Council hears Smith Entertainment pitch for Delta Center revitalization zone and Intermountain's Sears block hospital plan
June 11, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
Before adopting the budget that evening, the Council took straw polls on final budget allocations, including $500,000 for a Jordan River team and putting Public Utilities in charge of the Jordan River water quality project. It also heard Smith Entertainment Group and a Gardner Institute economist on the Capital City Revitalization Zone and Intermountain Health on a proposed hospital at 754 South State Street. No formal votes were taken beyond a closed session motion.
From the approved minutes. Updated October 14, 2026.
Decisions at a glance
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
Updates from the Administration
Discussed
Staff reviewed Public Lands events, mayor's office hours, June city events, homeless resource center use, encampment mitigation updates and a June 14 resource fair at Pioneer Park.
Item 2 · Budget
Fiscal year 2024-25 budget: unresolved issues follow-up and straw polls
Discussed
Council staff updated final sales tax revenues and options for new growth funding, and said grant writers advised that grant language must specify the intended use of Jordan River team funds; the city would not be obligated to buy equipment if a grant did not cover it. By straw poll, all members present supported $500,000 for line 19, $139,281 for line 27, $250,000 for CIP line 31 and $250,000 to General Fund balance. All members present also supported making Public Utilities the lead on the Jordan River project and evaluating the ordinance on elected official compensation before the end of 2024. Members discussed motion sheets, the Library Fund judgment levy and the budget timeline.
- Budget$500,000
- Budget$139,281
- Budget$250,000
Item 3 · Development
Capital City Revitalization Zone follow-up
Discussed
Mike Maughan of Smith Entertainment Group described the Delta Center site, tax contributions, building heights, a mix of shops that is not another mall, timeline and community benefits. Natalie Gochnour of the Kem C. Gardner Institute reviewed economic benefits and effects of the 0.5 percent sales tax increase; the estimated annual cost per household was $150 to $200. Council Member Victoria Petro said the proposal was conceptual and that if it did not make the city and residents' lives better it was not worth it. Members asked for more green space, access to Japantown, year-round activation, workforce investment and free transit for workers; the company said a second arena and a helipad were not part of the proposal.
- Applicant: Smith Entertainment Group
- Enabling law: Senate Bill 272
Item 4 · Zoning
D-1 zoning text amendment for hospitals and ambulance services
Discussed
Council staff briefed a follow-up on an ordinance adding hospitals, including accessory lodging, and indoor and outdoor ambulance services as conditional uses in the D-1 Central Business District, petitioned by Kirton McConkie and tied to the 754 South State Street rezone.
- Petitioner: Kirton McConkie
- Petition: PLNPCM2022-01109
Item 5 · Zoning
Zoning map amendment at 754 South State Street (former Sears site)
Discussed
Senior Planner Amanda Roman said the Planning Commission forwarded a positive recommendation with conditions to rezone the site from D-2 to D-1 for an urban hospital. She and Council Members noted D-1 design standards apply because construction has not begun, and the plan did not meet street activation requirements on Main Street and State Street. Intermountain Health representatives described a patient-centered facility and parking options. Council Members asked for activation of the Main Street side of the parking garage, asked whether the central open space could be deeded to stay open, and suggested community benefits such as day care, a year-round food truck pad and hospital shops accessible from outside.
- Applicant: Kirton McConkie, for Intermountain Health
- Current zone → proposed: D-2 → D-1
- Recommendation: Planning Commission positive recommendation with conditions
Item 6 · Budget
Public Utilities revenue bond, Series 2024A (written briefing)
Discussed
A written briefing on a resolution authorizing not more than $39,525,000 in Public Utilities revenue bonds for water infrastructure improvements. No discussion was held.
- Bond$39.5 million
Other
Closed session motion
Approved · 7-0
The Council voted to enter closed session for collective bargaining strategy and attorney-client matters, then to exit and adjourn.
What residents said
Sales tax increase for sports districtStreet activation at Sears blockJapantown access