Jacob Scholl
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reporter at @buildingslc / south dakotan + mizzou tiger / email me jacob@buildingsaltlake.com
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Articles by Jacob Scholl
Scholl’s 6 Pack: What Vanderbilt Must Do to Beat Auburn
Vanderbilt heads to Jordan-Hare for its first SEC road test. Jacob Scholl breaks down six keys to beating Auburn, including tempo, the running game, quarterback pressure and special teams.
Scholl’s 6 Pack: What Vanderbilt Must Do to Beat NC State
Vanderbilt faces its first Power 4 test against NC State. Jacob Scholl lays out six things the Commodores must do to win, from cleaning up tackling to helping Jared Curtis settle into his first start.
Scholl’s 6 Pack: Six Things to Watch vs. Austin Peay
From the quarterback battle to the secondary, freshmen and defensive line, Jacob Scholl breaks down six things to watch in Vanderbilt’s season opener.
Idaho group buys 14-acre development site in Ogden
Idaho group buys 14-acre development site in Ogden by Jacob Scholl | May 22, 2026 After years of blight and disuse, a vacant parcel near two of Ogden’s busiest streets has another shot at being developed. Alturas Capital Partners, a real estate investment group based near Bo Building Salt Lake Sponsors
Restaurants with live music, bowling alleys announced as new F&B options in Granary District
More food and beverage options are coming to the Granary District, as the area continues its ongoing buildout. Two new restaurants — The Rustic and Bowl & Barrel — are slated to be anchors in the new Silo Park, according to a news release from Blaser Ventures and Lowe Property Group, the two companies behind the development. Both companies also developed the Post District, which is just to the east of Silo Park. The new development is located along 500 West between 500 South and 600 South.
Salt Lake City ranked dead last in study for recent graduate job prospects. Here’s why.
It’s a tough time for recent college graduates on the hunt for a job, and a recent study ranked Salt Lake City dead last for job prospects. A , the research wing of the human resources management and software company, found that Salt Lake City ranked dead last among major metros for recent college graduates.
Glendale rezone proposal could lead to for-sale units near Jordan River
A new rezone proposal in Glendale could yield a number of new housing units along Van Buren Avenue in what’s currently a single-family zone. Two single-family homes at 1379 and 1395 Van Buren Avenue are seeking a change from the current R-1-7000 zone to RMF-30, according to a proposal submitted to Salt Lake City late last month. RMF-30 allows for building heights up to 30 feet. If approved, the rezone would allow three parcels on a total of 1.25 acres to be developed into roughly 24 new units.
Salt Lake City Council to investigate Eva Lopez Chavez amid residency, misconduct allegations
Salt Lake City Council Member and former congressional candidate Eva Lopez Chavez — recently accused of sexual misconduct and moving outside of her district — will be diminished in her role on the council pending an investigation.
SLC Mayor Mendenhall proposes 12.5% property tax hike, fee increases in FY27 budget
After alluding to the possibility for years, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall is proposing a property tax hike of 12.5% in the hopes of generating $13.5 million toward the city’s budget. The proposed property tax hike would come out to paying an additional $9.87 per month (or $118.44 per year) for the average Salt Lake City home, which would be valued at $624,000, according to mayor’s office.
Coachman’s could be demolished next month, permit application says
Coachman’s could be demolished next month, permit application says by Jacob Scholl | Apr 28, 2026 In the latest update to its long-running saga, the site of an iconic but shuttered Salt Lake City restaurant in Liberty Wells could be torn down in the coming weeks. The former Coachman’s Dinne Building Salt Lake Sponsors
Crumbling historic Ogden building to be redeveloped into defense company HQ
After years of vacancy and unfulfilled plans, a historic building in Ogden’s west side now has a plan for new life. Last week, members of the Ogden City Council voted 6-1 on a land transfer development agreement to rehabilitate the Union Stock Exchange Building, an architecturally notable building that served as headquarters for livestock companies in the heart of the city’s old stockyard district.
Future of old Sugar House Sizzler land left uncertain after the failed hotel pitch
Over a year after plans for a hotel near Sugar House Park became public, the proposal is likely dead following a surprise vote by the Salt Lake City Council, leaving the future of the parcel in question with few clear answers for what might come next. It was the third separate attempt to develop the former Sizzler site, as proposals to build multifamily housing and a gas station were also unsuccessful under pushback from residents.
Salt Lake City Council rejects rezone for hotel near Sugar House Park
The saga continues. Members of the Salt Lake City Council rejected a proposal that would’ve set the stage for a seven-floor boutique hotel on the edge of Sugar House Park in a surprise vote on Tuesday. The council voted unanimously to reject the proposal to rezone a parcel of land at 2111 S. 1300 East and update the neighborhood’s future land use map. The proposal would have rezoned the 0.82 acres from MU-3 zoning to MU-8.
