The Salt Lake City Council approved a development agreement on Sept. 9, 2025, allowing for the construction of a seven-story parking garage at the Delta Center. The agreement, reached with Jazz Arena Investors LLC, provides necessary zoning variances to facilitate the project at the southwest corner of the arena.
Garage Specifications and Purpose
The proposed parking garage will be built over an existing surface-level parking lot located at the southwest corner of the Delta Center. According to the City of Salt Lake City, the seven-story structure will include 448 stalls designed to serve Delta Center visitors and streamline movement for those attending events. The facility will also feature a secure entrance for authorized staff and a loading dock intended for large vehicles, such as delivery trucks.
Zoning and Traffic Adjustments
To address traffic concerns, the development agreement allows for a wider exit driveway on 400 W. This modification is intended to improve event exit traffic by permitting two lanes of vehicles to depart simultaneously. The agreement also addresses specific zoning requirements that the project would otherwise fail to meet. Specifically, the city is waiving the requirement for active ground-floor uses along street-facing sides, though the developer must provide additional landscaping and visual design features in exchange.
Planning Commission Recommendations
The Salt Lake City Council reached the decision following a recommendation from the Planning Commission on Aug. 13. During that meeting, the commission suggested several conditions for approval, including the addition of more visual features on street-facing walls and the use of aluminum-style panels on the loading area to match the upper levels of the building. The commission also emphasized the need for expanded bicycle parking near the main arena entrances and increased landscaping to create a buffer between the garage and the street.
Community and Art Requirements
As part of the agreement, the developer is required to provide several community improvements. This includes the construction of three bike racks on the block, each with space for 15 bicycles. Additionally, the developer must install landscaping consisting of trees and shrubs along 100 S. and 400 W. The agreement also mandates that the applicant provide at least $75,000 for public art or similar improvements at the intersection of 100 S. and 400 W. This funding will be coordinated with the City Arts Council and the Planning Division and will not be drawn from the public benefit ticket fee established in the Participation Agreement between the City and SEG.
Public Opposition and Oversight
The approval process included public testimony where residents expressed concerns regarding the development. During a public hearing held on Sept. 2, two residents spoke against the proposal, citing inadequate pedestrian design and expressing worry that the agreement might set a precedent for bypassing established city rules. The Council addressed these concerns during a follow-up briefing on the same day, discussing the specific conditions required to ensure the agreement's requirements are met.
Compliance and Enforcement
To ensure compliance, the Salt Lake City Council established that the developer will be subject to daily fines if the terms of the development agreement are not followed. The Council noted that this development agreement is distinct from the separate 'Development Agreement' required under the Participation Agreement between the City and the arena stakeholders.
Project Context
The development project aims to make it easier for people to enter and exit the arena during major events. The project plan includes a focus on matching the aesthetic of the new garage with the existing structures through specific material requirements and visual features.
