Signs of life in Salt Lake City’s Granary District
Salt Lake City is a commuter city. Most residents live in suburban developments and those that do work downtown either drive in or take mass transit. SLC is by no means unique in this way. Many cities around the U.S. have experienced similar growth, making downtowns more of a destination rather than a place to inhabit.
In full disclosure, I am one of those residents. I live at the south end of the valley and come downtown only on the rare occasion to shop or dine. And, like most of us that live outside the city, I usually come up I-15, take the 600 South exit, and then head north to the Gateway, Energy Solutions Arena, or the newly-developed City Creek Center. Not once have I ever thought about heading south after getting off on 6th. Not once have I ever had an inclination to go explore the area now known as the Granary District. Why would I? From afar, the area looks abandoned. Empty warehouses and retail stores, unassuming residential homes and large, open spaces dot the district’s landscape. I have passed the area by numerous times, without so much as an acknowledgement of its existence.
I stumbled upon the Kentlands Initiative by accident, thanks to a Facebook post by the great folks at the SLC Farmers Market. They mentioned a new pop-up retail concept starting this summer in the Granary District. The market would feature retail shops in shipping containers. Since I love unique and different ideas on marketing and retail environments, I thought I would dig a little deeper (plus I had no idea where the Granary District even was). What I found was so much more than a local summer activity. What I found was as entire movement to rejuvenate and restore a once diverse and thriving area, steeped in the history of Salt Lake City.
In an effort to know more, I contacted the Kentlands Initiative (the non-profit taking the lead on the Granary project) for an interview and I had the privilege of speaking with Christian Harrison. When I met with Christian, I quickly learned that this wasn’t some short term, “let’s-turn-a-quick-profit-by-building-some-apartments-for-hipsters,” type of project. In fact, it is just the opposite type of urban redevelopment. According to Christian, most redevelopment projects in downtown environments are spearheaded by a developer looking to attract tenants with a new building or maybe by overhauling an old building. A kind of “build it and they will come” strategy. The problem is that although the new/remodeled building might be a great addition to a neighborhood, there really isn’t a focus on creating a community. In contrast, the Granary Project is a tenant-driven urban setting, where the tenants, both commercial and residential, are the ones influencing how the neighborhood is redeveloped.
The Kentlands’ website says it best: “Before the sub-dividing of America, neighborhoods were the natural result of people gathering to work, to play, and to live.” It is their desire to see the Granary District return to this model that makes this urban redevelopment project special.
“It’s a long term focus,” Christian says. “We want to help the area evolve while still maintaining the gritty, diverse, and grounded personality it has developed over the years.” The industrial area grew up around the railroad and although the rail lines moved west, the neighborhood retained the tough, hardworking heritage on which it was founded. “It’s not a blank slate. We can’t just tear down everything and start over,” says Christian. “That’s why the area is special. There’s already a lifeblood that exists.”
So where does the project go from here? Like any redevelopment project, there are numerous hurdles to overcome. Fortunately, those haven’t dampened the passion of the individuals involved. Last year, the Kentlands Initiative hosted a seven-day workshop that included local residents, business owners, government officials, and city planners to outline the long-term goals of the district. Now, more than just the locals were discussing the hope for community. For the first time in recent memory, the area was being identified as a community, as a neighborhood.
When Christian said it was a long-term focus, he wasn’t kidding – he’s talking in terms of decades. In the coming years, new light rail lines and streetcars are being planned to connect the district with surrounding areas. Additional walking and biking trails, urban gardens and outdoor spaces, and a unique industrial park are all on the docket for development. And even though most of these changes will require years to complete, change is already happening. A community block party recently brought tenants together for the first time and just last month, the successful launch of the Granary Row pop-up market and festival space has thrust the district into the limelight.
Salt Lake City is OUR city. Whether you are a lifetime resident or a transplant like me, the health and future success of the city is really up to us. That’s why our support of grassroots movements like the Kentlands Initiative is essential. Head down there, go to the Row, walk the streets and look at some of the historical buildings and enjoy what the Granary District has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.
For more info on Granary Row, visit granaryrow.org or check them out on Facebook. If you want to learn more about the project as a whole, you can see a detailed overview here.
Photo credit: facebook.com/granarydistrictslc
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Daniel Royer is the Director of Communications for Signs.com, an online custom signage company specializing in banners, yard signs, magnets and decals for small businesses, individuals and organizations. Daniel has over 6 years marketing and corporate communications experience working in the print and graphics industry.
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