The Sorenson Unity Center was conceived as a win-win solution to a
dispute between the LDS Church and Salt Lake City over public easement
on the Church-owned section of Salt Lake City's downtown Main Street.
The agreement exchanged the City's easement for the two acres of land
where the Sorenson Unity Center now offers a variety of amenities to the
previously under-served Glendale community.
The multi-functional Center includes recreation spaces for aerobics and
weight-lifting with locker rooms; three continuing education classrooms;
a computer laboratory center where after-school programs focus on
developing computer skills; a performing arts theater; a gallery
lobby/reception area; and drop-in daycare. The Unity Center is also the
new home to Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, a walk-in clinic that
provides dental treatment for those without access to dental care.
The Unity Center meets Salt Lake City's sustainable design goals with a
Silver level of LEED certification. The design solution included
high-recycled content construction materials, abundant natural lighting,
innovative systems controls with automatic occupancy sensors that power
down unoccupied spaces, drought tolerant landscaping, and features that
encourage alternative modes of transportation.
The Glendale community is proud of the Sorensen Unity Center's
attractive appearance and energy-efficient design, and happy to put its
resources for respite, recreation, self-improvement, and health to good
use.
The Sorenson Unity Center in Salt Lake City's Glendale district was
conceived as a win-win solution to a dispute between the LDS Church and
Salt Lake City over public easement on the Church-owned section of Salt
Lake City's downtown Main Street. The agreement exchanged the City's
easement for the two acres of land where the Sorenson Unity Center now
serves the Glendale community.
The Unity Center has recreation spaces for aerobics and weight-lifting
with locker rooms; three continuing education classrooms; a computer
laboratory center where after-school programs focus on developing
computer skills; a performing arts theater; a gallery lobby/reception
area; and drop-in daycare. The Unity Center is also the new home to Salt
Lake Donated Dental Services, a walk-in clinic that provides dental
treatment for those without access to dental care.
The Unity Center meets Salt Lake City's sustainable design goals with a
Silver level of LEED certification. LEED objectives were met through the
use of high-recycled content construction materials, ambient light
provided by skylights with built-in light sensors that automatically
shut down electric lighting when natural light is sufficient, carpooling
parking spaces, bicycle racks, and innovative systems controls with
automatic occupancy sensors that power down unoccupied spaces, saving
energy and maximizing the building's efficiency. Eye-catching, drought
tolerant landscaping is another part of the sustainability solution.
The Sorensen Unity Center?s attractive appearance and multi-functional
suite of services gives the Glendale community a source of pride, as
well as a variety of excellent resources for respite, recreation, and
useful public services. The Unity Center truly embodies the ability of
people to come together in the common purpose of community.