Salt Lake City, Smith Entertainment Group nearing deal for downtown development

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Salt Lake City and the Smith Entertainment Group are close to finalizing a deal for the development of a new entertainment district in the heart of downtown and a remodeling of the Delta Center.

In a joint statement, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Smith Entertainment Group said they are continuing their negotiations on the deal and expect it to be sent to the Salt Lake City Council early next week.

The City Council was expected to take action on a proposal for the entertainment district on Tuesday, July 2, however, that may now be delayed.

“Due to next week’s holiday and to give Council Members and the public ample opportunity to review the details ahead of a potential endorsement, we anticipate the agreement discussion to occur on July 2 and a possible vote related to the agreement to occur on July 9,” the statement reads.

The topic of a new entertainment district in Salt Lake City has been a controversial one.

Earlier in the year, the Utah State Legislature passed a law that would give the Salt Lake City Council the power to raise the city’s sales tax by up to .5% to help pay for the redevelopment.

Salt Lakers also rose in support of protecting Abravanel Hall, the home of the Utah Symphony, which currently stands in the way of where the planned entertainment district would be developed. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson voiced her support for the building saying she prefers it where it is. However, a recent study found the building to be “outdated” and requiring a $200 million renovation.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has previously voiced his support for the entertainment district saying Salt Lake City’s current layout doesn’t support a vibrant gathering place.

“Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to some of the most iconic cities in the country,” Cox said during his monthly press conference in May. “One of the things they all have in common is a place where people want to gather, to dine, to shop, just to interact with one another.”