Redevelopment agency nears decision on USA Climbing lease

The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City is nearing a decision on whether to allow USA Climbing to relocate its headquarters and build a national training facility in the Rio Grande District.

Why it matters: The project has the potential to revive the dilapidated district.

• "This is an opportunity to start the beginning of a new era for that west part of downtown," Salt Lake City Council member Alejandro Puy, who represents the area and chairs the RDA, tells Axios.
• Puy anticipates the presence of USA Climbing, the national governing body for competition climbing, will attract more developers and businesses to the neighborhood.

The big picture: Salt Lake City is having a moment on the national and international sports scene after welcoming a new NHL team and being favored to re-host the Winter Olympics Games in 2034.

• U.S. Ski & Snowboard and U.S. Speedskating are also headquartered in the Salt Lake Valley.

Driving the news: At a public meeting this week, the redevelopment agency discussed a proposed 99-year ground lease for USA Climbing to build new facilities near 310 South and 500 West.

• Under the ground lease, USA Climbing will own the building, but the land will remain under RDA ownership.

State of play: The organization has operated from Salt Lake City's Granary District while it looks for a new site to build permanent facilities.

• Project goals entail hosting large-scale climbing competitions and providing indoor climbing to community members, Ashley Ogden, RDA senior project manager, noted at the meeting.
• The primary structure containing climbing walls would take up 45,000 square feet and stand between 65 to 75 feet tall.
• The former (and nearby) Salt Lake Mattress & Manufacturing Company building would be used for office space, as well as food, drink and retail.

What they're saying: "It's a big deal for our city and our state to highlight the sport," Puy said.

Context: Shortly after USA Climbing moved to Utah from Colorado in 2018, the organization announced its intent to build a national training facility for athletes, Ogden said.

• State lawmakers last year allotted $15 million to support USA Climbing's proposed new facilities.

What's next: The RDA vote could happen as soon as next month, according to Puy.

• If approved, the RDA and USA Climbing will negotiate to finalize a ground lease and development agreement.

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