Wagstaff Crane Service and Sure Steel worked together on the installation of a pedestrian skybridge, one of many highlights on this latest dynamic phase at HCI. (photo courtesy Wagstaff Crane Service)
A New Hope
Stunning new $178 million Kathryn F. Kirk Center is the latest state-of-the-art facility on the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the U of U, the fifth phase of a glorious campus spanning the past quarter century. By Doug Fox
As has been common on virtually every phase of HCI over the years, contractors were challenged by a tight worksite on a bustling university campus. (photo courtesy Layton Construction)
By serving five states in the Mountain West region, the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) already provides care to the largest geographic region of any center in the United States. Its ability to care for those patients—and the 52,000+ new cancer diagnoses expected in the region this year alone—just improved substantially with the opening of the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women's Cancers.
The new 10-story center—overall the fifth expansion phase on the HCI campus in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah—adds 225,000 SF and increases the institute's clinical care capability by 50%. The $178 million project adds 48 inpatient rooms, an entire floor dedicated to breast and gynecologic cancers, an operating room suite, an endoscopy center, a blood and marrow cancer treatment space, an expanded wellness and integrative health center, and an oncology faculty workspace.
Mary Beckerle, PhD, and CEO of the institute, said the opening of the Kirk Center is not only a significant milestone that greatly enhances the research and patient care organization's mission, but also specifically addresses the growing need for specialized cancer care and early detection services in the Mountain West, ensuring patients receive the best possible care.
"This expansion allows us to perform more sophisticated cancer surgeries and serve more patients effectively," Beckerle said. "Patients now have access to more than 325 innovative clinical trials, giving them the opportunity to explore cutting-edge treatments and therapies."
According to Lisa Whoolery Ramidan, Senior Principal at Salt Lake-based Architectural Nexus, the design firm that oversaw the project (and all five phases of the iconic campus), the goal of the new center is to capitalize on the HCI's previous success to further develop the facility and care for patients.
"The mission of the HCI is patient first, united effort, and excellence in all it does," Ramidan said. "The expansion will further enhance the ability to meet that mission to serve patients."

The project, which held its ribbon-cutting May 8 and began welcoming outpatient and inpatient appointments in June, appears well-positioned to accomplish all of that.
A Beacon on the Hill
Sandy-based Layton Construction provided general contractor duties for the project, which held its groundbreaking on Sept. 9, 2019, and reached substantial completion in April of this year.
One of the project's biggest challenges, Layton representatives said, had to be resolved right from the beginning and revolved around location logistics and site availability. With the new center's location planned to sit on the side of a mountain, up against a preserve, the site first had to be prepped with blasting and excavation—a time-consuming process. Complicating matters was the fact patient treatments and regular work continued in the campus' other four existing buildings.
"As with any healthcare project, it is our goal to work seamlessly with hospital operations," said Jim Faussett, Senior Superintendent for Layton Construction. "We excavated for approximately nine months and then blasted for eight months—all while prioritizing the facility's patients and staff."
Faussett said the crew specifically scheduled daily blasting at 5 p.m. to ensure linear accelerator procedures were complete for the day in case recalibration was needed. In addition, they learned that their presence, and the blasting, actually turned out to be a welcome distraction to patients rather than an annoyance.
"The director at Huntsman informed us on multiple occasions how patients enjoyed watching us work so much that they would schedule their infusion treatments during that specific time of day to watch the blasts," Faussett said.
Another construction and engineering challenge was erecting a double-decker bridge that needed to be set prior to building the Kathryn F. Kirk Center due to site access and schedule availability.
According to Jeff Miller, a Principal at Reaveley Engineers in Salt Lake City, the two-level patient transport bridge connects the existing cancer hospital (the Phase II expansion) with the new Kathryn F. Kirk Center.
"For the bridge to connect to the necessary circulation points, almost the entire length needed to extend over the roofs of the existing Phase II and Phase III buildings," Miller said. "The new loads imposed on the existing structure by the bridge needed to be supported with little to no interruption to the ongoing function of the existing hospital space. After working with the architectural team to study several options for configuring and supporting the bridge, a solution was developed to support the bridge on existing concrete walls at a stair core in Phase 2. This made it possible to perform all bridge construction above the roof levels of Phase II and III with no interruption to the operation of the existing hospital space."
