🏟️ MLB in SLC gets closer to reality

Swinging for the Fences

Gov. Spencer Cox signed two bills into law that will set the framework for Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League in Salt Lake City. HB562 establishes the Utah Fairpark Area Investment Restoration District for redevelopment on the westside, potentially housing an MLB stadium. HB272 creates a downtown “revitalization” zone, setting the stage for a new arena for the Utah Jazz and a possible NHL team. [KSL]

• Related: Are SLC taxpayers buying dream teams for billionaires? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Mansion Melee

Park City residents are challenging the approval of Utah’s richest man, Matthew Prince’s, plans to build a sprawling mansion overlooking historic Main Street. The dispute stems from allegations that the proposed mansion exceeds height and size regulations, encroaches on sensitive lands, and impacts neighboring properties. The case will be reviewed by an appellate board appointed by the city council. [Salt Lake Tribune 🔒]

• Related: On the bright side, Prince is bringing Gwyneth Paltrow back to us. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Stuck in Park

Utah’s five national parks continue to struggle with stagnant attendance for the second consecutive year. Despite a record 92.4 million visits to national parks across the country in 2023 — and a tourism boom in 2021 — Utah’s parks experienced only a marginal increase in overall attendance. Bryce Canyon is the only national park in the state to see continuous attendance growth. [Axios Salt Lake]

• Related: There are still crowds, so try visiting these gems near the National Parks instead. [Hey Salt Lake 📰]

Updating SLC's General Plans

Salt Lake City’s rapid transformation has outpaced outdated growth plans, some unchanged for decades. With a newly codified “general plan,” city officials are working to foster collaboration among neighborhoods to shape a shared vision for the city’s future. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

This week we’re talking about geothermal energy, a bookstore recommendation, and hot takes about SLC.

📚 Central City Recommendation

“I absolutely adore the Legendarium Bookstore! They have an amazing selection of sci-fi and fantasy books with a spotlight on queer and BIPOC artists and writers. They even have a tiny coffee bar inside with delicious themed drinks. The whole bookstore is cozy and smells like coffee. With Dune being all the rage right now, I highly recommend stopping by for an Arrakis Spice Latte and having a browse.” — Kate S.

♨️ Big Geothermal Energy

“I’m really excited to see you mentioned geothermal energy in the Hey Salt Lake newsletter!! I study geothermal at the U. Major research is going on in Enhanced Geothermal Systems right here in Salt Lake City. The University of Utah is in charge of a $220 million [Department of Energy] project on it (though the field site is in Beaver County). Yet so few people know anything about it.” — Aileen Z.

🔥 Hot Takes

“Why don't the freeways have arrows on the asphalt letting you know it is merging?” — Bret C.

“I'm concerned about the air pollution. I otherwise love Salt Lake City, but the air pollution is a deal breaker for me. Unless the air quality improves big time, Salt Lake won't be my forever home.” — Diana C.

“Here is my hot take: I could care less about the walking [at the airport]. If you've been to Frankfurt, Chicago, LAX, or Amsterdam, you walk a lot. What is downright strange, medieval and cruel is the lack of surfaces. You cannot find one place to sit down and eat, drink your coffee, or heaven forbid, work in order to make the money to buy the plane ticket.

It's as though SLC hired someone with the creative brief of: "Imagine an airport where no business travelers come. Where people sit and wait and don't eat. Where they never need to use their iPad or laptop. Where they eat on their laps and sit on the floor to do work — build me that …”” — Heather M.

Why SLC Needs to (General) Plan Together

Salt Lake City is rapidly changing, but the plans that guide our growth haven’t kept up — some haven’t been updated for decades. Now, the city has a newly defined “general plan” in its code. Salt Lake City planning director Nick Norris joins host Ali Vallarta to explain the do’s and don’ts of general plans and how neighborhoods can work together toward a common vision for our city.