“City is reaching for the fences” in hopes of bringing the major league team to Salt Lake

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – As Salt Lake City looks for ways to either preserve, renovate or completely redevelop the surrounding area Smith’s BallparkSalt Lake City is also considering a new power zone in hopes of attracting a major league team.

Salt Lake City executives met with the Larry H. Miller Co. Tuesday evening to discuss and approve the so-called Fairpark District zone. This comes following the city’s Redevelopment Agency (RDA) board meeting on Tuesday Discuss three scenarios, each of which would change the Smith’s Ballpark property.

“It was something special”: father and daughter play the same role in “The Nutcracker” 30 years apart.

The Fairpark District Zone, created in partnership with the Larry H. Miller Co., will cover 93 acres to transform the area into a “power district” at 1500 West North Temple near the Utah State Fairpark.

The Fairpark District Zone approval will also allow for buildings longer than 400 feet and will include a major league ballpark as the cornerstone. There is no Major League Baseball expansion in the Valley yet, with one organization hoping for a future with professional baseball.

“I would ask you to think about what your favorite cities are and I bet many of them have three or four professional teams. For a lot of people, this is their ticket to downtown, that’s why they come here,” Dee Brewer, executive director of the Downtown Alliance, told ABC4.com.

According to Larry H. Miller Co., the plan is to build on the vibrancy of the North Temple Corridor.

However, the Fairpark District Zone isn’t the only place a professional baseball team can go. The city is also exploring options for keeping Smith’s Ballpark in the picture, with or without sports.

The Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency (RDA) board met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Smith’s Ballpark property.

The city considered three options:

Councilman Darin Mano said he was excited about the second option, adaptive reuse.

“I was excited to see that the community was drawn to similar options for similar reasons,” Mano said during the meeting. Mendenhall was quoted earlier in the day: “This is a chance to breathe new life.”

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to breathe new life into one of Salt Lake City’s most family-friendly locations while staying true to the heart of the Ballpark District,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall in a press release.

Mendenhall also said residents have been included in these discussions to ensure their voices are heard.

Here’s a breakdown of what the three options look like:

Option 1: Preserve

The option to preserve Smith’s Ballpark preserves the ballpark as a gem of the baseball district, the city said.

“The proposal envisions an active, integrated neighborhood anchored by the renovated stadium that could provide space for things like a farmers market, festivals at West Temple and local retail space. A regulation soccer field is also included, adding to the versatility of the site,” the city said in a news release Tuesday.

This would also depend on long-term plans for a tenant at Smith’s Ballpark beyond spring 2025 University of Utah Utes baseball team has committed to leasing the ballpark during the spring regular season. After next spring, the ballpark is expected to no longer have a primary tenant.

Option 2: Customize

This option changes the use of Smith’s Ballpark and transforms the venue into a year-round arts and cultural center. According to the city, the aim of the adjustment would be to further integrate the baseball stadium into the neighborhood.

“The western part of the stadium will remain and be redeveloped as a venue for performances and community events. A multi-purpose green space invites gatherings and festivals, while natural walkways and art installations create a welcoming social atmosphere,” the city said.

This gives the city the freedom to not worry about having a tenant on the property, but instead has the ability to accommodate other things with the involvement of the neighborhood.

Option 3: Rebuild

Without a long-term tenant, the third option would be to demolish Smith’s Ballpark, which has happened in one form or another Baseball has been played here since the 1930s. West Temple and 1300 South have been Salt Lake City’s “baseball corner” for over 80 years, as ABC4’s Craig Wirth noted earlier this year.

The option to redevelop the area would focus on ecology and nature. The city would daylight three of the area’s streams while removing obstructions from the stream. Parking spaces would be distributed throughout the area.

“Civic, commercial and residential uses are seamlessly integrated into nature, creating a welcoming and tranquil urban environment. Tree-lined streets, bike paths and small parks provide opportunities for recreation,” the city’s press release states.

Lauren Parisi, project manager for the redevelopment agency, says each possible solution shows how thoughtful design can both honor and advance the city.

“Community feedback has been the backbone of this project. Each of these scenarios demonstrates how thoughtful design can honor the neighborhood’s history while reimagining the ballpark as a cornerstone of Salt Lake City’s future,” she said.

What’s next?

Next steps for the Smith’s Ballpark area include: Perkins&Willthe architectural firm overseeing the project is refining all discussed options based on feedback from community members and city leadership.

A final recommendation is expected in early 2025, followed by an RFP (Request For Proposals) process. The RFP process invites developers to demonstrate how they would complete phase one of the project.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit ABC4 Utah.