Faussett also pointed to the challenge of setting the bridge.
"We brought in a 900-foot crane to give us better access to the area and ultimately decided to set the bridge at night to accommodate the clinic area beneath it," Faussett said. "An added component to the crane was that the manufacturer needed to upgrade the software to allow the crane to handle the picks. This crane and pick has been featured in multiple Liebherr articles because of the technicalities and complexities."
According to Ronnie Wagstaff, Project Manager for Murray-based Wagstaff Crane Service, the firm utilized a Liebherr LTM 1750-9.1 to hoist the 175-ft., 125,000 lb. sky bridge into place, requiring tight precision by the operator, and a great team effort between WCS, Layton, and South Weber-based Sure Steel to ensure project safety on this massive lift.
"This was such a challenging and rewarding project to be involved with from start to finish," said Wagstaff. "We definitely enjoyed the challenges that were presented with the job site [...] it took a great team effort to get this bridge set."
With the Kirk Center being the institute's fifth construction phase, Ramidan said it was important for the new building to align with, complement and build upon the pre-established campus design aesthetic. The exterior design of the building includes a mixture of concrete, masonry, curtain wall and metal panel systems.
"The combination of groundface and chiselface concrete masonry gives a natural limestone appearance to blend with the natural landscape, and projects a strong and permanent presence," Ramidan said. "The curtain wall is a unitized system with custom champagne-colored frame that matches the existing hospital. A variety of low-E energy efficient glazing is used throughout the building, from fritted glazing at the main lobbies and waiting spaces to maximize daylighting while reducing glare to glazing with different visible light transmittance based on its orientation direction. Custom champagne-colored metal panel profiles provide architectural accents and trim throughout the building exterior."

Faussett noted that the building features 85,000 SF of metal panels and glass on the exterior, which, for perspective, is roughly equivalent to one and a half football fields. Also of note, the project used 1 acre of tile and 2,232 tons of steel.
Architectural Nexus’ team of architects and interior designers collaborated to produce another scintillating design, with stunning interior spaces meant to inspire hope within patients and their families. Nexus has been the architect on all five phases of Huntsman Cancer Institute, an impressive achievement spanning three decades. (photos courtesy Layton Construction)
Prioritizing Warm, Expansive Views
Substantial effort was undertaken to make the new center visually and aesthetically welcoming for patients and visitors alike.
"While the proximity of the mountains already creates a stunning backdrop to this impressive campus, this building stands out on its own with large quantities of glass and high-end finishes," said Todd Hardcastle, Construction Manager for Layton. "Rather than looking like a conventional hospital, the goal for Huntsman was to make patients feel more at home by prioritizing warmth and expansive views—more akin to a high-end hotel rather than a sterile facility."
Ramidan said the building's architecture, along with its elements, equipment and systems, was centered around promoting health and healing.
"The building site is immediately adjacent to the open federal lands, so every effort was made to provide views from the building and keep the building's occupants, especially patients, in contact with the natural environment," Ramidan said. "To further this concept, the design incorporates special central public spaces, in order to promote interaction with and views to the exterior mountains and valley.
"Outdoor spaces between buildings and the rooftop garden were designed with subtle barriers to create private spaces, while not feeling closed off, to give HCI employees and visitors places for respite, work breaks, and lunch," she added.
Something visitors will no doubt be inspired by the approximately 160 pieces of Native American art, representing the works of more than 25 indigenous peoples. These items include weavings, basketry, ceramics, jewelry, sculptures and carvings.
The extensive display of modern and contemporary art, said Beckerle, was made possible by Karen Huntsman, who along with her husband, Jon M. Huntsman, who established the Huntsman Cancer Institute in 1995 with a $100 million donation.
"The incorporation of American Indian art into the design is particularly noteworthy," said Beckerle. "Because Mrs. Huntsman made this gift of art so early in the process, the architects were able to design interior spaces to highlight the art in stunning ways with special cabinetry, mini-art displays between each inpatient room, and museum-quality glass cases."
Hardcastle said designers wanted the lobbies and waiting rooms to have a museum-quality vibe, rather than that of a typical hospital.
