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As with any vibrant, progressive community, the Salt Lake region benefits immensely from the many cultural opportunities available in the capital city. The Symphony and Opera, various theaters and other arts and performing groups help define who we are.
It is why residents should take great interest in a new market study that recommends renovating the Capitol Theater, turning the old Utah Theater into an 800 seat mid-size facility and building a new 2,400 seat theater in the downtown area. Also recommended is the development of several small black box theaters and "other cultural assets in a close geographic area."
The study by HVS International based in Chicago concludes there is sufficient market demand for developing such a centralized downtown cultural district.
The study's conclusions are intriguing, but they also fall short.
As the consultants clearly state, their study "does not provide an analysis of the potential or likely effects the new theaters will have on existing performing arts venues located throughout the Salt Lake market."
In KSL's view, such a significant flaw in the study must not be overlooked. Indeed, it is absolutely essential to understand the impact a downtown arts district would have on the broader cultural community before making too much of the HVS International study.
