SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — During the Housing and Transit Reinvestment Zone Committee meeting today, Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson made a compelling case for the revitalization of the Capital City Convention Center.
Mayor Wilson reflected on the ambitious vision that galvanized Salt Lake City sixty years ago.
“Sixty years ago, Salt Lake City stood at a crossroads.
Downtown was fading and its buildings aging.
But a generation of visionary leaders saw something more.
Governor Calvin Rampton, alongside local and civic leaders, led the charge to revitalize downtown and build the Salt Palace Convention Center, which opened in 1969.
It marked Utah’s bold entry into the convention business and launched a new era of success.
The Convention Center was modernized again in 1996.
Today, Wilson noted, Salt Lake City, along with the county and the convention industry, reaps significant benefits from the courageous investments made by leaders of the past.
“If we, today—government and community together—don’t continue that work, our social and economic advantage will slip away,” she warned.
She emphasized the collaborative efforts made over the past eighteen months by public officials, private partners, and community members that have culminated in today’s pivotal moment.
“We now have the opportunity to usher in a new era of investment in sports, entertainment, culture, and the convention economy,” she said.
Wilson highlighted Ryan Smith’s commitment to the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey as a continuation of Larry H. Miller’s legacy.
“His bold belief in Salt Lake led to the construction of the Delta Center in the early ‘90s, securing the Jazz and reenergizing downtown.
Today, we have the chance to do it again, on a bigger scale,” she remarked.
The Mayor also underscored the significance of arts and culture in fueling community growth.
Institutions like Capitol Theatre, Abravanel Hall, the Eccles Theater, and UMOCA have transformed downtown into a vibrant creative hub.
“These places aren’t just venues—they’re reflections of who we are,” she stated.
Moreover, Wilson stressed the importance of honoring the city’s diverse heritage.
“The opportunity to preserve and celebrate places like Japan Town reminds us: great cities don’t erase their history—they build on it,” she said.
As Temple Square undergoes its transformation, Wilson noted that it symbolizes honoring tradition while preparing for the future.
Reflecting on the past two years, she acknowledged that significant progress has been made despite numerous obstacles.
“I appreciate the patience of the community as Salt Lake City, the state, SEG, and Salt Lake County have worked to move forward and find a path for this revolutionary opportunity,” she expressed.
Today’s actions by the HTRZ committee mark a crucial step towards Salt Lake County’s investment in the revitalized district through a reimagined Salt Palace Convention Center.
Wilson described the new center as one that would be better connected to the growing downtown and the world-class airport, ready to host the biggest events in the nation and even the world by 2034.
“Yes, it will generate additional revenue—but more importantly, it will be a gathering place for Utahns and visitors to experience the best of our state,” she stated.
The Mayor concluded her remarks by recognizing that there is still much work ahead.
“Let’s remain committed as we are, once again, at a turning point in our capital city’s journey.
Like Governor Rampton and local leaders, we must think boldly.
Let’s invest in a downtown that’s economically strong, culturally rich, and deeply inclusive.
Let’s shape a future that honors our past and inspires generations to come,” Wilson urged.
She called on the committee to support today’s proposal as the next critical step toward realizing this exciting and necessary opportunity.
image source from：https://www.utahbusiness.com/press-releases/2025/04/14/salt-lake-county-mayor-jenny-wilson-downtown-sports-entertainment-culture-convention/
