Utah Heritage Foundation

In the April 2011 Community Newsletter produced by the University of Utah, among the campus projects announced was the pending demolition of Carlson Hall.  This is the first time the long-rumored new building for the U of U Law School has been publicly announced to be on the site of the historic women's residence hall turned classroom building.

Located on one of the most prominently seen sites on campus (corner of University Street @ 400 South), this structure completed in 1938, was designed by prominent SLC architects Ashton & Evans and built with WPA funds.  Carlson Hall was named after August Carlson who bequested $121,519.22 to the university upon his death.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996 and also served as classrooms for numerous departments, mostly recently Math and Humanities.  It may not only be a target due to its prominent location on campus and proximity to the current Quinney Law School building, but also due to its understated architectual style which was prominently used at the time of construction.  Buildings of this type were not ostentious and the public would not supported that type of building in an era of going without meeting basic needs which led to being fiscally astute.

While historic preservation has played a prominent role on President's Circle where the majority of the oldest structures exist, it's unfortunate that a university that pledges to be concerned about sustainability and green building principles cannot see how conserving an entire building supports that policy and implement a campus-wide policy for historic preservation and rehabilitation.  It's left up to each individual school or college and its Dean with nearly carte blanche acceptance of whatever they dictate as long as the financial bottom line is met.  In my experience, only federal judges may have more power to dictate building projects.

With its proximity to downtown, the University of Utah within walking distance, or the mountains and other cities via TRAX and multiple bus mass transit systems, and some of the greatest and most diverse stock of aesthetically appealing and range of prices, the University Neighborhood in Salt Lake City made This Old House’s 2011 list of Best Old House Neighborhoods: Northwest and West.  Spurred by local residents, the area was designated as a National Register Historic District in 1991 and later as a local historic district.

Built predominantly between 1900 and 1920, the architectural character of the area is mixed between high style Period Revival styles, Craftsman, Bungalow, and Queen Anne, and more modest versions of the same styles mixed with Victorian cottages and modern era structures.  With a mix between owner-occupied housing and rentals, a precarious balance is always needed in any town-gown community to ensure that the needs of both user groups are being met, but historic preservation is also being achieved to the satisfaction of all parties for the community good.  So, no matter who owns the property or what its use, the preservation guidelines that are in place help ensure that everyone is working from a level playing field, making the University Neighborhood a great place to be.

Project

Conduct inspections of the 118 properties on which Utah Heritage Foundation holds historic preservation easements.  The process involves sending pre-inspection letters to property owners, documenting each elevation of the buildings with photographs and a written assessment, evaluating changes in the condition of the buildings since the previous inspection (2010), making recommendations to property owners in a follow-up letter, and writing a summary of the inspection findings for the UHF Board of Trustees.

Time Frame

Please join the College of Architecture + Planning for the 2011 Martin Brixen Memorial Lecture, an annual event held to honor distinguished alumnus, faculty member and friend of the College, Martin Brixen.

The CA+P is pleased to announce Monica Ponce de Leon, Principal in Office dA, an internationally known design practice, and Dean of Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan, as this year’s distinguished speaker.

“Approximations”
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
5:30 PM
Gould Auditorium, J. Willard Marriott Library

Thanks to all of the panel and all those who attended the Modernism at Risk discussion panel.  Clearly, there are many challenges ahead in preserving the modernism of Utah, but our collective work is positioning future landmarks for the best possible outcome.

Most people probably don’t think of farming and sheepherding when they think of South Salt Lake today.  The once bucolic town was the crossroads of rail lines and sheep trails into Parley’s Canyon, but also sought out for entertainment as families made their way to Wandamere Park (now Nibley Park Golf Course) for rides and amusement.  Yesterday, Mayor Cherie Wood announced that the city is “on the move” as the crossroads between interstates, industry, neighborhoods, recreation, and the arts.  And she’d like to make the centerpiece of the town’s new move a renovated and adaptively used Granite High School.

We couldn’t agree more!

As one of the oldest high schools in the Salt Lake Valley, Granite carries great tradition.  Its prominent location on 3300 South and across from the Pioneer Craft House should be leveraged to provide a centerpiece for central valley arts and cultural groups to expand, recreation to foster, and community to feel welcome.  In my opinion, the historic building would also serve as a fabulous city hall.

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