"These decisions were made with the patients in mind," he said. "They are the No. 1 priority, and we wanted to create a cancer center that made their visit and treatment as comfortable as possible.
Hardcastle said all the high-end finishes for the project were intended to create a home away from home for patients. These finishes included 21 tons of stone imported from India to the coffered wood ceilings and soft tones of custom woodwork throughout the facility.
'Everyone's Been Touched by Cancer'
The project's naming donors, Spencer and Kristen Kirk, bestowed the name of Spencer's mother, Kathryn Kirk, on the building. Beckerle said the Kirk family and many other donors were integral in the design process and the selection of the finishes, in harmony with the existing HCI buildings.
While noting that every project is special in its own right, those involved admitted that knowing this is not just a treatment facility but also a beacon of hope to those struggling with cancer, gave this one a little extra importance throughout.
"Everyone has been touched by cancer and there's no preparing for it when it hits," Hardcastle said. "Several of our own family members have had to receive care at this campus, and so there's a more personal connection when it comes to building a project like this and, ultimately, we want to build projects like this. […] For Huntsman in particular, we knew that this facility had been at capacity for a while, so there was a great deal of motivation among the team to get the project completed as soon as possible so more patients could receive care."
Faussett noted that his team met with donors on tours of the facility during construction and heard many stories of the excellent care their loved ones had received while at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. "It made it even more special to know that we were building a facility that will go on to treat and touch so many people."
Faussett related that a member of the Layton Construction team from another state was diagnosed with cancer and wasn't getting the care he needed at a facility where he lived.
"Thankfully, he was able to come up to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and find the care that he needed," Faussett said. "This instilled a new hope for him and his wife. He had to undergo a bone marrow transplant in the existing facility, and this brought everything close to home as we worked on the project and had bone marrow transplant patient rooms in our tower."
The Kathryn F. Kirk Center has wasted no time in getting up to speed in fulfilling its mission to help battle cancer.
"Every day, we are driven by a sense of purpose to eradicate cancer and deliver a cancer-free frontier," Beckerle said. "The major hospital expansion plays a crucial role in this mission by providing the resources and expertise needed to make this vision a reality."
New ParagraphKathryn F. Kirk Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Cost: $139.9 M
Delivery Method: CMAR
Stories/Levels: 10
Square Footage: 225,000
Design Team
Architect: Architectural Nexus
Civil Engineer: Psomas
Electrical Engineer: Spectrum Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: VBFA
Structural Engineer: Reaveley Engineers
Geotechnical Engineer: Atlas
Interior Design: Architectural Nexus
Construction Team
General Contractor: Layton Construction
Concrete: Layton Construction
Plumbing: Archer Mechanical
HVAC: Archer Mechanical; Western States Mechanical
Electrical: Copper Mountain Electrical
Masonry: IMS Masonry
Drywall: CSI Drywall
Painting: Grow Painting
Tile/Stone: Millcreek
Millwork: Masterpiece Millwork
Flooring: Spectra
Roofing: Superior Roofing
Exterior Glass/Curtain Wall: Steel Encounters
Interior Glass/Curtain Wall: Mollerup
Waterproofing: Guaranteed Waterproofing; Specialty Systems
Steel Fabrication: Sure Steel
Steel Erection: Sure Steel
Excavation: Reynolds Excavation
Demolition: Red Rock Demolition
Precast: IMS Masonry
Landscaping: Stratton & Bratt
Nathan Goodrich
Paul founded Paulsen Construction in 1925 after immigrating from Norway 16 years prior. Sprague Library in Sugar House was originally built by Paul, and then restored nearly 100 years later, led by current President John Paulsen.
