Salt Lake County to vote whether to sell Salt Palace portion to Smith Entertainment Group
A portion of the Salt Palace Convention Center could soon belong to the Smith Entertainment Group, as the future of downtown continues to take shape.
The Salt Lake County Council will vote Tuesday afternoon on a resolution to sell about 6.5 acres of county-owned land near 55 S. 300 West at an undisclosed price 'within a reasonable range of market value,' which will help the county fund a massive project to remodel and 'modernize' the convention center.
Discussions over a key piece of the 'sports, entertainment, culture and convention district' plan occurred earlier this month. County Council members spent over an hour in a closed session tied to the sale a day after Gov. Spencer Cox met with Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, Smith Entertainment Group representatives and state legislators over the 'Mid Block' portion of the district outside of the Delta Center, which could link the arena with the rest of the district.
Those conversations picked up after Salt Lake City leaders and the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Committee each passed measures created in this year's SB26, setting up a 'funding mechanism' for the projected $1.8 billion project. Projects tied to the county account for about $1.5 billion of the total cost of redevelopment.
Smith Entertainment Group founder Ryan Smith unveiled the plans shortly after bringing an NHL team to Utah last year. It sparked a process that ended in Salt Lake City approving a 0.5% citywide sales tax to help repay up to $900 million in bonds Smith was permitted to seek toward construction costs.
County officials say selling the land is a 'necessary condition' in plans to improve the Delta Center, which is now undergoing its first remodeling phase. However, it will also provide funding for the remodeling and reconstruction of the Salt Palace, while opening up nearly $5 million in annual county property tax revenue as the land switches over to nonexempt tax status.
The sale would also help 'connect' the Delta Center, Salt Palace Convention Center, Abravanel Hall, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and other downtown buildings, county officials add.
'Linking these assets for visitors and businesses prepares the county to host major national and international events more effectively and generate additional revenue from visitors,' the resolution states.
When it remodels the convention center, the county plans to build a second Salt Palace ballroom and new convention event spaces. It is unclear when that will happen, but according to county projections, it should generate about $11.5 million in new annual state, county, and city tax revenue.
Tuesday's meeting is set to start at 1:30 p.m. and will be streamed live on the County Council's Facebook page.
This article will be updated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Janssen Evelyn announces second run for Howard County's District 4 council seat
Jun. 5—Janssen Evelyn, a Democrat, announced Thursday his candidacy to represent Howard County's fourth district on the County Council. The seat is currently held by Deb Jung. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To log in, click here. Originally Published:June 5, 2025 at 4:49 PM EDT
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Opinion: Energy tax credits help Utah's economy thrive
For generations, Utah has been known as 'the Crossroads of the West,' and, in recent years, our state has undergone an exciting amount of growth. According to Pew, between 2009 and 2023, Utah experienced the fastest median population growth rate in the United States, at 1.68% a year. By 2065, Utah County alone will add 1 million people to its population. People from across the country and the world are moving to Utah, not only for its natural beauty, but for the state's pro-business economy. With all the positives that come from a growing population, Utah must address one of the greatest challenges facing our state: producing reliable energy. In recent years, federal lawmakers have sought to incentivize domestic clean energy production. Tax provisions that were included in federal legislation have unleashed a new era of energy production in Utah. Last fall, Gov. Spencer Cox launched 'Operation Gigawatt,' an ambitious initiative to double Utah's power production over the next decade. Reflecting his commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy, the plan leverages a diverse mix of traditional and renewable resources — including natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, solar and wind — to meet growing demand. By combining access to abundant natural assets with world-class research and innovation, Utah is positioning itself as a national leader in clean, reliable and forward-looking energy solutions. Despite the positive impact that these tax credits have on Utah's energy independence and economy, some lawmakers in Washington, D.C., have proposed eliminating them in the reconciliation package now under consideration in Congress. What may seem like an easy way to generate revenue will cost Americans more in the long run. Not only will states like Utah push the limits of their current energy infrastructure, but consumers will also experience an immediate increase in the cost of utilities. Utah is not the only state that would be negatively impacted by eliminating energy tax credits. Last month, Sen. John Curtis sent a letter with some of his Republican colleagues from Alaska, Kansas and North Carolina to Senate Leader John Thune about this issue. The letter highlights the ways that these tax credits have empowered the growth of the clean energy sector, and how getting rid of these credits would 'weaken our position as a global energy leader.' SunRun, a major employer in Utah, exemplifies how clean energy tax credits can drive economic growth and energy innovation. The company's investments in solar technology and distribution not only create local jobs but also help increase America's energy independence. If Congress moves forward with cutting these vital tax credits, it would impact companies like SunRun that are at the forefront of building a more sustainable and secure energy future for Utah and the nation. Utah is fortunate to have leaders in Washington, D.C., like Sen. John Curtis, who understand the need for investments to drive a clean energy future. Our state's continued growth is reliant on our ability to provide reliable, affordable energy to everyone who wants to call Utah home. Let's not squander this opportunity; we must protect clean energy tax credits.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Braveboy outlines plans as newly elected Prince George's County executive
KETTERING, Md. () — Current Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy won the special election to become county executive. Unofficial results show Braveboy secured more than 89% of the vote. She said she's excited to be in charge of the whole county and is committed to bringing new opportunities and making life better for people who live there. 'It felt like Prince George's County was finally unified. We had several members of the council there, the state delegation, and I had gotten calls from members of Congress,' Braveboy said. Shayla Adams-Stafford projected winner of Prince George's County District 5 County Council seat After more than six years as State's Attorney tackling crime, she said she's ready to lead the county. On that front, she wants more collaboration between police and the two dozen municipal police departments. 'These are agencies that are on the borders where we're seeing a disproportionate amount of crime. So working with them will only make us safer and stronger,' Braveboy said. One of her top priorities is economic development, especially with 70,000 federal workers out of a job. 'Looking at ways to reposition those workers who have been displaced back into the workforce, as well as expanding local opportunities to procure more from businesses located in Prince George's County,' Braveboy said. Tenants say church took down Pride decorations at DC apartment building Braveboy already has plans after Six Flags shuts down later this summer season. The amusement park generates $3.5 million for the county every year. 'But they sit on 500 acres of prime real estate that, so I believe [this] is [an] opportunity for us to reimagine that area and bring users there that will actually generate more revenue for the county,' Braveboy said. The Commanders are also scheduled to leave town in several years. Braveboy sees an opportunity to bring in new revenue. 'I have already met with the Commander's leadership team to talk about some of their thoughts, around building a sports stadium for youth athletics as well as professional athletics,' she said. 'I want to use that thoughtful opportunity to create really a hub for not only athletes, but for those who serve athletes, like doctors and other professional,s so that we can have a sports medicine specialty and a hub right there in Largo.' Other focuses include improving education. 'We need to improve outcomes for our students and so that means working more collaboratively, with entities like park and planning, with social services and family services to give families and children the support that they need in order to be successful,' Braveboy said. DC Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services discusses cuts to Medicaid She also intends to beautify the county through better upkeep. 'I'm committed to keeping our roadways free from litter, mowing the lawn in the medians and trimming the trees and doing all the things that show that we care about our county,' Braveboy said. Braveboy's swearing-in will be in two weeks on June 19. Gov. Wes Moore is expected to attend and speak. 'It's going to be definitely a new role. It's going to be a lot more responsibility, but not something that I'm unfamiliar with,' Braveboy said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
