POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Salt Lake residents try to convince city leaders to not sell Utah Theater

Nov 12, 2019, 6:42 PM | Updated: 7:14 pm

(Artist rendering of proposed skyscraper, Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency)...

(Artist rendering of proposed skyscraper, Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency)

(Artist rendering of proposed skyscraper, Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency)

SALT LAKE CITY – The landscape of downtown Salt Lake City is likely to change soon, as the city government takes one more step toward selling the historic Utah Theater.  Technically, the deal hasn’t been approved, yet, and some city residents are trying to fight it.

The city took control of the shuttered theater back in 2009 for $5.5 million.  Leaders have tried to find ways to either renovate or preserve it, but, the city was never able to find enough funding to restore it to what it used to be.

However, art lovers in Salt Lake say the city should keep trying.  Advocates like Darby McDonough say the theater is too historically important to just tear down.

“The Utah Theater is part of a historic chain built over 100 years ago called The Pantages, and there are mirroring theaters around the country.  Two of which were in worse [condition] than the Utah Theater is now, and have been saved,” McDonough says.

She’s hoping to spread the word of fundraising efforts that are happening that she believes could save the theater from a wrecking ball, but, she acknowledges it’s a tough battle.

McDonough says, “I believe historic architecture actually changes the nature of a city.  It changes how we think and how we interact with each other.”

However, Matthew Rojas with Mayor Jackie Bisupski’s office say the theater is well beyond needing just renovation.  He says the building would have to have serious seismic safety upgrades, and that would cost between $40 million and $60 million.  He says the city can’t justify spending that kind of money on what would become a single-screen movie theater.

“If the [Redevelopment Agency] were to bond to cover that cost of just $40 million, it would essentially limit the RDA’s ability to do any further bonding for the downtown RDA project area until about 2050,” Rojas say.

There are benefits to selling the building at a loss.  Rojas says in order to qualify for the write down, the developers would have to agree with certain terms.  For instance, “We can require the developer to include affordable housing for a period of about 50 years,” according to Rojas.  He also says the new owners would be required to preserve the historic features that are still inside the theater, and they would have to provide for a downtown green space.

The mayor has agreed to sell Utah Theater to Hines Interest LP and the Lasalle Group, who are proposing a 375-foot high-rise building with 300 apartments.  The RDA hasn’t agreed to this deal, yet, but, Rojas expects the agency to discuss it again in December.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

Rep Phil Lyman shown, lyman dei comments came under scrutiny...

Emma Keddington

Rep. Phil Lyman defends post correlating DEI policies with Baltimore bridge collapse

Rep. Phil Lyman is defending a post made Tuesday, that said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies had something to do with the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

21 hours ago

Former senator Joseph Lieberman...

Jake Tapper, CNN

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, according to a statement from his family.

2 days ago

rep phil lyman shown, he made comments about the bridge collapse in maryland...

Heather Peterson

LISTEN: Utah Rep. Phil Lyman blames Baltimore bridge collapse on DEI

Rep. Phil Lyman said the bridge collapse is because of "governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens."

2 days ago

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 4: A view of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday morning January 4, 2024 in...

MARK SHERMAN

Supreme Court again confronts the issue of abortion, this time over access to widely used pill

Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states, abortion opponents on Tuesday will ask the high court to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to the medication mifepristone, which was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States last year.

3 days ago

File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Instagram has star...

Associated Press

New Instagram feature limits display of political content

Instagram has started an automatic clamp down on the amount of political content appearing in its users' feeds.

4 days ago

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene...

Manu Raju, Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer and Kristin Wilson, CNN

Marjorie Taylor Greene files surprise motion to oust Speaker Johnson, a sign of growing revolt from the right

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion, seeking to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his position.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Salt Lake residents try to convince city leaders to not sell Utah Theater