West Valley City Veteran’s Memorial Expansion Owner: West Valley City Architect: EDA Architects GC: Okland Construction Estimated Completion Date: September 2025
Commercial office is not dead. The market is alive and well, according to the design pros at HB Workplaces team. Their new office and showroom in Draper, and what it has done for employees and clients, is a case in point. All it took was a change in scenery. Transitioning from the B'Nai Israel Temple, built in 1890, to a new space was a welcome change for the team. "I just remember working between 2015 and 2020, and it was just," Keilian Meyer trailed off as he described the former office, a historic religious building converted into an office and showroom in 1987. Minimal natural lighting, rooms and layouts misaligned for team needs—their space wasn't bringing out anyone's best work. Meyer, Marketing Director for HB Workplaces, said going to work didn't engender a sense of engagement. "It was kind of punch in and punch out." But everything coalesced with their move. "The timing aligned perfectly," Meyer said of the June 2024 move and their rebrand from the year before from Henriksen/Butler to HB Workplaces. Dual Purposes Come to Life It aligned with every real estate broker's favorite word: location. Planting the HB Workplaces flag in the award-winning Baltic Pointe made perfect sense, especially with its epicenter locale between the booming economies of Salt Lake and Utah counties. HB Workplaces CEO Dave Colling summed it all up succinctly: "Our new headquarters is not just another building; it's a statement of our appreciation and stewardship of design, built upon decades-long heritage of our own, along with MillerKnoll, underscoring our commitment to excellence." The mass timber ceilings in HB Workplaces' first-floor office in Baltic Pointe—the first of their kind for a commercial building in Utah—are part of that commitment. Everything seems warmer, healthier, and better under the all-lumber ceiling. "We've always been drawn to inspiring architecture, and the natural warmth and intentionality of this structure made it a natural fit," said Meyer. HB Workplaces sought to make their mass timber home a showpiece for the beautiful and wide-ranging possibilities of today's commercial interiors, serving as an office for the HB Workplaces team and a showroom for interior designers and architects looking to envision their next project. That dual nature comes through perfectly across the space, with the showroom piece especially highlighted in the "Living Room" and its 382 SF of mid-century modern glory. The unforgettable Eames Lounge chair catches the eye, but closer inspection reveals some nods to the B'Nai Israel Temple's stained glass windows and other homages to the deep histories of the Herman Miller and Knoll brands. The room's mid-century-style lounge chairs, couches, ottomans, and side tables—all MillerKnoll line, of course—combine with gentle lighting to create the perfect spot for hosting. Brit Badger, HB Workplaces' VP of Client Development, explained how the Living Room is ideal for getting to know their design partners and clients, especially for a first meeting. "It's not all the same seating everywhere, like it would be at a conference room," she explained of how the varied seating choices—the Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair is often first dibs—help to create a relaxed and comfortable environment. "It's cool to see who chooses what. It's a fun way to start."
Bragging about a “C+” might seem gauche, but Utah is one of only four states to earn that high a grade, according to the May 28 release by the Utah Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) of the 2025 Report Card for Utah’s Infrastructure. The cumulative “C+” for the Beehive State is the highest mark ever given by ASCE to any individual state—the report card itself spans 12 categories of infrastructure and is virtually unchanged from 2020 (ASCE issues report cards every four years). Utah's grade is also one step higher than the national infrastructure average grade of “C” in the ASCE 2025 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, which dropped in March. Roads (B+) and Bridges (B) remain the stars of the class, as the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) continues to receive consistent state funding in furthering its aggressive program of building new projects to meet ongoing demand, while diligently maintaining existing infrastructure. “Our transit and transportation are doing fabulous," said Anna Lisonbee, President of ASCE Utah and an Engineer-in-Training at South Jordan-based Hansen, Allen & Luce. “UDOT and UTA are lauded as some of the most efficient [organizations] nationwide, so we’re doing very well in that category.” Aviation infrastructure was the only category to see a grade increase—somewhat predictable given the sheer amount of capital investment made over the past decade at Salt Lake International Airport, Provo Airport, and other regional airports statewide. Three categories—bridges, s tormwater, and transit—saw grade decreases. The remaining eight categories held steady from 2020. "Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and state leaders have taken steps to ensure the reliability of infrastructure systems as more people move here to enjoy Utah's thriving communities, amazing outdoors, and high quality of life," said Craig Friant, Utah Civil Practice Lead for South Jordan-based Wilson & Company and Chair of the 2025 Report Card for Utah's Infrastructure. Utah grades per category: Roads: B+ Bridges: B Drinking Water, Solid Waste, Transit: B- Aviation, Dams, Hazardous Waste: C+ Stormwater, Wastewater: C Canals: D+ Levees: D-
