Tag Archives: development

The Demise of the Jubilee Center

Posted on August 10, 2008 | Leave a comment

The Jubilee Center was “home” for many peace meetings and events from 2001 – 2006. It was owned by the Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City and not only catered to peace groups, but also provided services to homeless and low income people. The church sold the center a few years ago and built new buildings on the same lot as its church building (the Jubilee Center was in the block east of the church).

The Jubilee Center was purchased by some east coast investment firm which let it sit for almost 3 years. Last week, I saw it being torn down. The photos below show the building being demolished, with what was left of the stage still standing when I passed it:

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TRAX lines taking a back seat? A-GAIN

Posted on October 2, 2006 | Leave a comment

In today’s Salt Lake Tribune, the article Transit plan sends TRAX to the back:
Salt Lake County voters’ OK of a sales tax hike would aid Utah County commuter rail readers are being told that TRAX lines in the works (for years now) may again be delayed.

….only Salt Lake County is asking voters to approve a measure the Legislature passed in a special session Sept. 19.
If the county’s voters approve, the vote will raise sales taxes by a quarter-cent, bringing the portion dedicated to transit to three-quarters of a cent. But a good portion of the increase will be dedicated to linking Utah County commuter rail with the rest of the Wasatch Front. As a result, some of the new planned TRAX lines might have to wait.
That’s because Utah County has for six years declined to tax itself for commuter rail. Now, for the system to be complete, Salt Lake County needs to build its section, too. Those in Salt Lake County who question the fairness of the situation ought to just look at the county as a progressive leader working toward a needed regional mass-transit system, said County Councilman Joe Hatch.

Read the rest of the article to find out how SL County Council members fared in this discussion.

As a voter and user of mass transportation, and as one who voted to implement new rail lines in SL County, I am becoming tired of this game.

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Bicycle Riding

Posted on July 5, 2006 | Leave a comment

I have been riding my bicycle a lot for the past several years. You discover a lot by bicycling and walking.

Walking affords one to really see their surroundings. Each time I walk in my neighborhood I see new things.

Bicycling really allows one to get to places more quickly than walking. It also allows one to see how reckless many automobile drivers are. I’ve known several people who have been hit by cars while on bikes (car drivers’ fault), including my son.

Both forms of transportation afford one more exercise. They both involve more planning and time, but the benefits far outweigh the “benefits” of driving for convenience and is healthier to our bodies, mind and planet.

We need more walkable communities, better mass transportation, and more incentives to walk and bicycle.

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Green Building

Posted on January 24, 2006 | Leave a comment

One of the visions of my school community is to eventually build a green school. We want to make sure we do it right, so we are continuing to lease property so as to take our time to carefully plan an environmentally responsible school building.

Today’s Salt Lake Tribune reports that Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson has amended his executive order on green building.

This means that buildings such as police and fire facilities and public safety buildings will have to adhere to more strict environmental standards. New city-owned buildings larger than 10,000 square feetwill be required to meet these standards.

Anderson recognizes that it is more expensive up front to build green building, but in the long run it saves energy costs and lessens the negative impacts on our environment.

Anderson is pursuing the implementation of more environmentally responsible standards for privately owned businesses as well as for providing incentives for single-family constructed homes.

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