SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah—Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and the County Council have approved the sale of approximately 6.5 acres of County-owned land in downtown Salt Lake City to Smith Entertainment Group (SEG). The transaction supports a larger redevelopment plan aimed at modernizing the Salt Palace Convention Center and enhancing the downtown area.
The land, located between South Temple and 100 South and 200 and 300 West, currently contains part of the Salt Palace Convention Center’s exhibit space. The property is surrounded by major venues, including Delta Center, Abravanel Hall, City Creek Center, and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art.
The sale was negotiated at market value. SEG will acquire and redevelop the land, with demolition of the existing exhibit hall space to follow. A redesigned portion of the Salt Palace will be constructed elsewhere on the site. Construction will be phased to allow part of the convention center to remain in use during the process.
Salt Lake County also announced plans to release a request for proposals to select an architectural firm to redesign nearly half of the Salt Palace’s footprint.
County officials highlighted multiple long-term benefits of the sale, including converting tax-exempt land into a taxable asset, increased tourism revenue, and infrastructure improvements. The arrival of the Utah Hockey Club in April 2024 has doubled the number of major sporting events at Delta Center, boosting downtown economic activity.
The resolution passed by the County Council supports upgrades to the Salt Palace, including a second ballroom that would allow two conventions to run concurrently. These improvements are expected to generate an additional $105 million in annual economic impact, with an estimated $6.3 million in new sales tax revenue for the state, $4.2 million for Salt Lake County, and $1 million for Salt Lake City.
The sale also includes plans to rebuild back-of-house areas at Abravanel Hall and collaborate with the Utah Symphony and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art to support future developments. The closing of the property sale is pending procedural approvals and final documentation.
