Salt Lake City Approves Zoning for Smith's Ballpark Redevelopment and Partial Demolition

Salt Lake City Approves Zoning for Smith’s Ballpark Redevelopment and Partial Demolition

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Partial demolition of the former Smith’s Ballpark is expected to begin by 2028.

This follows a recent decision by Salt Lake City leaders to approve new zoning for the site, moving from long-term planning to active execution.

The site, once the home of the Salt Lake Bees, is transitioning into a multi-use district. According to reporting from KSL, the city is moving toward a mix of housing, business spaces, open areas, a new library, and a fire station.

The transition changes the future of the Ballpark neighborhood. For months, the project sat in a state of regulatory limbo, but the recent zoning approval has cleared the path for physical changes to the landscape.

Salt Lake City Mayor hosts town hall on Smith's Ballpark redevlopment

Zoning changes set the stage for construction

Salt Lake City recently transferred ownership of the stadium to the Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA), a city entity tasked with driving redevelopment in specific urban areas. This transfer, combined with newly approved zoning, allows for building heights of up to 95 feet under certain conditions.

Mayor Erin Mendenhall noted that the land transfer process took longer than anticipated, which delayed the project’s momentum. To keep the area from becoming a dead zone during the wait, the city extended its partnership with Cornerstone Technologies to host events at the stadium through at least mid-2027.

The city is currently investing in a feasibility study to determine the most effective mix of developments. This study aims to prevent a “half-completed project” by ensuring the site can support a cohesive blend of uses, including at least five acres of open space.

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“The reality that is happening now is it’s not about planning anymore; it is execution,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall.

The timeline for demolition and redevelopment

While the vision is set, the physical transformation will move in stages. The CRA expects to begin searching for demolition contractors by mid-2027, though actual demolition work may not commence until 2028.

The redevelopment process could follow this sequence:

  • Mid-2027: The CRA may begin seeking demolition contractors.
  • 2027: The city could issue its first request for development proposals, likely focusing on the stadium’s old parking lot.
  • 2028: Partial demolition of the stadium structure is projected to begin.
  • Post-2028: Construction of new housing, businesses, and civic infrastructure.

One element of the stadium itself will be preserved. The city plans to keep portions of the existing structure to serve as a future event venue.

Market conditions influence Utah development speed

The speed of this transformation depends heavily on the broader Utah development market. Danny Walz, director of the Community Reinvestment Agency, pointed out that higher interest rates, rising material costs, and financing hurdles have slowed construction across the region.

The city is weighing two different strategies to manage the massive scale of the project. They may appoint a single master developer to oversee the entire site at once, or they may break the land into smaller parcels to allow for incremental redevelopment if the market remains cautious.

To encourage interest, Salt Lake City intends to designate the area as an opportunity zone. These zones provide tax benefits to developers who invest in underserved or abandoned areas, a tactic that has previously helped spark growth in the nearby Granary District.

Public funding requirements meet community expectations

While private developers will handle much of the site, the city faces its own hurdles. Building a new library and fire station will require public funding, a difficult prospect given recent budget concerns in Salt Lake City.

“It’s time to turn the vision into reality,” said Toni Allison, chair of the Ballpark Action Team board.

The city is also looking for ways to generate immediate revenue from the site. This could include a rebranding effort that assigns new naming rights to the area, potentially replacing the old stadium signage as the site evolves.

The ultimate goal is to create a diverse range of housing types to maintain affordability and prevent the displacement of current residents. However, the exact timeline for when a resident can move into a new apartment or when a business can sign a lease remains unknown.

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