Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — A project to reimagine the Smith's Ballpark site received a major gift Thursday from the philanthropic arm of the tenants slated to move out of the venue.
The Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation announced it will send $22 million to Salt Lake City's Ballpark Next fund, as a part of an overall investment to the Ballpark community that Gail Miller pledged last year.
"The Miller family and the Larry H. Miller Company have a deep history with and confidence in Salt Lake City and are committed to Ballpark Next and the bright future of our capital city," Don Stirling, the foundation's executive director, said in a statement.
The announcement comes a year after the foundation announced a $100 million fundraising partnership with the city to raise funds for the Ballpark community, along with Zions Bank and Intermountain Health.
"We invite all to join us in the exciting and energizing Ballpark Next project to help raise $100 million to support human-centered, place-based development and enrichment in the area," Stirling added.
Salt Lake City's project launched the same day the Miller Company, owner of the Salt Lake Bees, announced it would build a new stadium on land it owns in South Jordan's Daybreak community. The team is slated to move out at the end of this season, but that is now up in the air.
The Oakland Athletics toured the Daybreak construction site last month during a tour of possible temporary venues it could play in before its new home in Las Vegas is completed. If the A's choose the venue, the Bees will continue to play at Smith's Ballpark through 2027.
Nevertheless, Salt Lake City is moving forward with a permanent plan for the ballpark. The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City is working to create a design consultant team in the coming months to help create a clear picture of the site's future.
In her State of the City speech Tuesday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the project will strive to add "thoughtful programming" to activate the neighborhood as it changes. She said Thursday she's appreciative of the new funding the project received.
"Positive momentum and generational opportunities are arising from our intentional action and strength in partnership," she said in a statement. "We gathered hundreds of comments from neighbors and stakeholders that informed strong guiding principles, which will serve as the backbone of our land use strategies. This collaborative public-private partnership will truly lift the entire community."
