Utah lawmakers OK plans for downtown sports district
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Salt Lake City is inching closer to welcoming a new sports and entertainment district downtown.
Driving the news: A four-member legislative committee on Tuesday unanimously approved Salt Lake City and Smith Entertainment Group's (SEG) project area and participation agreement to keep the Utah Jazz and the new Utah Hockey Club in the state's capital.
- Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson told the committee members the county's main goal is to "keep the [Utah] Jazz downtown and add hockey into perpetuity."
The big picture: Reducing homelessness, increasing public safety downtown and preserving Abravanel Hall were the main concerns brought up by the Revitalization Zone Committee.
- Mike Maughan, Smith Entertainment Group executive, told legislators county and SEG architects are collaborating on plans that "preserve Abravanel Hall in its current form."
- County estimates show rehabilitating the 45-year-old concert hall will cost at least $199 million.
- Rachel Otto, the Salt Lake City mayor's chief of staff, said the city has made headways in reducing violent and property crimes. However, she acknowledged there's still work to be done on tackling homelessness, pointing to "serious constraints in the system."
Context: The agreement follows SEG buying the Arizona Coyotes this year, kicking off a whirlwind of talks, planning, and legislation to welcome a new professional sports franchise.
Follow the money: The proposal seeks to impose a 0.5% citywide sales tax increase collected over the next 30 years to pay for the Delta Center renovations to host both sports teams. The maximum SEG can receive is $900 million.
What's next: The Salt Lake City Council has until Dec. 31 to vote on the deal and sales tax hike.