New details of a proposed downtown SLC sports district were unveiled this week, with drawings and financial estimates released for the first time.
Why it matters: Some residents shared doubts at a public hearing Tuesday about the 0.5% sales tax increase to help Jazz owner Ryan Smith and his company, Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), bring Utah's new hockey team to town .
Catch up quick: The project would encompass the Delta Center and the two blocks to its east, ending at West Temple.
Here are three main takeaways from the new information:
1. What would change
The west arm of the Salt Palace would be replaced by a hotel and an apartment high-rise, per drawings released Tuesday by SEG.
- A walkway and plaza would cut through the block and extend across 200 West, which already runs underground beneath the Salt Palace.
- Commercial space for entertainment and dining would line the north side of the walkway.
The Delta Center and surrounding plaza would be renovated with more street-side commercial space on what are now small plazas on the corners adjacent to 300 West.
- SEG reps confirmed they're in talks with state transportation officials to tunnel 300 West underground , making room for a new event plaza above it.
- A parking garage would replace the loading docks near 400 West.
The intrigue: SEG's plans do not address the block containing Abravanel Hall, whose future is uncertain amid needed renovations . That area of the map is simply called "Phase 2."
2. The projected tax bill
The average SLC household would pay $120-$150 in added sales tax, policy analyst Natalie Gochnour estimated as part of SEG's presentation Tuesday .
Caveat: Because sales tax is based on consumption, some families would pay much more or much less than that.
The big picture: State lawmakers authorized Salt Lake to collect up to $900 million in taxes, most of which — 75% to 80%, Gochnour said — would be paid by out-of-towners who spend money while visiting.
3. Who's paying
SEG has committed $3 billion to the project.
- About $500,000 of the public funding would go to the Delta Center and plaza, with $300,000 for the surrounding entertainment district, SEG executive Mike Maughan told KSL.com .
Yes, but: It's unclear how much of that would support the county-owned Abravanel Hall or the potential tunnel for state-owned 300 West.
What's next: The city council could vote on the tax as early as July 2.
- Maughan told the council Delta Center renovations are slated for April 2025, but SEG won't "move a single brick" until it has finalized plans with the city.
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