How the Delta Center overhaul is impacting nearby business

SALT LAKE CITY — Construction in and around the Delta Center is negatively affecting nearby businesses, such as The Break Sports Grill located across the street.

Even though a small crowd gathered at the restaurant to watch the NBA Draft Lottery announcement, the business was nowhere near capacity.

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Savanna Palmer is a lead server at The Break Sports Grill. She said the crowds started to diminish about halfway through last season as the Utah Jazz kept losing, but they have gotten even smaller since the construction began.

“Business has slowed down a little bit. And so it’s been interesting to see what kind of crowds we get in.”

Palmer said business typically slows during the summer, but this year has been worse than previous years since people aren’t stopping by while waiting for their Uber or waiting for the traffic to die down before leaving downtown.

Fortunately, she said the events at the Salt Palace Convention Center are helping the business a lot.

“We still are seeing a little bit of business from the construction workers (as well), and that’s been helpful.”

Palmer said she’s looking forward to the arena reopening in October.

“We’re ready for October to come and the Delta Center to be open again and get Jazz games going, concerts, hockey games, all that fun stuff because we really thrive here on those.”

The potential future of business post-construction

Palmer said she thinks the reconstruction project turning 300 West into a pedestrian plaza will eventually be good, but it might be tough while the construction continues.

“I think, generally, it’ll bring a lot more business. It just might take a little bit longer for that business to generate.”

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