☕ New coffee shop in the Aves

The Salt Lake City School District closed four elementary schools in 2024. Now, officials have hired consultants to figure out what to do with the properties — and they want to hear from you.

• The elementary schools in question are Mary W. Jackson on the west side of the city and Bennion and Hawthorne on the east. The district already has plans to convert Riley, another school that closed, into a career and technical education center. The remaining three could become green space, housing, or other community resources. The school board could also sell the sites. [Salt Lake Tribune]
• The schools closed due to a decline in population, and the decision was extremely controversial at the time. The Salt Lake City School District warns more could suffer the same fate, based on projected enrollment and other criteria. [City Cast Salt Lake, Salt Lake Tribune]
• School shutdowns are in the works in other parts of the state, too. The new Timpanogos School District in Utah County is studying 13 elementaries and junior highs for closure, based on a drop in enrollment. [FOX 13]
• Weigh in on what the Salt Lake City School District should do with the shuttered schools. Take the survey until the end of the month, or give public comment at an upcoming board meeting. The next one is Tuesday, Sept. 15. [Salt Lake City School District]

Flood Relief in Poplar Grove

In August, a broken water main flooded 15 homes in Poplar Grove. Now, the Westside Coalition is looking to raise $10,000 to help with temporary housing and repairs. Help a neighbor out? [Westside Flood Relief]

Bionic Invention in Our Backyard

University of Utah researchers, in partnership with local neurotechnology startup BIOS, have developed a bionic hand that can move with thoughts. A small chip implanted near the patient’s shoulder reads and sends brain signals to and from the arm in just 10 milliseconds. [Utah Business]

New Avenues Coffee Shop

A lovely new coffee and tea house, Gramercy, is set to open this Saturday (fingers crossed) in the lower Avenues. Find them on Instagram or sign-up for grand opening alerts. [Gramercy]

Would Our MLB Team Win?

Larry H. Miller Company wants a Major League Baseball team on Salt Lake City’s westside, and the odds are in their favor. Once the excitement wears off, are Miller-owned teams competitive? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]