Aerial rendering of the Central Ninth Lofts designed by Axis Architects.  Image courtesy LandForge Inc.

The momentum is building in Central Ninth. The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake recently selected LandForge Inc. to redevelop two adjacent parcels in the neighborhood.  The RDA released two Request for Proposals (RFP) for the current headquarters of Local First Utah and the adjacent parcel currently being used as a community garden.

LandForge proposes to build the Central Ninth Lofts, a mixed-use project that will occupy both parcels at the northeast corner of the 900 South and 200 West intersection, across from Blue Copper Coffee Room.

According to Derek Allen, president of LandForge Inc, his company seeks to create infill projects that are a catalyst for development.  Allen and his team, including Axis Architects, felt that Central Ninth was a good neighborhood to invest in.

“It has the potential to be a distinct neighborhood, we see the creation of a new node” said Allen.

Allen cited the neighborhoods proximity to downtown and Interstate 15 and its access to mass transit and reasons the neighborhood is desirable to developers.

Since the 900 South TRAX station opened just over a decade ago, the RDA has invested heavily in the neighborhood.  The city broke ground on the Central Ninth Market last October.  The market, a RDA project with Atlas Architects, will include a grocery store, bar, restaurant, salon and new offices for Local First.

The RDA held a 3-day Urban Design Workshop in November to gather public input on the best way to improve 900 South.  Potential changes to the street include a lane reduction, more landscaping and the addition of a cycle track (bike lane).

LandForge’s proposal to the RDA calls for a mixed-use residential development with 23 for-sale-units, 4,000 square feet of retail space and a potential GREENbike station next to the TRAX station. The project will include townhomes where the Local First building sits while the main building fronting 900 South will have condo units above ground floor retail space.  The project will include shared outdoor space and private outdoor patio space for each unit.

Allen hopes to obtain LEED Gold certification for the development and incorporate a public art mural into the building’s facade.

According to Allen the area has many things going for it, but the neighborhood needs more long term residents.  Up until now many of the new construction projects in the neighborhood have been rental projects, including the Prana Townhomes, a 21-unit townhome project under construction a block from the Central Ninth Lofts at the intersection of Washington Street and 800 South.

LandForge hopes to begin selling the residential units by early 2017.

Rendering of the Central Ninth Lofts designed by Axis Architects . Image courtesy LandForge Inc