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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson are among the list of a dozen people who signed a letter supporting Smith Entertainment Group's downtown Salt Lake City "reimagination" efforts.
Smith Entertainment Group executive Mike Maughan, who has been tasked with overseeing the company's efforts to build a "sports, entertainment, culture and convention district," referenced the letter during a Salt Lake City Council public hearing that lasted well over two hours Tuesday night.
It states that there is a "unique moment in time" where multiple state sectors can come together on a "shared commitment to reimagining downtown Salt Lake City" for the future.
"This project is an unparalleled opportunity to leverage Salt Lake City's reputation as an iconic cultural gathering place — fostering unity for all Utahns and visitors from across the world. ... We fully support the goal of reimagining and optimizing downtown Salt Lake City," the letter states, in part. "It is an incredible place and we have a chance to create an even more inspiring, compelling, connected and successful downtown core where people come to live, work, meet and play."
Other notable signers include Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, who sponsored SB272, the bill that the Utah Legislature passed this year that set up a revitalization zone surrounding the Delta Center. A few other Utah lawmakers also signed the letter, as did professional golfer Tony Finau, a Salt Lake native, and several local business owners and developers.
Steve Brosvik, president & CEO of the Utah Symphony, signed the letter, too. The symphony is housed in Abravenel Hall, a 45-year-old concert hall at the center of questions about the overall plan. Residents have spent the past few weeks working to preserve the building.
The full list was posted on a new website the company launched that will be used to keep residents informed on project updates.
New project details
The website also includes some answers to questions about the project.
Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz and Utah National Hockey League team, said last month that his goal is to renovate the Delta Center to better accommodate hockey and build an entertainment district surrounding the arena, mirroring a popular trend within new professional sports arenas.
Some clues about the plan have emerged from public meetings and city zoning amendments since then.
The company writes that development plans aren't finalized yet, so it's too early to know what type of impact the project would have on existing businesses. It also writes that the "final numbers are being determined on the remodel of Delta Center," so the cost is unclear too.
Maughan previously explained that Smith Entertainment Group expects that a proposed 0.5% citywide sales tax increase — a provision included in SB272 — will generate $1.2 billion toward project funding, $900 million of which would go to Smith for construction.
The company writes that some taxpayer dollars would go toward arena improvements, should the Salt Lake City Council approve the tax increase, but it doesn't expect that the $900 million will go solely to the arena. The money would also go toward "investment across the entire district and help support major projects in the culture, convention and entertainment areas."
That's on top of the $3 billion that the Smith Entertainment Group plans to pour into the district, though it's unclear how that money would be used.
Should the tax revenue projection come to fruition, the company writes that the remaining $300 million would be "dedicated solely to the culture and convention portion of the district."
A public process
Dozens of residents provided all sorts of differing opinions during Tuesday night's public hearing. The City Council tallied more either in support of the plan or at least in support as long as certain properties — like Abravanel Hall, historic Japantown and Utah Museum of Contemporary Art — are protected, or certain conditions like affordable housing or additional projects are included.
Some were directly wary of the plan or the idea of providing taxpayer dollars toward the project.
"You know what my dad taught me? If it sounds too good to be true, it's probably not true," said Julie Easton Gregerson, of Sugar House, after referencing Smith's vision for the area and calling it unclear for residents.
The Salt Lake City Council will hold at least one more public hearing before it votes whether to partner with Smith Entertainment Group on a zone. The City Council voted to continue the hearing to a later date.
City leaders have until Sept. 1 to reach an agreement, per SB272. They have until the end of the year to approve any sales taxes.
Smith Entertainment Group writes that any land use decisions require "public input and public meetings." The website includes a feedback section for people to leave questions and comments on the plan.
