9th & 9th in the spring

I stopped by 9th and 9th today, and took some more pictures. Previous pictures were on a cold morning in late March before people out and before trees were green. These pictures show the amenities and design features that make this an attractive pedestrian area: wide sidewalks, interesting shops and restaurants pulled right up to those sidewalks, shade trees, benches, tables. The close proximity of the buildings is critical in creating a little bit of enclosure, and a feeling of security and place for the pedestrians.

Neighborhood Surrounding 9th and 9th

I took a stroll down a couple of the streets to the south of the 9th and 9th shopping district. Check out some of the nearby homes:

Not as big and glamourous as the Harvard/Yale area, or even quite as well kept up as the Sugarhouse area. However, these are beautifully designed homes, with the type of character and architectural elements that you don't find in newer subdivisions. It will be enjoyable to watch as this neighborhood continues to improve as more and more homeowners, (not just businesses) move in and invest in the area.

Shops of 9th and 9th

As you walk around 9th and 9th, it's amazing the variety of shops that are packed into this little area. The following is a sampling: Great Harvest Bread, a veterinary hospital, boutiques, and a barber shop.

 

  

                                                                                

There's also a dry cleaners, a bike shop, a children's clothing store, several restaurants, an accountant, a plumbing supply store, a palm reader, and more. 

9th and 9th actually extends almost to 11th East. I dropped in and chatted with the owner of an antique shop a couple blocks up the street. She said that the investments made down at the 9th and 9th intersection have definitely increased the amount of foot traffic that she gets. Across the street from the antique shop is Hip and Humble, a popular clothing, home, and accessories boutique owned by two sisters.

 

Walkability

The following pictures show why 9th and 9th is walkable:

Notice the street furniture, the shade trees, the continuous wall of shops, providing a feeling of enclosure and security, with plenty of windows displaying interesting things to look at. What I didn't show in my pictures is that there's only one lane of traffic each way, with diagonal parking and a landscaped median. All of these design elements tell drivers that they are in a location that is meant for walking, and that they must proceed slowly. On a summer evening, the area is full of people walking from one shop to the next, socializing, eating, relaxing.

The only problem with this area is that we need more of it.

The Tower

This place is an icon in Salt Lake City, and has been an anchor to the 9th and 9th neighborhood. The Tower Theater is the oldest Salt Lake area theater still in operation. It is run by the Salt Lake Film society, who promotes and supports independent films. Not surprisingly, The Tower is one of the venues of the Sundance film festival. 

9th & 9th

OK, so this is an intersection, not a neighborhood, but the 9th & 9th area has been expanding out, so it's becoming a neighborhood. In fact, some neighbors are so proud of where they live, they've painted their house in commemoration:

Located about a mile southwest of downtown, this spot has a bunch of fun, interesting shops, an independent movie theater, and a few restaurants and professional services mixed in, including a pet hospital.