The Democrat wants to snag sales taxes from downtown merchants and pump them into a performing-arts center with enough seating and stage to lure Broadway blockbusters like "Wicked" and "The Lion King."
"Wicked" passed over Salt Lake City last year in favor of larger venues, but now is booked for Capitol Theatre's 2008-09 season.
Hatch pitched the idea Monday to the Downtown Alliance. He urged the creation of a so-called Community Development Area that would divert new sales taxes - dollars generated because of new growth - into a cultural district, including a 2,400-seat theater.
While the proposal would put less cash into city, county and state coffers, Hatch described the contribution as voluntary. He said governments would have to "opt into" the taxing district.
The councilman believes a Broadway-style theater and perhaps a film center would add an economic buzz to the Beehive State. He said foot traffic, hotel stays and restaurant patronage inevitably would increase.
"There is clearly a demand for this in downtown Salt Lake," he said.
The city's Downtown Alliance remained lukewarm to Hatch's proposal. While financing is a "front-burner" topic for the organization, Executive Director Bob Farrington characterized Hatch's idea as one of several options the alliance must investigate.
"That is something that needs to be looked at in more detail," he said.
Hatch's proposal comes almost a year-and-a-half after the Chicago-based convention, sports and entertainment facilities firm HVS recommended building a large-scale theater and three "black-box" venues similar to those at Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
The report also suggested renovating the mothballed Utah Theatre and expanding downtown's Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall and Rose Wagner.
Trouble is, funding sources have dried up, Hatch said.
The Zoo, Arts and Parks fund is overspent, and the state has diverted hotel taxes to Real Salt Lake's Sandy stadium. That leaves art aficionados such as Hatch chasing cash elsewhere.
The county councilman hasn't yet presented his idea to city, county or state leaders. According to Hatch, he has to sell the idea first to downtowners.
jstettler@sltrib.com