USA Climbing HQ files for building permit in Rio Grande
Construction on the new USA Climbing National Training Center in Salt Lake City’s Rio Grande District looks to be on the horizon. The organization is slated to build its new headquarters at 535 W. 300 South, with the project expected to cost nearly $49 million and cover nearly 103,000 square feet, according to a building permit application filed by USAC on Monday to Salt Lake City. Despite filing for the permit, USAC officials told Building Salt Lake their construction timeline is not yet clear.
SLC-owned buildings to be razed for S-Line extension, Plaza Hotel demo continues
Just weeks after getting final approvals, work on adding more public transit in Salt Lake City is close to getting underway. On Wednesday, the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency applied for three demolition permits for buildings it owns in Sugar House, with addresses listed being 1095 E. Simpson Ave., 1085 E. Simpson Ave. and 2234 S. Highland Dr. One of the buildings slated for demolition is the former home of Salt Lake City Fire Department’s Station No. 3.
Mixed-use apartment project in Central City gets SLC Council approval
More housing units are coming to Central City, as Salt Lake City recently approved a pitch to add a new mixed-use development along 400 East. Members of the Salt Lake City Council unanimously approved a master plan and zoning amendment for The Citizen 2, a multifamily development that would be built at roughly 527, 537, and 539 South 400 East. The council did not discuss the project before voting to approve the proposal last week.
Resort towns like Park City face continued lack of workforce housing, changing climate
Between the new Deer Valley East Village and the impending 2034 Winter Olympics, there’s plenty of reasons to be bullish on the Wasatch Back’s resort economy. Unlike much of the Wasatch Front, developers have large swaths of land to work with, often turning open fields into housing. But resort leaders and municipal officials agree — a lack of affordable and workforce housing remains an issue in Park City.
Deeply affordable units pitched along 200 West near Central 9th
A local nonprofit wants to build dozens of deeply affordable housing units near Central 9th and the Ballpark neighborhood. First Step House — a local group that provides residential treatment for people suffering from mental health issues and addiction — has plans for a new facility near public transit, as the group hopes to build a 70 unit development at 1055 and 1049 S. 200 West.
Western Governors University confirms plan to move HQ to SLC
The country’s largest online university will soon move to Downtown Salt Lake City after it develops its new headquarters with nearly 1 million square feet of space. On Thursday, Western Governors University, currently based in Millcreek, released early details of its plans to turn the soon-to-be-former Sheraton Hotel at 150 W. 500 South into its new office headquarters. The plans call for a mixed-use office space that would house up to 5,000 employees, according to a news release from WGU.
16-floor mixed-use project pitched for Zions Bank site in downtown Sugar House
Developers have proposed a mixed-use, 16-story project for the Sugar House downtown core along Highland Drive, a site that’s currently home to a Zions Bank. The project, dubbed GEM, would create nearly 200 housing units, according to documents submitted to Salt Lake City late Wednesday. The tower would be built on .68 acres at 2200 S. Highland Drive. The land is zoned as MU-11, though the location of the tower is one of the few areas in the city that has a 150-foot height limit.
SLC Council Weighs in on Single-Family Zoning Reform
Salt Lake City is considering updating its single-family exclusive zoning to allow for building on smaller lots throughout much of the city. As part of its effort to update its single-family zoning code, Salt Lake City is considering a proposal that would create Small Lot Dwellings as a permitted, by-right development option in the city’s residential zones. The zones impacted in the proposed changes include all R-1, R-2, SR-1 and SR-1A zones.
Profit-sharing housing model looks to build on success of Salt Lake City tower
A bold strategy aimed at financially empowering Salt Lake City renters is paying dividends — literally. Months after cutting the ribbon at its Central City tower, the Perpetual Housing Fund’s profit-sharing housing model will continue to press forward with new builds on the horizon. The fund’s first building quickly leased all of its residential units, and it’s also seeing success in filling its other spaces in the mixed-use tower.
Utah Mammoth slated to open Sandy practice facility to public — and offer beer sales - Building Salt Lake
Beer leaguers, rejoice. Utah’s NHL team will soon start welcoming the public into its Sandy practice facility — and they’re planning to offer suds to boot. The Utah Mammoth announced Monday that its practice facility, which will now be known as the Utah Mammoth Ice Center, will begin allowing the public to watch the pro hockey team’s practices starting on Feb. 21 and offer other public uses, according to a news release from the team.
SLC Mayor Says Zoning Reform Is Working and Will Continue
Don’t worry, mayor — we think zoning reform is cool. Along with announcing a number of new investments and moves that largely focused on bolstering Salt Lake City’s Downtown, two points of Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s State of the City address Tuesday were housing and the city’s zoning reform. During her speech, Mendenhall alluded to new, expanded housing options that will be presented to the Salt Lake City Council in the coming months.
