We find ourselves in the best of times and the worst of times in Utah. Droves of people are moving here and want to experience the same quality of life we have enjoyed here for decades: mountain access, diverse ecosystems still intact, and peace and tranquility with many access points to direct connections with nature. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible. For every measure … [Read more...]
Six Legal Questions Concerning Salt Lake City’s Inland Port
Salt Lake’s contentious inland port will undoubtedly impact the quality of life for City residents, especially those who live at the lower elevations along the Wasatch Front. It will add hundreds if not thousands of additional semi trucks to our roads, hundreds of additional jumbo cargo airplanes to our airways; and massive amounts of pollution to our air—which has … [Read more...]
Farms vs. Suburbia: Does Population Growth Mean the End of Family Farms?
The Wasatch Front has been growing out rather than up for years. Sprawl is now threatening Utah’s most successful family farms. Over eighty percent of Utah residents say they want more farms, open space, and locally produced food, but it appears that city, state and local leaders haven’t received the memo. As with most things political, it’s all about the money. Thayne … [Read more...]
Biking West Valley — The difficulty of cycling the suburbs
West Valley is Utah's second largest city, there is a home building boom. But it's becoming congested and full of cars. Much of the expansion of Wasatch front is occurring in the suburbs in single-family homes, but they are adding bike lanes and bike paths. So how is it to bike to get around? See what I found out. https://youtu.be/V3hWWMQrg7o … [Read more...]
Babs In the City
Utah’s economy is hot hot hot, and vacancy rates for apartments, office and retail space are as rare as the steak tartare at the Paris Bistro. Here’s the news, take it as good or bad, happy or sad, about what’s happening in our city. After all, closures encourage new beginnings, right? The gourmet hot dog shop next to Juniors Tavern will soon be a Greek souvlaki joint. After … [Read more...]
A History of Violence: Ogden’s 25th Street
Ogden’s reputation is colored by who you ask. Outside of Utah, Ogden has a great reputation and the city continues to grow its visitor base and business recruits. It has received notable national press, especially over the last two years. Ogden has been designated by Forbes Magazine as one of the best places to raise a family, and one of the best places for business and … [Read more...]
Megaplex Theater to Open at Long-Vacant Former Cottonwood Mall Development
Residents of Holladay no longer have to look at a vacant lot that was once home to the first indoor shopping mall in Utah. Since the Cottonwood Mall's demolition in 2008, the area has been stuck in "development hell." Recently, The Howard Hughes Corporation, an entity of General Growth Properties, has finally announced that Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres has signed on as … [Read more...]
Ogden LDS Temple Open House Starts Aug. 1
From August 1st through September 6th, Downtown Ogden will welcome nearly half a million visitors for the Ogden LDS Temple Open House. Given the number of visitors and money spent, this will be one of the largest events in Ogden’s history. The temple is one of the largest private re-development investments in the state, just a bit smaller than the City Creek complex in Salt … [Read more...]
Mulligan’s Golf Course Faces Possible Closure
Salt Lake Valley’s rapid expansion over the last decade has left little room for nature preserves. Another part of the remaining “green space” may soon become part of the concrete jungle. Mulligans Golf and Games is roughly 67 acres of open space that surrounds the Jordan River just off 10600 South in South Jordan. Purchased over 20 years ago from a private owner, the city … [Read more...]
Sugar House Gardeners Seek Room to Grow
With the disappearance of the Sugar House Community Garden at 9th East, residents are asking if and where another garden might be started, and whether it will be ready for this growing season. The garden that began as an experiment on the abandoned tennis courts at Fairmont Park was dismantled last month. In expectation of redevelopment around the new Sugar House streetcar … [Read more...]