Salt Lake City has begun several projects aimed at improving "livability and sustainability," according to two-term Mayor Ralph Becker. The new projects are in addition to the city's recently completed public safety building and the $1.8-billion replacement of terminals at its international airport, already under way. Related Links: SLC Public Safety Building Designed for Net-Zero-Energy Use City Creek Retail Revives Central Business District Dust from building the City Creek mixed-use development had barely settled when across Main Street work on Salt Lake's new Broadway-style performing arts theater began. Farther west, near the Jordan River, the city has started construction of

ENR Mountain States continues its 2014 series on "Things to Watch" across the region: projects, people, firms and trends that may have ripple effects on the industry. This second installment offers more of the things we consider worth watching. Related Links: CDOT Selects U.S. 6 Design-Build Team CDOT Selects U.S. 6 Design-Build Team Colorado Ranked 8th in the U.S. in LEED400 projects awaiting approvalThe U.S. Green Building Council has ranked Colorado eighth in the nation in LEED projects in 2013, down from third overall in 2012 and second in 2011. But the state certified 124 LEED projects last year, compared

Who and what will you be watching across the industry this year? In this, the first 2014 issue of ENR Mountain States, we are launching a new feature called "Things to Watch." The use of the generic word "thing" is intentional because we are not limiting our choices to projects or companies or people—although those certainly will be included. We will also highlight trends, issues, industry milestones and even some cautionary tales. Related Links: CDOT Opens New I-70 Eastbound Twin Tunnel AIA Colorado Presents Young Architects Awards We're looking across the industry to see who is making an impact—an above-and-beyond

The 92nd annual meeting of the Utah Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America opened in Salt Lake City Jan. 23 with the theme of “Building Knowledge.” Photo by Brian Fryer Jeff Edwards, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corp. of Utah, presents his economic forecast for AGC of Utah members at the 2014 convention in late January. Photo by Brian Fryer Barbara Taylor of R&O Construction accepts an AGC of Utah award for the company's work on the Station Park retail development in Farmington, Utah. But “building optimism” could have been just as appropriate, with a positive

The roadside scenery along U.S. Interstate 15 through Draper, Utah, about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, is not unlike that in other metropolitan areas of the West—filled with signs for fast food restaurants and motels. But the owner and builder of the new Living Planet Aquarium, slated to open in December, are hoping the new facility west of the interstate among the strip malls and low-profile office parks will stand out like a fish out of water. Related Links: Natural History Museum of Utah Blends Natural Elements Into the Design Clyfford Still Museum Shines as a Concrete Jewel

Nearly 50 years since the last neighborhood streetcars rumbled though Salt Lake City, the S-Line marks the return of that transit option to the city. The first phase of the project eschews the street for a reclaimed rail corridor with green space and trails. Photo by Brian Fryer The S-Line uses the same vehicles as the TRAX light rail system, with some modifications to the exterior. Inside, the cars have more room for standing passengers and bicycles. With a blast of celebratory fireworks and the sounding of a train bell, officials from the Utah Transit Authority, Salt Lake and South

The story of Okland Construction begins far from Salt Lake City. The company was started in 1918 by Norwegian boat builder John Okland, who immigrated to America, drawn here by a chance encounter. He launched a company that four generations later continues to shape the skyline of the new West. Related Links: Salt Lake City Public Safety Building Net Zero New SLC Federal Courthouse on Schedule "He was coming from Norway to study engineering and live with an uncle in North Dakota," says Randy Okland, current Okland Construction board chairman. He recounts the story of his grandfather's passage to America

Salt Lake City officials unveil on July 19 what they say is the largest public-owned building anywhere to generate as much energy as it uses. In planning Salt Lake City’s new $125-million Public Safety Building, city officials came to the design team with a full slate of requests. They wanted a building that could withstand and continue to operate after a large-scale earthquake or terrorist attack.They asked for a building that would be welcoming to the public, could host city events and extend a three-block stretch of public buildings that includes the Matheson Courthouse, the historic City County Building, the

Photo courtesy of Kennecott Mining has resumed at the Bingham Canyon mine despite massive infrastructure damage after a landslide in April. Related Links: Kennecott mining copper ore again On the last weekend in April, Kennecott Utah Copper reported it had resumed mining ore from its Bingham Canyon mine in Utah, less than a month after a massive landslide. Some 129,000 tons of ore were delivered to a crusher over a two-day period, a company spokesman said. The normal processing rate is 150,000 tons a day.Slightly two weeks after a landslide sent 165 million tons of earth down into the world’s

Just over two weeks after a landslide sent 165 million tons of earth down into the world’s largest open-pit copper mines located west of Salt Lake City, covering portions of the floor up to 300 ft deep, mine officials will be allowed a closer look at the damage. The Mine Safety and Health Administration recently cleared geologists and engineers from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott Utah Copper to enter the massive slide area in the Bingham Canyon mine. Photo courtesy of Kennecott An April 10 landslide sent 165 million tons of earth down into the worlds largest open-pit copper mine west of