support nightlife and retail. *Do the City's job well: maintain infrastructure, sweep and clean streets, plant flowers, keep lights lit. Use RDA to do big projects such as buying and selling property or funding a major public investment. *The Chamber of Commerce needs to be more supportive of the downton merchants. *Need more greenery downtown. Housing *Encourage new housing developments downtown with creative housing designs and marketing strategies. *Need more residential neighborhoods downtown. *Look at demographic shifts: Notice the growth of the student population. Notice that Baby Boomers are becoming empty nesters. Downtown housing is essential. 5 Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Malls/Retail *Nordstrom needs to stay in Crossroads Mall. Illustrate commitment to Nordstrom by revitalizing the downtown area. 21 *Let Nordstrom leave if they want. Two malls are too many downtown and don't encourage foot traffic. If one mall closes, the real estate could be well-used otherwise. *Entice shops onto Main Street and out of malls. *Close one of the malls and convert to office space. *Malls need a facelift. Encourage renovation by allowing tax credits. *Has the City truly received a greater tax benefit by having 2 malls? Is the City truly concerned about nostalgia for the old Main Street when, in reality, the economic and retail activity may now be much greater now than it was before the malls? *If Nordstrom leaves, Crossroads will find another tenant. The malls seem to be in competition with one another, and with Main Street retailers. If one mall closes, other uses will be found for the property. *If Nordstrom were given incentives and supported by the City to move, they should be placed as a single tenant on the Main St. block with the additional parking, rather then moving them elsewhere. *Downtown mall sales have fallen 30% since 1996, while suburban mall sales have grown. Freeway closure, Main Street construction and loss of some downtown events to Southtown Expo Center have changed travel and shopping habits dramatically. *As store turnover has taken place downtown, there has been a trend toward lower- end stores. *Meier and Frank's continual need to downsize the space that was once used by ZCMI suggests that new retailers have and will struggle in the old mall format. Trying to resuscitate the malls in their present configuration is a waste of time and money. *While the rest of the local market on Main Street will continue to decline over time, the tourist market will continue to grow; yet neither the malls nor other retail shops are really marketing to tourists. They are looking for a unique and special shopping experience during their vacations. This is not being offered in any form along Main Street. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Malls/Retail (cont'd) *Fill store vacancies downtown -- not in Gateway. *The best place for an anchor store/retailer is the southwest corner of Main Street and Fourth South with sufficient parking to accommodate and relieve parking needs of the University of Utah and shoppers. Shops could be located on the main floor of the garage facing Main St. and 400 South. *Main Street should be "double-loaded" with retail type activity on both sides of the street. The City should also reduce or eliminate retail competition from government owned developments, like the proposed retail pad on Gallivan Plaza, until the core is filled. *Retail uses for Main Street should include predominantly restaurants, clubs and entertainment facilities. *The old style of malls, closed off from the street, is falling out of favor. Can our old downtown malls attract top tenants and shoppers? *Most tourists are coming to visit Temple Square. Many are LDS Church members visiting from around the world. As the church population grows, so will the tourist population. Today, more than 5 million tourists visit Temple Square annually. These tourists are the future market of Main Street, and they are being ignored. Marketing should focus on lifestyle retail that is unique to Utah and attractive to the tourists. _ *Events don't bring people downtown to shop. There has to be a reason for them to shop downtown. Developers and property owners have to bring n the right store mix to attract shoppers. *Malls should cut retail space by at least half. With the added space, the malls should be reformatted for some housing and office space. *After reviewing the latest proposal from Crossroads Mall owners, Nordstrom has decided not to renew the lease when it expires in 2005, as the new proposal does not adequately address the mall's parking, vacancy rate and tenant mix. *The downtown area is th right place for Nordstrom and other department stores. Gateway is better suited f r theaters and entertainm nt. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Malls/Retail (cont'd) *People are attracted to something new, to bargains. Noise Ordinance *For downtown residents, noise must be limited in frequency, ending time and Enforcement decibel level. *Windows rattle, must use ear plugs to sleep. Ordinance must be enforced. 4 Outdoor Cafes / Restaurants *Outdoor cafes and restaurants help create a warm, inviting and lively atmosphere. *Allow sidewalk cafes to infringe onto sidewalks. 10 Parking *If the goal is to bring people downtown, parking must be convenient and adequate. 18 *A large parking garage on the southwest corner of 400 South and Main would benefit many. *Create integrated parking plan; coordinate the use of all parking lots with consistent pricing and parking validations. *Promote city center businesses and reward downtown retail, restaurant or business customers by providing them with transportation tokens (after they make a minimum purchase) which can be redeemed for free or discounted parking, free transit fares, or used in downtown parking meters. *Meters discourage downtown business and tourism. Parking should be free. *Create a focal point for short-term parking, day and night, in the midpoint of the south end of Main Street, between 100 South and 500 South which is convenient and easy to use. *The City or RDA could consider leasing or controlling some parking for short-term uses that would be inexpensive and convenient. *Parking should be free along the street. No meters. Need validated parking. Advertise free fair zones. *Parking is the main reason my wife and I don't go downtown; I prefer to shop at Gateway. *We need to have the parking metes back downtown and allow parking. We would have many more customers come into downtown if they could just park for 10-15 minutes, run in and g t what they ne d. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Store Fronts *Revise City guidelines for street level facades to include landscaping and art. *Create downtown farmer's market on weekends working with business owners/merchants. *Externalize facades and frontages where possible. *Incorporate high quality kiosks and carts to fill void of space and stimulate activity. *Consider the possibility of an arts and craft market and/or Farmer's Market as a way of adding life to the street and incubating new businesses. *There is not enough store frontage display space. *If the problem is storefront vacancies along Main Street, the City needs to take a complete inventory. *Which properties are for rent, and which are being held off the market by their owners? If owners are unwilling to rent, the City should not be concerned about these cases. It is the owner's problem. *Look at each storefront on Main St. to see what types of retail can be sustained in light of the market. 8 Transportation *Provide TRAX free for downtown shoppers on Main St. on specific nights and weekends during the year. 6 *TRAX was put in the wrong location. It should have been placed further west. Walkable Community *Make Main Street a Gateway-type pedestrian zone with significant 2-floor walk-in retail space. This would cause traffic tension on east/west streets but could be remedied by creating underground cross streets similar to the one west of the Salt Palace. 15 *Close Main Street to auto traffic from So. Temple to 400 So.; this will provide a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. *Turn Main Street into a pedestrian mall from 200 So. to South Temple with only east/west thoroughfares left in place. *Curb downtown construction, repaving, etc. Downtown travel is greatly hindered. *Some shoppers may be intimidated by individuals who ask for money and stand near store entrances. *Consider installing permanent, clear awnings over the pedestrian portion of the downtown. Downtown Revitalization POLICY ISSUES FREQUENCY CATEGORY RAISED OF RESPONSE Walkable Community (cont'd) *Consider the pros and cons of closing Main Street. *Install time lapse signals for all crosswalks to make streets more friendly for pedestrians. *Attract unique anchors, such as museums and other attractions to generate greater daytime and evening pedestrian traffic. *Begin a public art and monument program to establish a series of staging areas that entice visitors to explore the street. Local and state art organizations could be encouraged to undertake this effort. Utilize sidewalk space as an outdoor gallery. *Permeability is a problem. The city layout is not pedestrian or shopper-friendly. A concentration of activities would help. *Because of TRAX construction and the Olympics, we've gotten out of the habit of going downtown.