Thursday, October 15, 2026TheUtah Ledger

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University of Utah baseball stadium at Sunnyside Park

Proposed 99-year below-market ground lease of 1.175 acres of Sunnyside Park to the University of Utah for a baseball field meeting NCAA requirements, removing a softball field and a multipurpose field; the university would commit $4.2 million for park improvements.

Where it stands
Tabled
Type
Development agreement
Location
Approximately 1735 Sunnyside Avenue
Size
1.175 acres
Applicant
University of Utah

Every hearing and vote

  1. 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).

    Moved by Council Member Chris Wharton, seconded by Council Member Daniel Dugan. Vote: 7-0 (consent)

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

    Moved by Council Member Daniel Dugan, seconded by Council Member Chris Wharton. Vote: 7-0 to close hearing and defer action

  4. 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.