Salt Lake City Granary District Transit Oriented, Mixed Use Development
Introduction Matt Dahl, Project Manager Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City The mission of the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City is to improve blighted areas of Salt Lake City, encourage economic development of Salt Lake City and encourage compliance with and implementation of the Salt Lake City master plan. The Agency will participate with Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, the State of Utah and other public entities, as appropriate, in implementing its mission.
The Layout History Key Issues and Information Objectives
Granary District The Granary District is located on the southern end of the Salt Lake City s Gateway District. The Granary District is generally bound by 600 South, 300 West, the 900 South I-15 I Off Ramp and I-15. I The Gateway District is comprise of 99 acres.
History Late 1800 s: The arrival of the railroad changed the nature of the Gateway District from residential to a melting pot of land uses ranging from single family homes to heavy industry. 1960 s: The construction of I-15 I further isolated the Granary District through the creation of a no-man s s land occupied by railroad tracks, freeway ramps, overpasses and heavy industrial uses.
History 1960 s 1990 s: The impact of the railroad and I-15 I lead to the deterioration of much of the area, but allowed industrial and warehousing/distribution businesses to flourish as a result of the low land cost and proximity to downtown. 1998: The adoption of the Gateway District Master Plan laid out goals for the Granary District that emphasized land uses which complemented and supported Salt Lake City s Central Business District.
History 1999: The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City created the Granary District Project Area to implement the Gateway Master Plan and eliminate blight.
Environmental Issues: History of industrial and railroad uses. Land near railroad tracks has a tendency to contain PAH s in shallow soils. Scrap metal yards and metal fabrication facilities tend to have heavy metals present in the top layer of soil covering the sites. The entire Gateway District has background levels of natural arsenic. It is estimated that 10% of the parcels have been identified as having or potentially having environmental concerns.
Street Issues: Streets are generally in pour condition. Due to I-15 I and its off ramps 400 West, 500 West and 700 South dead end within the project area. 400 West is pivotal to the development of the area, but it is in the worst condition.
Rail Spurs and Irregular Parcels 400 West rail spur is no longer in use, but the right-of of-way may be used by UTA in the future. The 400 West rail spur has two branches that begin on 900 South. The path of the branches creates irregular parcels that may not be developable on their own.
TRAX Issues The close proximity of the 900 South TRAX station creates opportunities for transit oriented development within the Granary District. The draft Downtown Transportation Master Plan for Salt Lake City calls for TRAX to expand its rail line along 400 West and 700 South. This eventuality needs to be considered as the blocks adjacent to the new TRAX line is developed.
Fleet Block Issues The Fleet Block will be available for development in the next three years. The site provides 10 acres for development. The Fleet Block will require rezoning prior to development. Environmental remediation will be required prior to developing the Fleet Block. Development along 300 West will impact the reuse of the Fleet Block. The development of the Fleet Block needs to maximize the utility of the 900 South TRAX Station. The condition of 400 West may hinder development.
Land Use Issues: Melting Pot of Uses 400 West is a natural boundary for the current zoning.
Housing Issues Granary District Housing: Less than 20 single family homes. Housing East of 300 West: Primarily single family homes. 900 South TRAX Station Impact: Following the construction of the 900 South TRAX station there have been increase in the number of higher density multifamily developments and the number of single family homes that are owner occupied.
Ownership Privately owned. Large single owner assemblages. Smaller parcels are typically single family homes and irregular parcels created by the rail spurs.
Plans Gateway Specific Plan: The Gateway Specific Plan was adopted in 1998. The plan lists numerous objectives for the Gateway District. In general, the plan seeks to provide for the development of a diverse mixture of uses that complement downtown, encourage a variety of housing opportunities, and facilitate the enhancement and revitalization of the Gateway district.
Plans: Downtown in Motion Downtown Transportation Master Plan (Draft): The Downtown Transportation Master Plan is intended to develop and coordinate a transportation strategy that will guide Salt Lake City over the next 25 years or more. The plan is broken down into goals for each mode of transportation: Pedestrian/Bicycle, Bus, Rail and Automobile.
Development Trends Granary District: No recent construction and only limited renovation of existing buildings. To the North: Significant growth in downtown Salt Lake City. To the East: Higher density multifamily developments. To the South: Big box retail development.
Zoning: A rezone for the Granary District and adjacent neighborhoods is being contemplated. The Granary District is currently comprised of three zones: General Commercial (CG), Downtown Support District (D-2), and Public Lands.
Objectives Determine what zoning requirements should be implemented to provide for the development of a diverse mixture of uses that complement downtown, encourage a variety of housing opportunities, and facilitate the enhancement and revitalization of the Granary District. Determine the most effective reuse of the Fleet Block upon its vacation by Salt Lake City. Determine how to create strong neighborhoods with diversity in housing type, tenure, and cost. Determine how to reconstruct 400 West for multiple forms of transportation, yet maintain the railway corridor for future light rail use. Determine what parcels and types of development should be used to t maximize the utility of the 900 South TRAX Station.