"What gets you out of Egypt doesn't take you to the promised land." The quote, as I first heard it, came from Ron Dunn, Founder of Salt Lake structural engineering firm Dunn Associates. While he was talking about the differences between founding and growing a company, the same principle holds true in developing a robust transportation infrastructure. In other words: "What got us here will not take us there." What has taken us here has been development dedicated to personal vehicles and last-mile freight—a stellar network of roads and highways from massive investments in horizontal construction. But what will get us "there" to the promised land? What will bring us to a future where Utahns can have the freedom to move without a car? Unified Plan for a Connected Utah? We'll certainly wander in the West Desert without a plan. Lucky us, we have hundreds of agreed-upon proposals across metropolitan planning organizations, cities and towns, counties, and even the Utah Department of Transportation. The Beehive State's guiding document toward long-term transportation plans, whether for cars or not, is found in the Utah Unified Transportation Plan, also known as the Unified Plan. The visionary document aims to prioritize funding across multiple transportation options and give residents choices, ranging from personal vehicles to mass transit and active transportation. Residents and metropolitan planning organizations across the state have added their input to further unify the state's trajectory. Key in Utah's Unified Plan, as documented, is analyzing and ultimately determining how transportation projects in Utah should be funded between 2023 - 2050. With projected needs across that timeline estimated at $153 billion in today's dollars, current revenue sources generating just under a projected $95 billion, and future revenue streams projected to generate just over $18 billion, we're going to be short. But where is that money going? Most often, it's funding roads. According to the Unified Plan, transportation needs from road capacity, maintenance, preservation, and operations project at a whopping $110 billion between 2023 - 2050, with a $29 billion funding gap in revenue. Funding future mass transit capacity ($14.8 billion) and operations ($19.8 billion) over the next 25 years costs a fraction of the projected costs for roads and highways. It's an apples-to-oranges comparison, admittedly, as massive funding for highways and freeways has created so much, but where do state priorities lead? Budget at a Glance Utah continues to tread the asphalt and concrete highway to prioritize highway funding. UDOT's FY2026 funding document shows $2.5 billion in funding. Estimated Transportation Investment Fund (TIF) expenditures, primarily used for improving or optimizing capacity, are projected at $1.2 billion. Within the TIF, Class B & Class C Roads, county roads and city streets, respectively, will receive $261 million, Highway Systems Construction $205 million, and Operations/Maintenance $254 million. It makes sense when $883 million in projected revenue for FY2026 comes from user-based fees, permits, and gas tax revenues (set to be 40 cents per gallon in 2026). On the other hand, UDOT-funded mass transit receives a bulk of its budget from the above-mentioned Transportation Investment Fund—35% of the index fuel tax sales tax goes into the Transit Transportation Investment Fund. For FY2026, transit and commuter rail projects will receive $103 million. John Gleason, UDOT's Sr. Public Information Officer, said there is a major shift happening within UDOT over the last decade-plus to give some "gas" to other forms of transportation. "All transportation is important to us. For every project we undertake, we are looking at the different components across all modes—cars, transit, bikes, trails," Gleason said. "We need to keep an eye on how the entire transportation system can function across the state." The words and shift in priorities are welcome, but what "Keeps Utah Moving", will not be more highway lanes or highway construction that receives the lion's share of transportation funding. Utah highways, like those in so many other states, are the victims of induced demand. The phenomenon is a matter of economics. For vehicle transportation, each lane added, highway developed, or road widened helps to expand capacity on these newly modified transportation corridors. However, expanding capacity does not mean solving traffic concerns. While capacity expands, more people are "induced" to use these freshly expanded corridors, lanes fill back to capacity, and commutes return to their sluggish nature. This never-ending quest to meet our transportation needs is set to play out again on I-15. UDOT is set to add another lane on I-15 from Farmington to Salt Lake, and do so at a multi-billion-dollar price tag. Surely this lane will be "The One" that fixes the traffic problem on Utah's busiest transit corridor? Utah may still be adjusting to roundabouts, but will we ever get out of this circle?
