This year, Salt Lake City successfully formulated an ambitious downtown redevelopment strategy aimed at welcoming its new professional hockey team, simultaneously ensuring that local communities reap substantial benefits from this transformation. One might assume that establishing a similar framework for a potential new pro baseball team would pose fewer challenges.
However, the situation is considerably more complex. Currently, there is no baseball team designated for Salt Lake City, and any Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion decision is not anticipated for another approximately five years. Compounding the issue is the fact that the city lacks direct authority over taxation and significant planning decisions affecting the new district planned for the Fairpark neighborhood.
Nevertheless, Salt Lake City does have the opportunity to influence some elements of the development, particularly through zoning agreements that could prioritize affordable housing and commercial interests. This collaboration hinges on the City Council reaching an agreement with the Larry H. Miller Company — which has submitted its proposal for an MLB team in Utah — by the end of 2024.
The passage of House Bill 562 during the latest legislative session has limited the city’s capacity to make decisions within the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District, which includes both the Power District and the Utah State Fairpark. City officials have drawn parallels to the governance of the Inland Port Authority, an enterprise overseen by a state-appointed board. Although years have transpired since the Inland Port Authority’s inception, the structure it operates under has left the city feeling fatigued, as expressed by Victoria Petro, chair of the Salt Lake City Council. Nevertheless, there is palpable enthusiasm for the prospect of a new ballpark development.
“I think LHM has done a good job of proving that they are partners who care,” Petro articulated in early November. “And so I anticipate that the council will respond to the zoning requests with a strong commitment to our statutory responsibilities, just as we did during the NHL negotiations, while prioritizing the interests of our constituents.”
After an intensive period of revising the agreement for the new NHL team, city officials are now assessing plans to potentially introduce a baseball franchise. Here’s a closer look at the developments thus far.
Initial plan includes river promenade along a cleaner Jordan River
The Larry H. Miller Company has teamed up with Populous, the renowned architectural firm responsible for designing The Sphere in Las Vegas, to develop a state-of-the-art 13-acre baseball stadium, as announced by Brad Holmes, president of Larry H. Miller Real Estate, during a presentation to the state-sanctioned Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District Board (UFAIR) in October.
The proposed development plans also include ambitious enhancements for the Jordan River promenade, which aims to create a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere with amenities located on both sides of North Temple and the river, effectively connecting the Power District with the Utah State Fairpark.
“We’re collaborating closely with our landscape architects and land planners to fully realize the envisioned river experience, focusing on improving safety and accessibility while crossing the river,” Holmes elaborated.
Dan Strong, president of the Westside Coalition and a member of the UFAIR board, expressed his excitement regarding the vision, highlighting that jogging or biking along certain stretches of North Temple currently feels unsafe for community members. “That’s an asset our community can’t use right now, and this looks like something we would love to utilize,” Strong stated.
What about taxes?
This proposed agreement diverges significantly from the arrangement approved for the Downtown Revitalization District that supported the Utah Hockey Club at the Delta Center. In the case of a baseball team, the state has relegated taxation authority to the UFAIR board.
The state’s plan involves generating roughly $900 million through various taxes, with all revenues earmarked exclusively for the district’s development, significantly enhancing the UFAIR board’s decision-making power over this portion of land situated on the western side of Salt Lake City. The process is already underway.
During its October meeting, the UFAIR board approved the imposition of telecommunications and energy use taxes for the district. Although tax rates will remain unchanged, starting April 2025, revenue generated from these taxes will be allocated to the district rather than the city.
Public benefits
In late October, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission put forth a recommendation for the initial zoning plans, envisioning what is to become the Jordan River Fairpark Zone. Buildings in this area could reach heights of up to 400 feet, with design reviews mandated for structures exceeding 200 feet.
However, the commission expressed caution regarding the expedited nature of the project, citing a range of conditions that must be met. These include specific setbacks for buildings, minimum requirements for publicly accessible open spaces, commitments to affordable housing, and design standards for all structures that face public thoroughfares and the Jordan River. This proposed agreement is currently under review by the City Council.
HB 562 does not establish a framework for drafting a participation agreement to outline development expectations or community benefits, nor does it grant the city authority to impose taxes. Nevertheless, according to Petro, who also serves as a board member on UFAIR, the Larry H. Miller Company has willingly engaged in negotiations with the city.
During a recent work meeting, the Salt Lake City Council acknowledged this positive step and expressed their gratitude. “The bill doesn’t necessarily protect our city or interests, but Larry H. Miller is staying at the table to find some common public benefit and to show that their words match with their actions. So to me, it is encouraging to see that,” remarked Salt Lake City Council member Alejandro Puy, who represents the Fairpark neighborhood.
