Tuesday night marks the first dedicated chance the public will have to review and weigh in a nebulous plan to transform downtown Salt Lake City with a multibillion-dollar sports and entertainment district.
The City Council is slated to host a public hearing on the proposed district during its 7 p.m. formal meeting. Here’s how to participate. You can also check out our guide for public input on the massive project.
The meeting is scheduled to be streamed at the link below.
Council members are weighing a half-a-percentage-point sales tax increase citywide that Smith Entertainment Group, owner of the Utah Jazz and a newly acquired National Hockey League franchise, wants to tap to develop a swath of land near the Delta Center into a year-round hive of activity.
A final vote from the council is tentatively scheduled for July 2.
Smith Entertainment Group has committed to putting at least $3 billion of its own money into the district, which is proposed to primarily occupy two blocks east of the arena. The group said it would be able to access up to $900 million from the additional sales tax revenue if the council approves the tax hike.
The proposed location of the district has stoked fears about the future of Salt Lake County-owned and operated Abravanel Hall. The entertainment group has previously said it wants the concert hall to remain “on-site,” adding that it could either be renovated or rebuilt.
Last week, county Mayor Jenny Wilson said she wants the 45-year-old venue to stay put. An online petition calling to preserve the storied performance hall has received more than 35,000 signatures.
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