Just over a year out from Utah’s biggest tourist event since the 2002 Winter Olympics — no, not the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship — the puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is planning to host millions of visitors at Temple Square over a six-month period next year as it reopens the pioneer-era Salt Lake Temple. To do so, church leaders asked Salt Lake City to close portions of surrounding streets from March 2027 to October 2027 to handle the crowds.

On Tuesday, City Council members formally agreed — unanimously — to block off portions of North, South, and West Temple during the event despite vigorous debate over the traffic implications of such a move.

Residents of neighborhoods north of downtown, like Capitol Hill and Marmalade, were particularly vocal in their concerns about parking and access to the rest of the city.

“I know what a huge ask this is and how disruptive this potentially is,” council member Chris Wharton, who represents the area, said at Tuesday’s meeting. “I know what it represents to me personally and my family. … We’ve got a year to prepare for this.”

City officials have said the closures will help keep downtown visitors safe and manage entry to the square.

The Utah-based faith is set to pay the city $2.3 million to lease the roads, making them open to pedestrian access during the temple’s open house. The church will also offer free Utah Transit Authority passes to its downtown workers and those visiting Temple Square. Working from home, for some of the church’s employees, will be encouraged, too.

Wharton also said that the city would designate “point people” soon to help answer residents’ questions about the street closures and reduce travel disruptions.

Council Chair Alejandro Puy praised Wharton for his work on the issue.

“Thank you for channeling the thoughts of the community,” Puy said, “and trying to make good concessions with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”