University of Utah baseball field lease at Sunnyside Park
A 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres to expand the university baseball field to NCAA standards, removing one softball field and one multipurpose field. The university commits $4.2 million for Sunnyside Park improvements. Approved March 5, 2024.
Approved
- Type
- Development agreement
- Location
- About 1735 Sunnyside Avenue
- Size
- 1.175 acres
- Applicant
- University of Utah
- City Council: University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis and ground lease at Sunnyside Park
- City Council work session: University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis (follow-up)
- City Council: University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis (public hearing)
- City Council: Consent: set Feb. 20 hearings and approve grants
- City Council work session: University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis
In brief
University of Utah baseball field lease at Sunnyside Park appears on 5 recorded agendas, from the City Council meeting of February 6, 2024 to the City Council work session meeting of March 5, 2024.
On record, it was approved 2 times and tabled once.
The most recent decision was approved (6-0) at the City Council meeting of March 5, 2024.
Follow the money and project delivery
University of Utah baseball field lease at Sunnyside Park
- Council action
Approved according to the dated project source. Record → · March 5, 2024
- Money in the record
land: $4.20 million — University commitment to the city for Sunnyside Park improvements in exchange for a 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres Record → · March 5, 2024
- Signed agreement and payments
Execution and project-level disbursements are not verified by this tracker. They require separate records; meeting approval alone does not establish either.
- Work and operating costs
Check the linked records for completion and recurring operating costs; this tracker does not verify them. Record →
Every hearing and vote
March 5, 2024 · City Council
University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis and ground lease at Sunnyside Park
Approved · 6-0
The Council adopted Resolution 6 of 2024, approving the public benefit analysis, finding the lease fee waiver appropriate and authorizing a 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres at about 1735 Sunnyside Avenue to the University of Utah. The land would let the university expand its baseball field to meet NCAA requirements, and would remove one city softball field and one multipurpose field at Sunnyside Park. In exchange the university would commit $4.2 million for improvements and new amenities at the park, chosen through community engagement. Council Member Dugan thanked those involved in the analysis and said he was excited about park improvements; Council Member Lopez Chavez said she was excited to conserve the park in partnership with the university.
- Resolution 06 of 2024
- Lease: 99 years, 1.175 acres
March 5, 2024 · City Council work session
University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis (follow-up)
Discussed
Staff updated the council on terms for the proposed 99-year ground lease at Sunnyside Park: public access to the university facility, rental costs set to cover operations, restrooms in the leased area open to the public when no university events are scheduled, a proposed July 1, 2024 construction start, plans for the sequoia trees, rebuilding and relocating the softball and multipurpose fields, and a proposed term sheet describing the public benefit.
February 20, 2024 · City Council
University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis (public hearing)
Tabled · 7-0
Fifteen speakers addressed a proposed 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres at about 1735 Sunnyside Avenue, which would remove a softball field and a multipurpose field in exchange for $4.2 million from the university. Several speakers supported it, citing park reinvestment and benefits for youth sports; others opposed or asked for more study, citing use fees, the length of the lease, neighborhood parking and safety, field loss, and whether the money would go to the General Fund rather than open space. One speaker asked for pedestrian and vehicle safety terms for construction. The council closed the hearing and deferred action.
February 6, 2024 · City Council
Consent: set Feb. 20 hearings and approve grants
Approved · 7-0
On consent, the council set Feb. 20, 2024 hearings on the Avenues restrictive covenant release, the rezone at 2260-2290 East 1300 South, the community benefit and tenant displacement amendments, Budget Amendment No. 4 (over $1.8 million for police overtime for the Clean Neighborhoods Program, three Fleet mechanics, $230,000 for air quality incentives and short-term rental compliance software) and the University of Utah baseball lease at Sunnyside Park. It also approved Grant Holding Account Items (Batch No. 4).
February 6, 2024 · City Council work session
University of Utah baseball stadium public benefits analysis
Discussed
The council was briefed on a resolution that would authorize a 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres at about 1735 Sunnyside Avenue to the University of Utah to expand its baseball field to NCAA standards, removing one city softball field and one multipurpose field in Sunnyside Park. In exchange the university would commit $4.2 million for park improvements, with amenities set through community engagement. Mayor Erin Mendenhall said no executed contract existed. Council members asked how to ensure the funds are spent at Sunnyside Park (through the agreement), about land value and impact fees, and about adding public benefit language to the resolution. A hearing was set for Feb. 20.