Rethinking Neighborhood Design

Christopher Hupp, Christopher Thompson, Jared Syversen, and Sydney Rich

The Heart of Downtown

(200 N to 300 S; West Temple to State St.)

Temple SquareConvention CenterCity CreekGallivan CenterCity Center StationCapitol TheaterWalker Building

Energy Use of BuildingsLeed Buildings and Green DesignTraffic Signals and StreetlightsHeat IslandShadeSolarHeating/CoolingBuilding MaterialsScore 5/10 on energy use due to lack of

alternative energy sources and lack of heating/cooling heat island mitigation

Transportation Options

BikeBus

Car

TRAX

Walking

Proposed IdeasClose Main for Car traffic

Add tree cover for shade and protection for pedestrians

Change one lane on State St to be a protected bike lane

Score 8.5/10 (shade & protections)

Score 7.0 out of 10 (needs better bike lanes including pedestrian only routes near main street.)

Physical Activity

Transportation Cost(TRAX, Buses, Bicycles, Close Walkable routes)

No protected bike lanes and very few sidewalks with added protection. Coupled with over dependence and emphasis on cars quantifying

congestion.

Score 6.5 out of 10 Main street needs pedestrian only access in areas close to temple. Protected Bike Lanes throughout.

Affordable Living

Median Rent Price = $1350.00 monthly (1 bedroom apartment) approx $100.00 higher than surrounding area.*

Very Expensive Housing

Regent: One Bedroom Condo = $541,000 (starting price)

99 West: Two Bedroom Condo = $716,000 (starting price)

Zions Summit 241 North Vine start at 280,900 for Condominiums

Only for the Affluent and Privileged

Score 4.0 out of 10, area is very segregated and home ownership is for the wealthiest individuals.

Convenience of LivingACCESSIBILITY TO:

Schools Fairly close (within biking distance)

Medical facilities Fairly close (within biking distance)

Job opportunities Extremely close (within walking distance)

Shopping centers Extremely close (within walking distance)

Recreational opportunities Fairly close (most things within biking distance)

Places of worship Extremely close (within walking distance)Score: 9 out of 10

Accessible Recreational OpportunitiesWhat we have:

City Creek Canyon

Theaters

Gallivan Center

City parks

Great Salt Lake

Historical buildings

City Creek Shopping Center

Fine dining Score: 8 out of 10

Needs:

● Better access to canyons

● Better access to water features

● Better low-income food opportunities

Strategies for improving recreational opportunities:

● Direct bus routes to canyons

● More open spaces● Roof top

recreational opportunities

● Streetside food vendors

● Outdoor Markets

Neighborliness

Not Working:● Salt Lake City as a host

● Salt Lake City as an urban area

● Spacing of residential housing as well as lacking inter-building communities

● Gathering places successful? (Gallivan plaza)

● Sidewalk vary in ability to create neighborhood like atmosphere

Solutions:● Apparentness of

Residential buildings and connectedness between them

● Restaurants and stores should recognize locals and regulars somehow

● More attention to functionality of gathering spaces and building plazas

● Sidewalk infrastructure modeled after main street for entirety of the area. (Goal is comfort)

Score:

Working:● Salt Lake City as a host

for visitors from Temple Square and the Salt Palace

● Store-fronts and outdoor seating

● Frequently busy

● Generally friendly public

Score: 6 out of 10

Working:

Appealing new development (City Creek Mall) as well as Beautiful old architecture

Well maintained roads, sidewalks, vegetation, etc.

Bustling gathering areas including parks and areas of commerce.

Beauty in Downtown SLC

Not Working:

● Vacant buildings and unused areas

● Large parking lots and garages

● Lack of accessible facilities leading to misuse of public areas

● Extensive construction

Score: 7 out of 10

BeautyStrategies for Improvement Vacant Buildings

and Lots:

Changing all unoccupied buildings and lots in the area to functional, restored, multi-use sites.

More extreme fees on vacant property owners.

Facilities and Infrastructure for

Transient Population:

● Public bathrooms and showers

● Increase in city provided housing (more effective programs for housing)

● Educations and skills training options

● Job programs

● Receptacles for biohazardous materials

Etc.:

● Upkeep of historical/old buildings

● Reduction of required parking for new structures

● Use of sidewalk “adornments” (flower pots, vegetation, seating, human-scale lighting, bike racks, GreenBike stations)

● Protected bike lane incorporation

● Construction project/sq mi limitation. (project duration limitation also)

ConclusionScoring

Energy use of buildings: 5

Transportation options: 8.5

Physical activity: 7

Affordable Living: 4

Convenience of living: 9

Recreational opportunities: 8

Neighborliness: 6

Beauty: 7

Overall Score

6.8