Salt Lake City mayor Jackie Biskupski announced in December that a 150-bed homeless shelter will be built near Sugar House’s Fairmont Park. Biskupski and Salt Lake City Council made the decision without public involvement. Biskupski says it's “Not up for debate. The decision of the location is final”. Three other shelters were announced—also to be built in suburban areas. Salt … [Read more...]
Under the Spotlight: SLC Police Staffing
Hardly a day goes by without a news report about police officers somewhere in the country. Stories about officers being injured or killed, police misconduct, and protests over police actions, comprise most of the stories reported. With so much negative publicity, how do police departments remain staffed and recruit new officers? One local police agency, the Salt Lake City … [Read more...]
Refurbished Signage Keeps Sugar House History Alive
With all the changes in the Sugar House landscape, it is comforting to see little reminders scattered throughout the area of days gone by. The “Sputnik” sign topper that sat atop the old Granite Furniture Store sign has recently been restored and remounted thanks to Steve White of Young Electric Sign Company. Steve explains that it is actually called a roto-sphere. The … [Read more...]
Is Sugar House Sacrificing Character for Profit?
In the past eight months, Sugar House has lost some buildings and businesses that were gems, including the former Sugar House Furniture, Square Nest, and Fats Bar buildings, which were demolished, producing a reincarnated form of the “Sugar Hole.” When this void will be filled is anyone’s guess, because developer Craig Mecham will not answer our repeated phone calls. Soon, … [Read more...]
Sugar House: Aesthetics Over Parking?
If you have visited the Sugar House area lately, especially any address along 2100 South, you may have found that parking is a bit of headache. With all the new businesses, restaurants and developments moving in, Sugar House is bustling with activity. Needing to replace the irrigation system along Highland Drive and 2100 South, the Salt Lake City Engineering Department … [Read more...]
Local Holiday Shopping Guide
Shop local this holiday season. This booklet will give you an idea where to go to buy holiday gifts depending on location. It also features some great local artisans that produce world class products from beer, coffee, cookies to soaps and skin products. … [Read more...]
Sugar House S-Line — A cool bike path with a train to nowhere
On the new Sugar House S-Line, you can play the guitar, read palms and give Bible lessons while riding the trains, but you are not allowed to take photographs on the train or of the trains, according to an S-Line conductor. She said, “Watch out for the UTA police.” The S-Line runs about 15-20 MPH, and while the concept is still a new one for residents, it hasn’t yet met … [Read more...]
The Legend of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth
Charley Hafen met the celebrated artist Ed “Big Daddy” Roth in 1996 when Roth was hawking his signed silkscreened drawings at a car show. “I thought, ‘Whoa! That’s Ed Roth!’ when I saw him,” recalls the Salt Lake City jeweler. Hafen owns Charley Hafen Custom Jewelers and has known of the Big Daddy and his artwork since he was a boy. Like Roth, Hafen’s specialty is custom … [Read more...]
SLC Trimming Tons for 2014
If your New Year’s resolution is to lose some weight, you’re in good company. Salt Lake City has its own weight reduction—or rather, waste reduction—goal for 2014, which is deleting 11,000 tons of recyclable waste from going to the landfill. By 2015, the city’s Zero Waste Resolution aims to increase residential recycling from the current rate of 38 percent to 50 … [Read more...]
Welcome Aboard the New Sugar House S-Line
There are lots of surprises in Sugar House this holiday season. UTA is rolling out its first modern streetcar line. The Sugar House Merchants Association has grown into a Chamber of Commerce, and Santa Claus has a grand new house. On December 7, passengers will board the silver S-Line streetcar at seven stops between 200 West in South Salt Lake and McClelland Street in Sugar … [Read more...]