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SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Spencer Cox believes Utah is uniquely positioned as the state looks forward to hosting a second Winter Olympics.
Since the state doesn't need to worry about building new venues for the Games, it can focus on making enhancements to showcase Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front to the rest of the world. A proposed plan to remodel the Delta Center — one of the Olympic venues — to fit both the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club could be one of those enhancements, the governor said last week.
The plan would also include a massive overhaul of the blocks east of the arena by cutting into the Salt Palace Convention Center, which covers 100 South between West Temple and 200 West, and turning that into a walkable plaza. It appears the plaza would connect to the western edge of Salt Lake City's proposed Main Street promenade, as well.
Cox said he thinks the plan would improve east-west connectivity in downtown Salt Lake City.
"I believe the transformation of downtown Salt Lake City is the biggest thing that we can be working on right now," he said during his monthly briefing with Utah reporters on Friday. "Most of it has nothing to do with hockey but with something that should have been done a long time ago that we're very hopeful that can be done now."
At the same time, the governor said the state could start "hastening" some transit projects in the region, which may include Utah Transit Authority's proposed fourth light-rail line that would run through more of downtown Salt Lake City. He added that the state will eventually meet with federal officials on what types of federal funding Utah could receive ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics.
His remarks mirror sentiments from Salt Lake City leaders before the Salt Lake City Council voted on July 9 to agree to proposed deal terms with Smith Entertainment Group, owner of the Jazz and Hockey Club.
"This monumental investment will generate economic activity for surrounding businesses, activate underutilized spaces and help fund critical city services," said Salt Lake City Councilman Chris Wharton before the vote. "I truly believe the proposed agreement is a good deal for Salt Lake City even if it doesn't address every point, every wish that the public expressed."
Of course, not everyone has been a fan of the deal or its plans. Over 45,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the involved entities to preserve Abravanel Hall. Smith Entertainment Group officials said they will respect Salt Lake County's wishes on what to do with the 45-year-old building.
Calls to preserve the building only intensified this month, as legendary composer John Williams wrote a letter in support of preserving the building where he recorded his 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics theme.
"It is an iconic landmark of which all your fellow citizens can and should be justly proud. It must be preserved for future generations to enjoy," he wrote, in part.
Others called the whole plan a "boondoggle" and questioned why Smith, a billionaire, needed public funds to pay for the project. Revenue from the 0.5% sales tax would go toward paying off up to $900 million in project bonds, according to the agreement.
The revitalization agreement is now in the state's hands, either way. Members of the Utah Revitalization Zone Committee are currently reviewing the document, as outlined in this year's SB272.
The bill's two sponsors — Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, and Rep. Jon Hawkins, R-Pleasant Grove — were picked to serve on the committee, as well as Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Draper, Rep. Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, and Jon Pierpont, Cox's chief of staff.
It's not entirely clear when the state committee will vote on the deal, but members have less than 30 days to make a decision. If accepted, it would head back to the Salt Lake City Council to be finalized. The council has until Sept. 1 to finalize the deal, according to the bill.
The City Council will vote on whether to approve a 0.5% sales tax increase and any necessary zoning changes tied to the agreement once it is finalized.
