A ballpark-sized opportunity:
It’s disappointing that the Salt Lake Bees are moving to Daybreak. The city should take stock and resolve to do better. The decision was made by a private business; our ire should not be directed at them. The Bees did not make that neighborhood worse, it was the ineffectiveness of government and poor policy decisions that resulted in the continued decay of that neighborhood. How do we move forward?
First we need a conceptual plan for utilization of that parcel. The city should focus its effort on a similar use. A strong case can be made that we could support another AAA team. Daybreak is 21 miles away. For 20 years the Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones were located 10 miles away from each other. Staten Island is an island with half the population of Salt Lake County. The Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, A’s, Padres or Mariners AAA teams would be good targets. Salt Lake City could make a compelling pitch to any one of those clubs.
Soccer fans are now steaming. Soccer could be an option, but baseball is plug and play. If we can’t lure another team, then we should seek to have Real Salt Lake located in Salt Lake City by renovating Smith’s Ballpark. This site is more accessible than the stadium in Sandy, and can handle larger crowds (25,000) better. And let’s also create the incentive to bring Utah Royals FC back. Either to Sandy or Smith’s Ballpark too.
This site should not be redeveloped into a mixed used development. Why? Because there are plenty of infill sites around Salt Lake City – especially west of State Street – that can serve that purpose. There are very few large tracts (13 acres) that can accommodate a regional draw like the ballpark can. Elected officials need to step up to the plate. We need more housing, just not on this site. Open a satellite view of the city and you will see there is no shortage of redevelopment sites.
Bill Ciraco, Park City
