SALT LAKE CITY — Although there is not yet a team, Salt Lake City is one step closer to welcoming Major League Baseball to town.
The city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to rezone a portion of the west side, located southwest of the Utah State Fairpark in an area called the "Power District." The rezoning will allow residential and mixed-use development, with the big picture of allowing the Larry H. Miller Group to develop the 95-acre site into an MLB stadium and other new amenities surrounding it.
Renderings were released earlier this year, showing plans for green space, trails, a beautified Jordan River area, housing, local dining, and retail — in an area that will be walkable, bikeable and connected to public transportation.
SLC Councilwoman Victoria Petro spoke with FOX 13 News before Tuesday night's meeting.
"The larger vision is that it's going to be a residential mixed-use," she said. "There will be some commercial, bars, [and] we're going to activate the river in ways it has never been activated. There's a possibility we'll also have some jobs with significant economic availability with some flex space."
"I think that this represents a historic opportunity for those residents," Councilman Chris Wharton added, "and I hope that we can live up to that, and I think that we can with this agreement that we have. "
The Larry H. Miller Group expressed their gratitude for the council's vote.
"It is an historic investment in Salt Lake City’s west side and will create a place for Utah’s families to gather and thrive," their statement read in part. "We look forward to continuing to work with our community, city and state partners to ensure we develop a connecting point for families, culture, business, and recreation."
