Salt Lake City is now home to a six-foot-tall baby girl… who happens to be a giraffe. The new giraffe was born at Hogle Zoo a week and a half ago and is now out for everyone to meet. Primary Giraffe Keeper Cindy Segneri says Kipenzi, the nine-year-old mother, was pregnant for 14 months before starting to deliver while out on exhibit.
Salt Lake City homeowners could soon have a more direct role in making decisions about preservation. The city council is expected to vote tomorrow on a proposal that would allow residents to vote on whether specific neighborhoods in the city should be designated as local historic districts. Councilwoman Jill Remington Love says every neighborhood in the city would be subject to the same process.
Public transit riders in downtown Salt Lake City received some good news Wednesday. After a year of discussions, the Utah Transit Authority put the brakes on a plan to eliminate the Free Fare Zone, saying buses and TRAX will continue to operate for free in several blocks of downtown. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, the agency says keeping the zone will require some operational changes to be made in the coming months.
Mayors throughout the Salt Lake Valley are lending their support to Millcreek Township residents who want to incorporate this November. West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder, who is president of the Salt Lake Valley Conference of Mayors, says the group passed a resolution last week offering its support.
After four years of discussions, Salt Lake City is now welcoming alcohol establishments to open up in many more neighborhoods. Last week, the city council voted to adopt a measure that will allow pubs, dining clubs and social clubs in several commercial districts next to residential neighborhoods. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, the new ordinance doesn’t mean more bars will actually be springing up soon in Salt Lake City.
A new leader of the Salt Lake Public Library System could be announced within days. Spokeswoman Julianne Hancock says the Library’s Board of Directors has narrowed down its search for a new Executive Director to two candidates, both of whom have been visiting with staff and board members since Sunday.
The fate of Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s initiative to allow bars in more walkable neighborhood areas remains up in the air as the city council continues to debate alternatives and hear from residents concerned about noise and safety, among other issues. KCPW’s Jeff Robinson spoke with Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen, who represents west-side neighborhoods like Rose Park, for an update on last night’s city council meeting.
More pieces are coming together for Salt Lake City’s proposed Utah Performing Arts Center. Wednesday, city officials announced who will be designing and building the $110 million project. HKS Architects, a local firm, along with Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects beat out 14 other bidders to design the Broadway-style theater on Main Street. Michael Vela, managing principal with HKS, says it’s still too early to tell what the theater will look like.
The Salt Lake City Council will consider recommendations from the planning commission today in an effort to better regulate electronic signs and billboards in the city. Council Chair Soren Simonsen says there have a been a lot of changes in sign and billboard technology that need to be recognized.
There are two kinds of meters in downtown Salt Lake City. Both sit on the sidewalk and accept change, but instead of parking, one is aimed at curbing panhandling. The HOST program raises money through its red meters to help connect the homeless with social services and resources. But as KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports, most of the donations that have come in so far haven’t been from the public.
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