Amid a massive proposal to bring a new sports and entertainment district to downtown Salt Lake City, we asked you to share your hopes and concerns. The responses below come from our Top Stories newsletter subscribers and our social media followers.
Let us know what you think here or in the form below, and subscribe to Top Stories to share your insight.
“I think it’s great. We need reinvestment back into downtown before we end up like a lot of other downtowns fading out. This is an opportunity for us to create a pedestrian area that our city desperately needs. I really hope the area around the arena is redeveloped.” — Tyler, Salt Lake City
“Economic growth cannot be the only reason to build this downtown sports mecca. We do not need another tax incentive based development to further fuel the Utah property value increases.” — Derek, American Fork
“It’s sickening to see so much money — and tax dollars — being spent on entertainment when so many Utahns are drowning in Utah’s housing prices. A billion dollars could build a lot of the affordable housing Utah so desperately needs.” — Kari, Orem
“I am a lifelong hockey fan and have lived in SLC my entire life. I hope for balance: Preserve Japantown and invest in it, keep Abravanel Hall and UMOCA while still keeping sports and entertainment in the heart of the city. You know what doesn’t add a shred of value to downtown? Gateway. Knock it down, save the train station/Depot and raze the rest. Good riddance. It’s a ghost town save for the bare edges. Let’s put that vast amount of wasted space to good use.” — Alison, Millcreek
“It’s really exciting — as long as we don’t lose a symphony hall to gain a professional sports team.” — Jennifer, Lehi
“Having lived in SLC a total of 20 years, I’m excited about rejuvenating economic prospects for downtown SLC. However, I worry about whether this development will simply profit the wealthy and inflict further economic and social harm on west-siders. What specific plans are being made to avoid these significant issues?” — Robert, Provo
“I have two principal concerns about this proposal: 1. The possible loss of existing convention and cultural venues to the downtown area, such as Abravanel Hall and the Salt Palace, which support non-sport diverse opportunities for Utah residents; and 2. The use of general public tax money, such as the increase in general sales taxes, which burden everyone, to support the recreational and sports interests of the few. I feel strongly that the expense of creating this concept should be born primarily by those who use it and profit from it. Perhaps a special taxing district should be created for the development so that only those who buy goods and tickets within the ‘sports district’ will pay an extra sales tax on those purchases, and those who own the venues within the special district will pay a special income and property tax for the privilege and benefit of doing so. If these two concerns can be resolved, then I’m in favor of the proposal.” — David, Salt Lake City
“I go downtown for three reasons, and three reasons only: The opera, the symphony and the Broadway movie theater. I sincerely hope these important cultural icons are not threatened by noisy, obnoxious, sports fans.” — Ken, Millcreek
“I honestly don’t care. But I do care about the current buildings that area contains, like Abravanel Hall. I go to the symphony, ballet, etc. regularly. And I would not have moved here recently from Atlanta if these options were not available.” — Brandi, North Salt Lake
“I swear to god, if y’all don’t house all the unhoused ….. you will all see the first gates of hell for your greedy selfishness. $1 billion but can’t even keep your citizens out of the streets. You make me sick to my stomach fam.” — Jess, West Valley City
“I like the idea. Just make sure you integrate it into the cultural area around Abravanel Hall, as well as somehow return the concept of Japantown into it [and] the LDS Church’s plan for a park-like downtown area just to the north of it. If done correctly, it could be an awesome downtown for everyone!” — Eric, North Salt Lake
“I do not want to pay for it, nor should they be allowed to tear down any existing buildings that serve the entertainment or cultural needs of Salt Lake City — specifically Abravanel Hall — not to mention it is one of the best architectural contributions to our entire state.” — Christine, Salt Lake City
“I’d rather see affordable housing and disability services than sports. My disabled friends in Utah are barely surviving.” — Nate, West Valley City
“I hate going downtown because parking is so awful — expensive and hard to find. I think sports is highly overrated. With the threat of destruction of Abravanel Hall, the main reason I ever venture to downtown, I would find no desire ever to go downtown. The loss of cultural events would be the kiss of death to Salt Lake City’s downtown.” — Ann, Salt Lake City
The Salt Lake Tribune is committed to creating a space where Utahns can share ideas, perspectives and solutions that move our state forward. We rely on your insight to do this. Find out how to share your opinion here, and email us at voices@sltrib.com.