Standing atop the now-tallest building in Utah—the dynamic 451-foot, 680,000-SF Astra Tower in downtown Salt Lake City—Lance Shields was succinct in describing the otherworldly, 360-degree views available from the 41st-floor rooftop patio. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” mused Shields, a Principal with Salt Lake-based HKS Architects and one of a half-dozen architects on HKS’ team who contributed to the design of Astra Tower, which features 377 total units, two levels of penthouse suites, and more than 40,000-SF of top-shelf amenity space. Peering southeast to majestic views of the Wasatch Mountains, Shields referenced the striking cantilever structure gracing the building’s southeast corner—a concession that preserved the breathtaking view by eliminating what would have been a structural column. Adding this approximately $2 million change to the bottom line only further illustrated the owner’s desire for a world-class luxury apartment tower. “The uninterrupted views of the valley are really breathtaking at the top floor and is the one thing that visitors I have taken through the project consistently comment on as the best experience they have had,” said Shields, adding that it would have been easy to justify a column in that corner. “I have to hand it to the vision of our team and the owner to see the value of the views and taking steps to preserve it.” Indeed, Boston-headquartered Kensington Investment Company (KIC) had been eyeing the Salt Lake market since 2017, ready to make a splash. In 2018, it purchased the site once home to Carl’s Jr. and hired HKS in 2019 to get the ball rolling on the design side. The pandemic forced KIC to pause its timeline, with construction formally kicking off in January 2022, led by Salt Lake-based Jacobsen Construction. “We were taking an enormous risk and writing a massive check while making sure we had as many people with experience on our team as we practically could,” said Ed Lewis, CEO of KIC. “We asked ourselves if Salt Lake City was ready for this kind of product—with no [like-building comparisons] to look to—while making the project financially successful. Putting together the capital stack with no comps in the state, and ensuring the team knew what they were doing, was challenging.” Engagement with the community was a priority from the start, said Shane Rensmon, President of Real Estate Development for KIC, as was finding local A/E/C firms with the moxie to take on a unique hybrid design-build project of this magnitude, a delivery method “not common in Salt Lake City, but common across major markets,” he said. “Ownership wanted to utilize local consultants and vendors as much as possible to get the community involved and engaged with the project, which presented new challenges in designing and constructing Astra Tower,” said Rensmon. “We leveraged [KIC’s] skills and experiences to help guide the design and construction teams on issues that they have not seen before or had little to no experience in.” Hotel-like Vibe with Unmatched Amenities Emir Tursic is no stranger to massive projects, having cut his teeth in the hospitality realm as a draftsman-turned-project architect for HKS on Block A of the enormous $10 billion MGM City Center project in Las Vegas from 2007-2008, which included the 61-story, 600,000-SF Aria Hotel. “It was a project I grew up very quickly with,” recalled Tursic, Office Director for HKS’ Salt Lake office, who ended up managing part of the project before it ended. “After this, I could go to the moon and not be scared of anything.” Even amidst the challenges for Tursic and his team, Astra Tower proved to be one of the most exciting, generational opportunities in the realm of world-class residential high-rise design that—ho-hum—also sets a record as the state’s tallest-ever building. “We wanted to create a sustainable urban community that focuses on wellness and sustainability,” said Tursic. “Sustainability is not just about energy and carbon footprint, it’s also [about] health and wellness and the environment. We have this huge amenity program—40,000 SF of indoor and outdoor amenities space focused on physical and mental health.” Tursic said dispersing major amenities across three building levels was a key functional design consideration. Level 8 kicks things off with an expansive club lounge that includes a demonstration kitchen and entertainment area, a state-of-the-art fitness center where views overlook Gallivan Plaza, a remote office space with a conference room and meeting rooms, and what Tursic calls “The bonus space”—an expansive 10,000 SF outdoor urban park. “Instead of a roof on top of the eight-story parking structure, we created a space with an outdoor lawn, hammocks, fire pits, grills—it’s a great social space for Astra’s residential community,” he said. Level 23 includes the outdoor pool and indoor spa, highlighted by a wellness center, steam room, sauna, recovery spas, treatment rooms, and private locker rooms. The pool deck overlook offers excellent views of the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Level 41 tops the amenity spaces—literally—with an outdoor kitchen, entertainment area, and a spacious outdoor viewing deck that looks down on Salt Lake’s adjacent tallest buildings. “We wanted to provide a variety of experiences,” said Tursic. “The 41st floor is meant for quiet and solitude.” ROAM Interior Design of Los Angeles provided interior design on every level. "With Astra Tower, we set out to design interiors that reflect both the soul and natural beauty of Utah, infused with the energy of modern city living," said Deanne Teeter, Design Director at ROAM. “Every amenity—from the tranquil spa on the 23rd floor to the rooftop lounge with panoramic views—is intentionally crafted to foster wellness through biophilic connection and a true sense of home in the sky." “Astra Tower was purposefully designed to exemplify KIC's commitment to o perating market-leading apartment buildings, featuring state-of-the-art amenities and an unwavering dedication to service excellence,” said Joe Bird, Vice President of Real Estate Development for KIC. “This intentional design ensures an unparalleled living experience, blending sophisticated facilities with exceptional resident-focused service to set a new standard for urban residential excellence in Utah.”
