Council approves The Grove land sale 6-1 and $51 million park bond 6-1, adopts budget amendment
February 17, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 South State Street
The council approved the resolution setting the sales price and term sheet for The Grove project on a 6-1 vote, with Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez opposed, and authorized up to $51 million in general obligation park bonds 6-1, with Council Member Victoria Petro opposed. It also adopted the rest of Budget Amendment No. 4, shifting $50,000 from Fisher Mansion to historic displays at City Hall.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Five grant applications (heard as one public hearing) | No action · 7-0 |
| The Grove: sales price and term sheet, 321 East 200 South | Approved · 6-1 |
| Disposition of alleys and street text amendment | Continued · 7-0 |
| Budget Amendment No. 4 for fiscal year 2025-26 | Approved · 7-0 |
| Alley vacation near 300 West and Paxton Avenue: deadline extension | Approved · 7-0 |
| Second issuance of general obligation parks bond | Approved · 6-1 |
| Conference travel approval | Approved · 7-0 |
| Consent agenda | Approved · 7-0 |
Agenda, item by item
Item B1-B5 · Public hearing
Five grant applications (heard as one public hearing)
No action · 7-0
The council held one hearing on five grant applications: Transportation Alternatives Program funds for GREENbike capital care (six stations and 58 e-bikes); Carbon Reduction Program funds for four new GREENbike stations; Transportation Alternatives funds for Red Butte Creek Trail design; a Rocky Mountain Power Foundation grant for massage chairs for SLC911 staff; and a federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area grant for a police K9 officer and financial manager positions. One speaker urged denying the police grant and redirecting money to housing and social services. The hearing was closed and the items deferred to a future consent agenda.
- GrantAmount not given to Utah DOT / Wasatch Front Regional Council
- GrantAmount not given to Utah DOT / Wasatch Front Regional Council
- GrantAmount not given to Utah DOT / Wasatch Front Regional Council
- GrantAmount not given to Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
- GrantAmount not given to Office of National Drug Control Policy
Item B6 · Development
The Grove: sales price and term sheet, 321 East 200 South
Approved · 6-1
The council adopted Resolution 1 of 2026 authorizing the sales price and term sheet for The Grove, covering the Northwest Pipeline Building and adjacent properties: 196 affordable units, 2.42 acres sold for $1 million over 55 years. A carpenters' union representative supported the project for job opportunities. Other speakers, including one for the Central City Neighborhood Council, raised concerns about the size of the public subsidy, financing, concentration of affordable units and the lack of homeownership. Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez voiced support for extending the hearing so a board could review low-income housing tax credit applications, which could delay the project.
- Land deal$1.00 million
Item B7 · City code
Disposition of alleys and street text amendment
Continued · 7-0
With no public comment, the council closed the hearing and deferred action to a future meeting.
- Petition: PLNPCM2025-00423
Item C1 · Budget
Budget Amendment No. 4 for fiscal year 2025-26
Approved · 7-0
The council adopted Ordinance 5 of 2026 with the remaining items. Council Member Puy stressed funding for downtown parking improvements; Council Member Lopez Chavez described the police mobile command center as useful for emergencies and mass gatherings, not for profiling. A friendly amendment from Council Member Wharton moved $50,000 from Fisher Mansion to City Hall historic displays, making displays $150,000 and Fisher Mansion $350,000. The council also stated its intent that the administration develop a downtown parking wayfinding policy with digital tools showing real-time space availability.
- Budget$150,000
- Budget$350,000
Item E1 · Other
Alley vacation near 300 West and Paxton Avenue: deadline extension
Approved · 7-0
The council adopted Resolution 4 of 2026 giving the property owner an additional 12 months to satisfy conditions of Ordinance 13 of 2025, which vacated an L-shaped city alley near Paxton Avenue.
Item F1 · Parks
Second issuance of general obligation parks bond
Approved · 6-1
The council adopted Resolution 5 of 2026 authorizing up to $51 million in federally taxable general obligation bonds, Series 2026, for parks, trails and open space.
- Bond$51.0 million
Item F2 · Other
Conference travel approval
Approved · 7-0
The council approved attendance at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Conference in Los Angeles, July 14 to 16, 2026.
Item G · Other
Consent agenda
Approved · 7-0
The council approved the consent agenda: setting Mar. 10 hearings on the Rio Grande rezone, the fence and hedge text amendment, the 527-539 South 400 East rezone and the recurring nuisance properties ordinance; Grant Holding Account Items (Batch No. 2); appointing Anna Sullivan to the Planning Commission; and reappointing Matthew Coles to the Arts Council.
What residents said
Public subsidy for The GroveHomeownership opportunitiesPolice mobile command centerImmigration enforcement
On The Grove, speakers split between support for jobs and concerns about subsidy size, financing and homeownership. In general comment, speakers addressed immigration enforcement, opposed the police mobile command center and surveillance spending, raised budget transparency, and asked about homelessness referral resources.