🌱 City's RDA Looks To West Side Projects + Downtown SEARS Sold

Salt Lake City UT

20 December, 2021

5:18 PM

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Up and at 'em, Salt Lake City! Let's get you all caught up to start this day off on an informed note. Here's everything worth knowing in town today. First, today's weather: Freezing fog in the a.m.; hazy. High: 37 Low: 23. Here are the top 4 stories in Salt Lake City today: After decades of redevelopment funds prioritized for other areas of the city, the west side is now an early spending priority for Salt Lake's Redevelopment Agency. Two locations in the RDA's new 9-Line Project Area highlight where city spending would go, including what is designated a "community node" in Poplar Grove. That parcel, rezoned as Residential Mixed Use, would see the development of the type of now-ubiquitous structure across the SLC landscape, that of residential apartments atop street-level retail. (buildingsaltlake.com)Staffing shortages are contributing to significant delays in providing shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake City. Homeless service provider The Road Home needs to hire 30 people in order to operate a temporary 250-bed shelter, for example, but it isn't the only organization experiencing critical personnel deficiencies. Still, its North Temple overflow shelter may not be open until January despite the snow already falling in SLC. (Salt Lake Tribune) A Walmart fulfillment center is coming to Salt Lake City this summer. Along with its million-plus square feet in the industrial and hotel zone west of the SLC International Airport, the center is expected to bring an estimated 450 full-time, permanent jobs to the region. (ABC 4)A downtown landmark-turned-eyesore for many, the long-empty SEARS building between Main and State streets has been purchased by none other than one of SLC's largest employers and the state's largest healthcare providers. Closed since 2018, Intermountain Healthcare has purchased the site just south of downtown but admits that what it plans to do with it is still in development. (Fox 13) Today's Salt Lake City Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Salt Lake City! Today in Salt Lake City: Whether you're an avid birder or new to the hobby, come join a birding expert from HawkWatch International, as it guides a group around Red Butte Garden to identify and learn about the many birds that call the area home. (4:00 PM)Travel into the Candy Cane Vortex to be transported to the North Pole without leaving Salt Lake! Pause for some famous Apple Cider Donuts and other treats at Cross E Ranch's walk-thru event and Christmas lights display. (5:00 PM)The Utah Symphony brings you the beloved holiday classic, Home Alone, featuring renowned composer John Williams' enchanting score performed live to picture by the symphony at Abravanel Hall. (7:00 PM) From my notebook: This Panaderia in Rose Park serves up fresh bread and pastries for customers, many of whom come every day. The Mexican-style bakery is more of a way of life for the owner, and certainly for many of the customers, who rely on the freshness of both the sweet and savory offerings. (Salt Lake Tribune)One dedicated Salt Lake food magazine has tracked more than 195 new restaurants in the Beehive State. Noting that between all the new "bars, coffee shops, bakeries, food trucks, delivery services, and so many restaurants. I'm willing to bet my Christmas card money that there are several restaurants you haven't yet heard of in this collection – and many more still you haven't tasted."(Gastronomic SLC)In a heartwarming holiday tradition rekindled, the NICU nurses at Intermountain Medical Center and Primary Children's Hospital play Santa for the babies spending the holiday season under their watchful care. In what they call "My First Christmas with Santa" the nurses, dressed like Old St. Nick himself, pose for photos with the babies in their charge, for a moment of joy that many families use as Christmas cards. (Fox 13)The Utah Museum of Fine Art has acquired the works of artist Chiura Obata, considered one of the most important Japanese-American artists in the 20th century. The UMFA announced that the Obata estate has given the museum 35 of the artist's works, including images of Utah's Topaz internment camp Obata made while imprisoned there. (Salt Lake Tribune)Salt Lake City has topped a national list for 2022 housing market predictions, slated by Realtor.com to outpace Boise for year-over-year sales growth and price increases. The jarring pace at which the housing market in Utah's capital and its metro area are climbing contributes to a real estate market where housing demand outpaces supply. (Deseret News) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Events: Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD's Sunniest Blooms (December 21) Social Security Seminar (January 6) Add your event Loving the Salt Lake City Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon. — Joseph Peterson About me: Joseph is a writer and marketing communications strategist with a degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations from the University of Utah. He's keen on city life, public libraries, national parks, and promoting events that build community.