SALT LAKE CITY — New details have been released about a proposed sports and entertainment district in downtown Salt Lake City that will be home to the Utah Jazz and the Utah Jazz. New NHL team in state.
Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which owns the Jazz and NHL teams, is proposing to dedicate about 100 acres of land around Delta Center to the district.
“This is one of those things that will forever change the face of our city,” Salt Lake City Council President Victoria Petro said. She said: “We don't want to leave a scar on the city, we want it to be reborn.”
The district aims to provide sports for the area as well as restaurants and bars that will enhance the downtown experience.
In its application, SEG wants to significantly renovate the arena to expand hockey and basketball capacity, while also adding retail, hospitality, housing and parking.
“I remember when we built City Creek Center, which led to the Eccles Theater and a number of residential towers, office towers and many other downtown improvements,” said Downtown Alliance Executive Director. Dee Brewer explained. “This investment in the entertainment district will create additional investment and new opportunities for residents, workers and visitors alike.”
The revitalization zone could be funded by a 0.5% sales tax increase in Salt Lake City, which has already been criticized.
“There's a lot of skepticism,” Petro admits. “This is a difficult time in history. Average people are struggling to pay for groceries, but we are not taking anything for granted. Increase the General Fund and increase people's experiences. “We don't spend a penny in a way that we don't use it for.” These are the people who call Salt Lake home. ”
“The city anticipates that Salt Lake County and the state of Utah, as well as city taxpayers, will have different needs and capabilities to contribute to the project,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement. Ta.
The application also proposes zoning changes, including the removal of some building height restrictions. However, there are still many details to consider.
“After seeing deposits of 29,000 for season tickets and a packed arena, we are optimistic that doing this right will pay dividends,” Petro added. “However, there is nothing close to specific at this time that allows us to say how we feel about this application.”
The application process will move forward at Tuesday's council meeting, where SEG will face questions from council members seeking further details and answers.