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Tony Semerad

Real estate reporter

Tony covers growth and development issues for The Tribune. He is a former editor and politics reporter and has been with The Tribune since 1991.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Republican incumbents at the Utah Capitol were behind in races across the state.

As Utah continues counting votes, Democrats are on the path to flip seats in GOP-dominated Legislature

By Emily R. Anderson | Tony Semerad | November 4, 2026, 8:03 p.m.

(Intermountain Health) A rendering of Intermountain Health's planned Salt Lake City hospital as viewed from the southwest and above. City planners are pushing back on elements of the latest proposed design.

SLC wants a new hospital to welcome pedestrians. Its designers fear retail spaces might also invite security threats.

By Tony Semerad | October 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Lowe Property Group) Initial renderings of a 325-unit apartment project to be known as Sugargrove, proposed for the old Snelgrove Ice Cream Plant site along 2100 South in Salt Lake City's Sugar House neighborhood.

New housing planned for the long-empty Snelgrove Ice Cream site in Sugar House. What’ll happen to the iconic sign?

By Tony Semerad | October 28, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Smith's Ballpark is pictured in the Ballpark neighborhood of Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.

SLC Council votes to preserve green space at Ballpark site after input from residents

By Tony Semerad | October 26, 2026, 2:24 p.m.

(Salt Lake City Public Library) Conceptual rendering of a renovated Day-Riverside Branch in Salt Lake City's Rose Park that could be a part of a proposed $85 million bond, tentatively to be issued in 2028.

Some of SLC’s favorite libraries could see major upgrades — but can residents afford it all?

By Tony Semerad | October 25, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Existing residential properties in Salt Lake City neighborhoods, including Yalecrest, could soon be eligible for new smaller backyard dwellings, under new zoning rules being vetted at City Hall.

SLC dials back sweeping zoning changes meant to add density to residential neighborhoods

By Tony Semerad | October 22, 2026, 12:15 p.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

Utah House District 43: Steve Eliason faces off against Ofa Matagi

By Tony Semerad | October 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

(Campaign photos) Grant Miller, left, and Braeden Oswald, candidates for the 2026 House District 24 election.

Utah House District 24: Incumbent Grant Amjad Miller faces challenger Braeden J. Oswald

By Tony Semerad | October 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

Utah House District 31: Incumbent Verona Mauga faces challenger Melody Jones

By Tony Semerad | October 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

(Campaign photos) From left: Cabot Nelson, Hoang Nguyen, and Franklin Robinson, candidates for the 2026 House District 23 election.

Utah House District 23: Incumbent Hoang Nguyen faces challengers Franklin D. Robinson and Cabot W. Nelson

By Tony Semerad | October 13, 2026, 2:59 p.m.

(Campaign photos) David Chappell, left, and Norm Thurston, candidates for the 2026 House District 62 election.

Utah House District 62: Incumbent Norm Thurston faces challenger David Chappell

By Tony Semerad | October 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

(Campaign photos) Julie Smith, left, and Stephen L. Whyte, candidates for the 2026 House District 63 election.

Utah House District 63: Stephen L. Whyte faces off against Mark Youngquist and Julie Smith

By Tony Semerad | October 12, 2026, 8:00 a.m.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Hall. The City Council has approved dramatic increases to utility impact fees.

Fees will triple for developers. How might that impact Salt Lake City homeowners and renters?

By Tony Semerad | October 8, 2026, 5:47 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Plans for Liberty Park's future could take up to 10 years to become a reality and cost more than $40 million.

Liberty Park has pricey upgrades on the horizon. One idea to make them a reality: corporate naming rights.

By Tony Semerad | October 5, 2026, 7:09 p.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Detective Mike Ruff talks about the Real-Time Crime Center at the Salt Lake City Police Department on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.

Police drones buzzing across SLC feed a new high-tech crime center. The picture threatens to ‘flip’ civil liberties, a key group says.

By Tony Semerad | October 2, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah's capital is weighing new rules that would allow the construction of more small homes in residential neighborhoods.

SLC planners OK smaller backyard homes across the city, but it’s not a done deal yet

By Tony Semerad | September 25, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A sinkhole is seen on 500 South in the Poplar Grove neighborhood following a water main break that caused extensive flooding, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.

SLC residents whose homes were swamped by summer water line break get a hand from City Hall. Some hope it’s ‘just a start.’

By Tony Semerad | September 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The downtown parking lot between West Temple and Main Street and 400 South and 500 South in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.

A mini-city, green space or something else? Here’s what you said that huge SLC parking lot should be.

By Tony Semerad | September 22, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) The downtown parking lot between West Temple and Main Street and 400 South and 500 South in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026.

From historic hotel to concert venue to huge parking lot — what might the future hold for this blank slate in downtown SLC?

By Tony Semerad | September 20, 2026, 12:00 p.m.

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Council Chair Alejandro Puy said someone went to his home uninvited and put up signs opposing license plate readers. Other council members reported similar incidents.

Salt Lake City Council members face intimidation at their doorsteps over Flock-like cameras

By Tony Semerad | September 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m.