The University of Utah could be getting a mixed-use development on the parking lot next to Rice-Eccles Stadium

You could live right next door to Rice-Eccles Stadium*

Filed Under University of Utah, salt lake city real estate |

It seems like mixed use developments are popping up everywhere in Salt Lake these days. But now the last place I ever expected to see one, just might get one.

The University of Utah is discussing the possibility of developing the land immediately west of the Rice-Eccles Stadium where the parking lot is now. The contention is that there is so much good land there, and it’s such a key social spot for the University, that it is being wasted by having only one ground level parking lot there. They say it could be turned into something much more exciting.

The U has a mixed-use development in mind, where there would be some residential space, offices for U staff, and maybe some retail or restaurants. Parking for U students would still be there, but they would put it underground or in a multi-level parking garage of some sort. This would allow the space to remain a place for students and game attendees to park and tailgate, but it would be a funner place where there would be lots of other stuff to do.

I like and dislike this idea. I think it’s great that they want to liven up the campus. Mixed-use developments, if done right, can be great places to visit or live. You know students would love to live there, and some employers would love to work there. When I was going to school there, I always liked that there was good food and some good retail close by, but at the same time it just wasn’t close enough sometimes. Placing retail right on campus would liven it up quite a bit.

I dislike it because of what it might do to the view of the stadium from downtown. U fans love to look up east and see the huge red stone towers of the stadium looming above the campus. It would be a shame if some ugly building were in its way. I also worry that the architectural feel of the area would be changed. Granted, the stadium might not be consistent with the other building on the U campus, or the surrounding homes, but a stadium is allowed to stand out like that. A mixed-use development should stay true to the the classic designs found in that area. It would be horrible to see some tan stucco thing right in the middle of a beautiful and historical piece of Salt Lake City.

Parking for students might also be a problem during development. They are, after all, the reason the campus is there in the first place. I don’t know how it would be done, but they would need to be smart about not obstructing existing parking during school time.

Overall, this could be a very cool idea. As long as the developer does it right, and the area feel is preserved, I’m all for it.

*My service doesn’t stop here! In addition to maintaining The Salt Lake City Utah Real Estate Blog, I also help people buy and sell homes in Utah. When you need help with either of these, contact me!

Tags: University of Utah,Rice-Eccles Stadium,Salt Lake City real estate,mixed-use developments,real estate