The rise of rental incentives

TRAX Expansion

The prospect of a 2034 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics could accelerate a TRAX expansion project. The Utah Transit Authority has started on a study called Techlink TRAX that proposes faster service, more stops, and new lines. [KSL]

• Related: What will it take to have more accessible transit? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Smarty Pants

Utah ranked in the top five highest SAT scores according to a study by Nootroedge. The average score was 1,233 out of 1,600. Our neighbors in Idaho ranked 48th. [FOX 13]

Rental Incentives

If you’re looking for a place to rent in Salt Lake City, you might notice more incentives being offered — like two months free or hundreds of dollars off the first month. This is due to higher vacancy rates. Property managers are more likely to offer a concession than lower rent. And according to data from Zillow, Salt Lake City has the highest number of rental listings with a concession in the country’s 50 largest rental markets. [Salt Lake Tribune]

• Related: It’s officially cheaper to rent than buy. What now? [City Cast Salt lake 🎧]

Utah’s Housing Crisis

Higher vacancy rates are the reason for a higher number of rental concessions, so does that mean Utah’s housing crisis is over? Or has it just changed shape? In today’s episode of City Cast Salt Lake, host Ali Vallarta and Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson address this important question. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

As the weather turns cold, we’re indulging in all things comfy/cozy, and it seems you are, too. This is what Hey Salt Lake readers are reading and eating.

🥞 On Best Pancakes

“I'm so surprised Penny Ann's Cafe is not listed on the best pancakes. They are perfectly and consistently cooked. They also sell a mix to stir in your own sour cream at home. Can't miss these, seriously. They are called Home of the Heavenly Hotcakes.” — Pamela H.

📚 On What You’re Reading

“Currently reading ‘The Book of Two Ways’ by Jodi Picoult and ‘Trees of the Emerald Sea’ by Brandon Sanderson!” — Melanie P.

“Just finished ‘Powder Days’ by Heather Hansman. It's a light read on the heavy stuff that ski towns experience like racial inequality, gentrification, housing shortages, addiction, global warming, being in the 'suicide belt' ... oh and great ski days. The Wasatch is featured a bunch. Me and my partner are 2nd and 3rd gen ski towners and it hit the nail on the head in so many ways.” — Justice M.

“‘The Bee Sting’ by Paul Murray and re-reading ‘Cutting for Stone’ by Abraham Verghese after loving his latest book ‘The Covenant of Water.’” — Dotti G.

“Hi! I am about to start ‘A Very Merry Meet Cute.’ A good friend recommended it. She promised that it’s smutty!” — Vicki H.

“Well, lately I've been re-reading ‘The Magic of Xanth’ by Piers Anthony. I've been reading those books as well as others by him since I was a pre-teen.” — Sunshine C.

With Empty Apartments, Are We Really in a Housing Crisis?

Utah’s housing crisis is one of the central topics we’ve explored on this show; what we’ve heard for years is there just isn’t enough housing supply to meet demand. So imagine our surprise at recent reporting that points to an oversupply of Salt Lake apartments, sitting empty in our city. On City Cast Salt Lake’s second anniversary, Building Salt Lake editor Taylor Anderson joins host Ali Vallarta to answer the question: Are we in a housing crisis or not?