Mecham & Redrock grilled by Commissioners & Residents
(opinion) September 27th, 2007

Sugar House Developer Craig Mecham and Redrock Developments refute objections from residents and Salt Lake City Planning Commission.

	Watch Interview Craig Mecham is redeveloping the Sugar House Granite Block. Thursday night he presented his conceptual drawings to the planning commision at the Salt Lake City and County building.

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Sugar House developer and long-time resident Craig Mecham wants to invest nearly $100 million dollars in Sugar House. Mecham's plans have addressed naysayers objections yet still the opposition was in full-force Thursday night before the Salt Lake City Planning Commission.

The first truly complete "walkable community" was proposed before the Salt Lake City Planning Commission last night and for two hours one commissioner kept asking the most silly questions "How high will the ceilings be in the apartments you propose?" Commissioners even entertained the idea that the stream currently running underneath the development be somehow put above ground with a trail beside it. Nice idea, totally unrealistic. This river currently goes underneath Rockwood Gallery.

Another vehement voice of opposition was from a woman who serves on the Sugar House Community Council. Her objection was to the beautiful obelisk statue "being cast in shadow" by the large building Mecham is proposing. The Councilwoman said that the plans fail to reveal the "canyon-like nature of the project after it is completed."

To the distinguished Councilwoman I say-- widen your vision a little and try visiting Europe some day. Europeans build their communities more walkable by having some "canyons" in neighborhoods. I resided in a ten story high-rise condo in very small Dacheau, Germany. The neighborhood I live in for nearly a month contained several beautiful 10 story residential buildings offering retail on the ground floor full of bakeries, barber shops and convenience stores. These mixed-use tall structures enliven neighborhoods because cars become unnesisary for most trips.

My original fear when I heard about the Granite Block redevelopment was that it would be a repeat of Gateway or the Sugar House Commons. Just another stucco-clad monstrosity like the rebuilding of the old Redman Movies building. Neither project is architecturally interesting or pedestrian oriented.

I also believed that this story was was going to be a deja-vu of the disastrous decision 30-years-ago when planners determined to build malls in downtown, "sucking all the culture and life off of the street." (see story) as historian Alan Barnett describes the practice, common to many mall developments.

Its clear, however, that the building Mecham is proposing will be intersting and indeed unique. Mecham isn't sacrificing quality like so many other developers do in cutting corners by not recessing windows, by forgetting basic aesthetic design principles. Mecham's design includes art-deco elements and a structure completely made from brick. The design will retain the same walkable nature it already has but to an even greater extent. The plans include space for several sidewalk cafes.

As much as I dislike the architecture and quality of Gateway, what they have achieved in their sidewalks cafes is great. Sugar House will have a similar ambiance, however with more local restaurants. After phase two is completed the street intersecting the block (across from the Sprague Library) will be pedestrian only. I can imagine walking there and seeing a street full of diners outside on a summer day sipping iced latte from Sugar House Coffee.

The main outstanding concern I share with many who where present at the meeting, is over the parking, which appears to be too accommodating. I also don't like the idea of there being access to parking from roughly the west-side of where Blue Boutique is now. I don't think parking access should be via 2100 South. This street is already a parking lot during rush hour. More available parking in necessary, however if the plans limit parking access and availability to the west and Wilmington, keeping it somewhat inconvenient, people will choose to walk and ride Trax rather than drive. The central concept is walkable, meaning more accommodating to walkers than drivers.

I also agree with another citizen that it would be great if the art culture of Sugar House in enhansed by offering a few studio apartments without available parking. This could accommodate people who truly will work and live in the same space.

One commissioner very astutely pointed out that UTA "needs to get on the ball and start working with the developers to create a transit hub in Sugar House." This is critical to the success of the project.

Other comments everyone seemed enthusiastic to hear was from long-time Sugar House patron, Joy Bossi (of Joy in the Garden notoriety). She spoke about her excitement over the project because it is a place she envisions herself living at where she wouldn't need to rely on a car.

Rebuilding developments to accommodate a vehicle dependent-free lifestyle for seniors and others was the most relevant point offered. As the baby boomer population ages, truly walkable communities need to be built to accommodate them; otherwise we need all fear for our lives as our freeways become saturated with seniors with their perpetual blinking turn signals going 40 mph in the fast lanes. In Utah Stories opinion, Mecham should be granted quick approval to make this project a stellar example for how walkable communities can alter and improve lifestyle. Give Mecham and Redrock their pass so Sugar House can be rebuilt quickly and right.