Quote:
Originally Posted by Syndic
The problem that I'm seeing with all of the developments in the SLC metro area is that none of them have ground-floor retail. That should be a feature of just about every single building that gets built.
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There is ample retail where retail makes sense, particularly Downtown where street level retail/commercial is a given. As far as the Metro TRAX/FrontRunner stations, retail is usually if not almost always a part of the mix. Whether it's an adjacent lifestyle center or simply commerical enterprises, such as drycleaners, convenience markets, medical offices etc. If a large apartment complex is located within steps of a major retail center, then what sense would it make to place retail at the base vs. ground level apartments? One must have an intimate acquaintance of the surrounding neighborhood first, and at what phase a particular development has entered, before a judgement is passed on what that development needs. Convenience oriented commercial/retail at the many Transit Stations is the ongoing norm as their development phases progress. Remember, many of these metro stations are brand new and are solely a station cover at this point. Depending on the current phase they're in and how rapidly they're progressing, convenience of services is always a paramount in the full blown plans. The major stations in the Metro may first place premiums on major attractions, such as a new stadium, acquarium, office complex, or medical center. Often, the gradual blending in of residential/retail is planned for the next phases. Sometimes, retail is the first major component and residential is slated as a followup phase. Then again, for some of these Stations everything seems to be happening all at once at a breakneck pace. The Salt Lake CSA is one of the hottest retail markets in the country right now.
Ultimately, there are almost as many variations of what phase comes first for these new developments as there are developments. However the demographic numbers crunch out for these savy national developers, usually will determine which phase they place the most emphasis on first.