Cars move through the intersection of North Temple and 1000 West in the Fairpark neighborhood of Salt Lake City on April 3, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
The west side is home to many of the state’s communities of color and has historically faced government neglect. Thus, any proposals for transformative projects can be met with skepticism from residents. Amanda Covington, chief corporate affairs officer for the Larry H. Miller Company, reassured the council that their intent isn’t to dramatically alter the community.
“As we’ve engaged with council members and community leaders, we’ve come to understand that this is a vibrant and culturally rich community with a significant legacy that we aspire to continue building upon, not transforming,” Covington asserted.
While the council may not possess the authority to draft a participation agreement outlining public benefits, it still aims to establish a binding document with Larry H. Miller. This agreement would ideally commit to utilizing local contractors within the district, implementing workforce development initiatives, ensuring free expression protections, and enacting anti-discrimination policies.
Covington expressed her belief that those requests may not strictly pertain to development agreements. However, she indicated that the contract could indeed nod towards working on a participation or community benefits agreement.
Nick Tarbet, senior public analyst for the city, mentioned that such discussions could proceed, provided there is clarity in the language regarding next steps, engagement strategies with LHM, and the types of prospective benefits. “LHM is a good partner who wants the community to genuinely, authentically benefit from this. They have voluntarily approached discussions about initiatives such as job readiness and opportunities for business incubation, including food and beverage ventures,” he shared with Utah News Dispatch. “There’s also a focus on fixed income, looking into income-restricting certain housing units.”
During the UFAIR board meeting in October, he conveyed concerns about the potential haste in committing to plans in order to meet the state-mandated deadline of December 31. “I know sometimes the city can be accused of being a little obstructionist or difficult to deal with, and I want to nip that narrative in the bud and just highlight the complexities inherent in the tasks assigned to both the board and the city in reaching these decisions collaboratively by that deadline,” he asserted.
What key factors will influence the success of the downtown redevelopment initiative in Salt Lake City?
**Interview with Victoria Petro, Chair of the Salt Lake City Council**
**Editor:** Victoria, thank you for joining us today. Salt Lake City is embarking on a significant downtown redevelopment initiative, particularly in light of the potential for a new Major League Baseball team. Can you share your thoughts on the importance of this development for the city?
**Victoria Petro:** Thank you for having me. This redevelopment marks a pivotal moment for Salt Lake City and our commitment to enhancing community welfare. With the arrival of the professional hockey team, we’ve started seeing the benefits of strategic development. A baseball team could further amplify these benefits, potentially rejuvenating local businesses and providing new recreational opportunities.
**Editor:** We’ve seen some challenges, especially concerning the governance and taxation framework around the Fairpark area. Can you elaborate on that and how it affects decision-making for projects like this?
**Victoria Petro:** Certainly. Recent legislation, particularly House Bill 562, has limited our authority over significant planning and taxation decisions. This means that while we can influence development through zoning, we face hurdles in ensuring tax revenues directly benefit our community. Despite this, our collaboration with the Larry H. Miller Company has been encouraging, and we believe they genuinely care about including community needs in their plans.
**Editor:** It seems there’s a strong focus on ensuring community needs are prioritized in the redevelopment plans, including affordable housing. How will the City Council ensure those interests are met?
**Victoria Petro:** After our experiences with the NHL negotiations, we’re committed to asking the hard questions and advocating for our constituents. We are working with the Larry H. Miller Company to integrate zoning agreements that emphasize affordable housing and ensure open spaces are accessible to everyone. The vision for the Jordan River promenade, for example, includes pedestrian-friendly pathways that enhance safety and community interaction.
**Editor:** With projects like the baseball stadium and the proposed enhancements to the Jordan River promenade, how do you foresee the balance between development and community sentiment, especially given the historical context of the area?
**Victoria Petro:** That’s an important point. It’s essential to listen to the community’s voice—especially in an area that has faced neglect. We want to ensure that the legacy and character of the Fairpark neighborhood are respected. Meetings with local leaders and residents are ongoing, and we’re committed to fostering an environment that both revitalizes and preserves the community’s cultural richness.
**Editor:** what are your hopes for the timeline and outcome of these developments by the end of 2024?
**Victoria Petro:** My hope is that by the end of 2024, we will have a solid agreement that reflects our community’s interests and lays the groundwork for new sports teams and developments. We’re aiming for a well-thought-out plan that benefits Salt Lake City as a whole, sparking local economic growth while enhancing community life. If we stay committed and engaged, I believe we can achieve this.
**Editor:** Thank you, Victoria, for sharing your insights on these exciting developments in Salt Lake City. We look forward to seeing how this unfolds!