Smith's 'reimagined downtown' gets support of large number of Utah leaders

A large contingent of politicians and community leaders have signed a letter in support of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG) and its “reimagining” of downtown Salt Lake City. SEG has release preliminary plans for a “sports, entertainment, culture and convention” center to include the two blocks located east of the Delta Center centered on 300 West in the city.

Details of the letter and the large group of signatories was revealed at a Salt Lake City Council meeting on May 21 by SEG executive Mike Maughan. The letter says the reimagining project is an “unparalleled opportunity” to leverage Salt Lake City’s reputation as a cultural gathering place. Maughan said the public can add individual signatures to the letter at the reimaginedowntownSLC.com website, where the full text of the letter can be found.

Among the sites being targeted by the rebuilding plans is Abravanel Hall, home of the Utah Symphony Orchestra. Thousands have rallied recently in support of preserving the 50-year-old concert venue, but officials have recently released details of renovations needed at the hall that carry a nearly $200 million price tag.

“We are at a unique moment in time where leaders from across arts and culture, meetings and conventions, government, sports, entertainment, tourism and hospitality and business are coming together with a shared commitment to reimagining downtown Salt Lake City and what it can mean for generations to come,” the letter reads in part. “This project is an unparalleled opportunity to leverage Salt Lake City’s reputation as an iconic cultural gathering place — fostering unity for all Utahns and visitors from across the world.”

The letter continues, “We are both inspired by the collaborative work that Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Smith Entertainment Group and other stakeholders are conducting to ensure the success of the proposed sports, entertainment, culture and convention district and also confident that progress is being made in a way that will preserve the city’s rich legacy in the arts.”

“We fully support the goal of reimagining and optimizing downtown Salt Lake City,” the document concludes. “It is an incredible place, and we have a chance to create an even more inspiring, compelling, connected and successful downtown core where people come to live, work, meet and play.”

Among the more than two dozen signing the support letter are Stuart Adams, president of the Utah Senate; Dee Brewer, executive director of the Downtown Alliance; Steve Brosvik, president and CEO of the Utah Symphony; Fraser Bullock, chair of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games; Gov. Spencer J. Cox; Kaitlin Eskelson, president and CEO of Visit Salt Lake; professional golfer Tony Finau; Erin Mendenhall, mayor of Salt Lake City; Derek Miller, president and CEO, Salt Lake Chamber and Downtown Alliance; Taylor Randall, president, University of Utah; Jeff Robbins, president and CEO, Utah Sports Commission; Ryan Starks, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity; and Jenny Wilson, mayor of Salt Lake County. A number of highly placed industry and business leaders also signed the letter along with state senators and representatives.