Detlefsen and Hazinski suggested adding three small theaters that could hold between 60 and 125 people; they also recommended cutting the number of seats in the Capitol Theatre from 1,800 to 1,500 to improve sight lines for cheaper seats.

Removing 300 seats from Capitol Theatre would be taking away 200 too many, said Johann Jacobs, Ballet West's executive director, because the ballet uses 1,600 to 1,700 seats on average for its performances. Any reduction wouldn't reflect demand; rather, it would accommodate patrons' long-standing requests for more comfortable seating and extra restrooms, particularly to fill "a dire need for women's restrooms," Jacobs said.

Less seating also may translate to more performances for the ballet company.

"If we go to (fewer) seats, that would create the opportunity to add performances," to keep up with demand, Jacobs said. "That's always a plus for an organization to add performances if the opportunity arises."

The consultants and Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce suggested that downtown businesses and the sponsors form a coalition, develop a master plan for the cultural district, figure out what to do with the proposed Utah Theatre on Main Street, incorporate the planetarium and other museums into the district, and use the cultural district as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment.

Downtown arts businesses will see the consultants' final report — a three-month, $40,000 effort — at a breakfast this morning with the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. A representative for the company that books Broadway shows for Capitol Theatre did not want to comment on the plan until this morning's briefing.

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