Ralph L. Wadsworth watches demolition activity on the I-80/1300 East Bridge Slide in August 2023 with granddaughter, Bradynn Wadsworth (Tod’s daughter), illustrating his genuine passion for construction. (all photos courtesy RLW Construction)
First. Best. Leader. These are some of the many positive ways people described the late Marshall White, the civic hero and namesake of Ogden's past and future community centers. Marshall White is remembered as the first black police officer in Utah killed in the line of duty after being fatally shot in 1963. Equally important was his dedication to other causes outside of police work: the loving father of seven children; veteran and military doctor who helped establish a clinic at Hill Air Force Base post-WWII; youth mentor who partnered with the Elk's Club to establish the Wall Avenue Recreation Center; President of the Ogden chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Marshall White embodied community, and the original Marshall White Community Center, constructed five years after he died in 1968, was its physical manifestation. The building became a safe haven for youth, especially those with darker skin and different ethnicities from those of Utah "pioneer" ancestry, to learn to swim, take art classes, and participate in sports. But as time passed, the building fell into disrepair as Ogden's population shrank from the 1970s through the 1980s. Structural issues in the building appeared before a crack in the pool grew into a metaphorical chasm as COVID and its effects further disconnected society. Ogden needed champions who would follow in White's footsteps to bring people together, and create a space that would continue his community-building legacy. New Center; Relit Community Beacon Salt Lake-based VCBO was hired in 2020 to evaluate the old facility and propose future alternatives. It began, as VCBO Principal Brent Tippets described, "to replace a failing pool and building. […] It quickly became apparent that this community revolved around the Marshall N. White Community Center as both a gathering space and a historical icon for all minorities and people of humble circumstances." "Budget is always a challenge, but perhaps meeting all the affected parties' expectations was more so," said Tippets. "What was originally a pool and gymnasium replacement became a versatile destination with a plethora of participation options. He and the VCBO team worked with an Ogden City-appointed steering committee of passionate residents who provided valuable input on the importance and utilization of recreation and community spaces. "The Mayor, City Council, and City administration were committed to funding the project at the required level to achieve the grander vision for the facility," said Tippets. The Ogden City Council initially set aside $18 million and later increased the budget to $32 million for a new, 68,900-SF community building, doubling the size of the previous structure. Construction Challenges But challenges arose as soon as excavation commenced. Construction teams led by Vernal-based BHI encountered a dark, organic-looking soil that was previously undiscovered in geotechnical test borings. The surprise soil raised immediate concerns due to its lack of stability and reliability in compaction. BHI's history as an industrial contractor, where safety and lightning-fast communication are treasured, escalated the soil problems immediately. They collaborated and aligned with ownership, geotechnical engineers, and designers amidst evolving conditions to create a plan. Instead of utilizing native soils as initially planned, excavation teams removed the unsuitable material and imported structural fill from Ogden and nearby Plain City to meet compaction and bearing requirements, all while maintaining oh-so-important project momentum. "Working with Ogden City involved a different set of communication and coordination protocols than our typical projects," said BHI Superintendent Scot Marrot. "There was a greater emphasis on public transparency and adherence to specific city regulations. However, it was incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with the city officials who were passionate about providing a valuable resource for their community. The partnership fostered a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in the final outcome."
Thoughtful consideration on Oquirrh Lake transformed the initial idea for the water feature into a community and ecological asset. The 67-acre lake weaves around the 130-acre recreation space, residential area, and wildlife habitat. (Main rendering and photo pictured courtesy LHM)