Former Glendale car wash site could become 24-unit apartment building
The former site of a car wash in Glendale near Redwood Road could become home to a new apartment building under a plan released this week. Developers recently submitted a design review to Salt Lake City in the hopes of building The Stax — a 24-unit, four-floor apartment building located at 1665 W. California Avenue. The car wash that used to be located on the site has since been demolished. The potential apartment building would be located just off Redwood Road.
Vacant North Temple corridor homes to be demolished for 94 studio apartments
Developers are set to demolish a handful of former single-family homes in the Fairpark neighborhood near North Temple to make way for a studio-only apartment complex. Four vacant homes located at 60 N., 64 N., 68 N. and 72 N., 600 West are slated for demolition in early 2026, according to permit applications filed with Salt Lake City last week. The home plots are slated to be developed into the Indie Station apartments, which will consist of 94 units on .49 acres.
Kensington Investment Co. pitches mixed-use project in Park City
The investment group behind Utah’s tallest tower has its sights set on Park City with a plan that could remove an office and retail complex in exchange for over 100 housing units and over 9,000 square feet of commercial space. On Wednesday, the Park City Planning Commission heard a redevelopment proposal for the Park Meadows Plaza, which is located on 2.71 acres of land at 1500 Kearns Boulevard.
SLC Approves Changes to Two More Missing Middle Zones
Long-awaited changes to Salt Lake City’s zoning code were approved Tuesday night as the latest installment of the city overhauling its residential zoning code. The Salt Lake City Council voted 6-1 to approve an ordinance to alter its RMF-35 and RMF-45 zones, clearing up issues that have plagued the zones since they were created in 1995. With its approval Tuesday, the RMF ordinance takes effect immediately.
Makers Line Fallout Spreads Nationwide as Lawsuits Pile Up
It’s been just over two years since a handful of interconnected Utah-based development and construction companies abruptly collapsed, leaving employees without work and subcontractors unpaid for their labor. But the fallout continues. Makers Line, Q Factor and other companies connected to H. Jason Winkler and Ellen P. Winkler rode a period of construction growth for years until the businesses failed in fall 2023.
Catalyst Won't Oppose Industry SLC and Garage Receivership
A prominent office building and parking garage in the Granary District appear to be headed to a foreclosure sale after a $97.3 million default, according to a Friday court hearing. Attorneys representing Industry SLC, which was one of the first buildings to rise up in the Granary District, said during a virtual court hearing Friday they won’t fight the building going into receivership, setting up a potential foreclosure sale date in March.
A 14-hour delay? Salt Lake City Study Outlines East-West Transportation Issues
A 14-hour delay? Salt Lake City study outlines East-West transportation issues by Jacob Scholl | Nov 26, 2025 West side residents routinely have to head east to access basic daily needs, like going to work, getting groceries or accessing healthcare — all while experiencing frequent delays at train crossings Building Salt Lake Sponsors
Salt Lake City to Sell over 2 Acres Near the Rio Grande District
Salt Lake City wants to sell a former community garden near the Gateway to fund the infrastructure needed to build up the Rio Grande District. The Community Reinvestment Agency of Salt Lake City (CRA) is set to issue an RFP later this year to put 2.33 acres over four plots on the market, CRA staff said during a meeting Tuesday with Salt Lake City Council Members. The land is located along 100 South between 600 West and Dansie Drive.
Allow Some Townhomes or Lose Zoning Power?
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recently wondered if it was time for the state to usurp local authority over zoning, and a recent meeting over a low-density housing proposal in Riverton shows why. The Riverton Planning Commission tabled a 15-unit, for-sale townhome proposal Thursday after roughly an hour of a meeting filled with residents who lined up to oppose the new for-sale housing.
Salt Lake City's Multifamily Housing Market Faces Years of Headwinds
Panelists discussing capital markets during the Urban Land Institute Utah’s Annual Trends Conference. From left to right, Scott Glassberg, Phil Brierley, Keith Padien, Alexandra Schultz, Kyle Seminara, Jeff Grasso. Photo by Kelli Freshman Photography The adage for real estate investors in recent years has been “stay alive until 2025” — though that saying needs some updating.
National Real Estate Investors Are Looking to Cash in on Retail in Utah
Andy Moffitt, left, moderates a ULI Trends panel that included Chris Byers, right. Photo via Kelli Freshman Photography Mormon Wives, Swig, Crumbl — Utah’s exports have been making waves lately outside of the state. But the inverse is also happening, real estate professionals say, as they say more national brands are showing interest in coming to Utah.
