This west-side neighborhood is about to trade a grimy tire recycler - for years it coated cars with rubber residue - for a cardboard manufacturer that services Starbucks and is committed to building green.

Residents can thank Utah Paperbox, which is making a $2 million commitment toward building an environmentally friendly operation on the old tire plant site at 959 S. 800 West.

Demolition began earlier this month for a 70,000-square-foot building that will create 40 jobs, Paperbox executives say, as well as cleanse the area with an energy-efficient edifice.

"The mayor's office and the RDA were very anxious to get them to move," said Paul Ballard Keyser, president of Utah Paperbox (UPB). "They were a major nuisance in the neighborhood so this worked out for everybody."

The tire recycler has relocated to an enclosed structure in the capital's industrial area.

Keyser notes the move will come in two phases. By year's end, the company's two North Salt Lake operations will move to Glendale. In roughly four years, the heavy presses that are located just east of The Gateway between 100 South and 200 South also will relocate - meaning all UPB manufacturing eventually will be under one roof.

Instead of supplying the plant by truck, it soon can be done by a forklift next door, Keyser said.

"We're heading toward using as little energy as possible."

Consider: The roof trusses from the old building will be reused, while all block and asphalt will be recycled. Inside, the 70,000-square-foot edifice will include energy-efficient walls; all hot water will be on demand; warehouse lights will be on motion sensors; heating will be radiant; and canopies will be used to save air-conditioning costs.

Skylights - each one is designed to follow the sun and replaces 1,000 watts of regular lighting - will provide virtual daylight. Keyser says a 30 percent reduction in energy at the new location is a "conservative" estimate.

When the move is complete, UPB and its 210 employees will operate three connected buildings covering 8.5 acres in Glendale.

Launched in 1914 and now in its fourth generation, the family business focuses much of its production on folding cartons. While UPB initially serviced candy manufacturers such as Sweet and Maxfield, it has transitioned toward coffee behemoth Starbucks.

Keyser says the company will hold on to its parcel at 340 W. 200 South because the property value is likely to spike with the new TRAX connection nearby.

But developer Richard Gordon, who is erecting lofts on the block, has the right of first refusal for the property. Gordon envisions carving the block with new streets when Paperbox moves, and adding more residential, restaurants and retail.

"The transformation is going to happen, but I don't think it's going to be overnight," said Steve Keyser, UPB's vice president of sales. "The neighborhood has changed greatly, but it's got a ways to go."

Still, the family agrees the status quo could not last.

"It's obviously getting to be an expensive piece of land to build boxes on," Phil Keyser said.

Given the green elements, downtown's loss could be Glendale's gain.

djensen@sltrib.com

On the Web

Image of new building rendering available on Utah Paperbox Web site www.upbslc.com (click on "new building information" in upper right corner).