LDS Church Moves Ahead With Plan to Raze Hotel and Put up a Parking Lot
Parts of the Plaza Hotel in Downtown Salt Lake City could soon start to be torn down, as part of a larger effort to raze the entire hotel and make way for a surface parking lot near Temple Square that likely isn’t allowed by city ordinance. Last week, Salt Lake City received a demolition permit in the hopes of tearing down the hotel’s canopy and adjacent parking garage, along with the former site of JB’s Restaurant, which is connected to the hotel complex.
Could modular homebuilding help make new Utah homes more affordable?
Could modular homebuilding help make new Utah homes more affordable? by Jacob Scholl | Nov 10, 2025 As state officials continue to search for ways to bring the cost of housing down, Utah’s governor recently floated one potential path for builders. During a forum in late October, Utah Gov. Spenc Building Salt Lake Sponsors
Astra Tower penthouse hits the market with record-shattering price
Salt Lake City’s apartment rental market has a new top-dollar unit — and it’s not particularly close to its competitors. Astra Tower, located at 89 E. 200 South, recently unveiled the price point of its 10 penthouses: $29,305 per month. While it’s an outlier in the building, the unit’s asking price blows past all other known high water marks for highest rent in the state, which were previously around $11,000 per month.
SLC floats new MU-15 zone as part of Ballpark NEXT rezone proposal
As part of its planned overhaul of the former Smith’s Ballpark site, Salt Lake City is considering adding a brand new zone onto its recently overhauled mixed-use zones. More zoning reform could be on the horizon, too. The city is beginning its efforts to rezone the 14.8-acre site from Public Lands (PL) in order to carry out the Ballpark NEXT design plan, according to a memo from Salt Lake City Planning Director Nick Norris.
SLC's Development-Friendly Council Appears Poised to Stay in Power
Salt Lake City voters have made it clear — the majority of municipal voters want to keep the status quo of the City Council, as incumbents and a heavily endorsed newcomer either outright declared victory Tuesday or seem to be on their way to reelection.
Scholl's 6-Pack: Texas
© 2025 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.
SLC Nonprofit Developer Wraps up Profit-Sharing Apartment Tower
On the unfinished 14th floor of the former HK Tower office building and high above the other buildings in the Central City neighborhood, local developers and state leaders spoke about a new, unique program that allows renters to begin building equity in hopes of financial stability.
Scholl's 6-Pack: Missouri
© 2025 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.
SLC Planning Commission moves Sugar House Hotel pitch forward after lengthy hearing
After an hours-long debate, the controversial plan to build a seven-story hotel is moving forward. On Wednesday night, members of the Salt Lake City Planning Commission sided with a Millcreek-based developer regarding the proposed 90-foot tall hotel on the edge of Sugar House Park. The commission opted to agree with planning staff and voted to forward a positive recommendation to the Salt Lake City Council.
Rose Park’s Only Bar Asks to Expand its Capacity by Nearly 400%
Rose Park’s lone bar wants to triple its square footage — and it’s exactly what Salt Lake City Planning Commissioners worried about when they first granted the bar a conditional use permit back in December. Paris Social Bar, located at 910 W. 1000 North, filed an application with Salt Lake City last week to update its conditional use permit just two weeks after new blanket city zoning rules took effect.
Here’s when Trader Joe’s will finally open in Riverdale
The time has come, Weber County. The long-awaited Trader Joe’s grocery store location in Riverdale, located at 4060 S. Riverdale Road, will open this week. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place just before the store opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, according to a press release from the company. Just after the ribbon cutting, the store will open from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., which will be the store’s typical hours.
Here's Why a Developer Says He Needs 90 Feet for the Sugar House Park Hotel
Millcreek developer John Potter has a plan for what might be the most difficult, controversial development site in Salt Lake City. Potter, founder and CEO at Magnus Hotel Management, has the support of city staff to upzone the former Sizzler restaurant property at 2111 S. 1300 East to allow for a new building that’s more than twice as tall as the current zoning allows.
Scholl's 6-Pack: LSU
© 2025 On3 Media, Inc. All rights reserved. On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media, Inc.
Here's Where the Candidates Stand on Development in SLC's Avenues District
In some of Salt Lake City’s oldest neighborhoods, candidates are targeting an incumbent on the future of real estate development, the condition of parks and policies that might make the city more friendly to families. Incumbent Council Member Chris Wharton is seeking his third term on the council, while candidates Blake McClary, Jake Seastrand, Liddy Huntsman-Hernandez and David Berg are trying to be the new face of District 3.
Project approved at old Office Max corner at 4th South and 9th East
A proposed development in East Central at the old Office Max corner at 900 East and 400 South is moving forward after winning unanimous city approval on Wednesday evening. The Salt Lake City Planning Commission voted 7-0 to approve the design review of the Chapter SLC apartment complex, located at 410 S. 900 East, which will be marketed as housing for college students. Development plans were first submitted to Salt Lake City in May.
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