Old Salt Lake theater may get encore in arts district

William Becker will head a team of yet-to-be-determined community and business leaders that will make up the mayor's Downtown Theater Action Group. The group will be charged with investigating options for the location, size and financing of the theater and then making a recommendation to the mayor.

Thursday's press event comes a little more than a week after Sandy officials made public their preliminary plans for a Broadway theater, complete with a funding model and a feasibility study supporting the suburban city's cause.

Sandy wants to build a 2,500-plus-seat theater as part of an office, condominium and retail complex near Sandy City Hall. The city plans to hire a theater operator this summer, with 2011 as the target date for its opening.

Studies have indicated that the Salt Lake Valley can only support one such theater.

Mayor Becker said Salt Lake City plans to "move forward very aggressively" to establish a Broadway theater downtown, no matter what Sandy officials choose to do.

"We're aware that Sandy's anxious and wants to move forward with a theater," he said. "We anticipate they'll do what they feel is in the best interest of their community. That's their prerogative."

Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said he's fine with Salt Lake City wanting to build a Broadway-style theater, though he believes the market can only support one such theater.

"It just depends on who gets under way first," Dolan said. "I think we're further down the line than they'll be in a year. We're thinking of breaking ground this summer."

Dolan said Sandy officials are trying to do what's best for their residents, and he believes Salt Lake City leaders are doing the same for their city.

"I don't care what they do," he said.

Scott McQuarrie, the Utah County developer of the proposed Sandy theater, said he won't change his plans if Salt Lake City builds a theater. The capital city has been wanting to build a theater for decades and hasn't made progress, McQuarrie said.

"It certainly makes sense to do these one at a time," he said.

The plan for a Sandy theater is about 90 percent complete, said McQuarrie, who also developed Seven Peaks Water Park in Provo.

"It's been quite an exhaustive process," he said. "We've done our homework and we think it makes sense."

Salt Lake City officials disagree, saying if the valley can only support one theater, it should be built downtown. Salt Lake County has commissioned a study to assess the valley's performing arts needs, including the best location for Broadway-style theater. That study is not yet complete.

Bob Farrington, executive director of the Downtown Alliance, said a 2005 study commissioned by the city and county indicated the market would support such a theater while holding harmless existing art groups.

Salt Lake City also will rely heavily on William Becker's analysis of where the theater should be located and how it should be operated, the mayor said.

If Utah Theater doesn't become the grand theater, it could be utilized as a film center with two screening rooms and a 700-seat theater, Farrington said.

---

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com; rpalmer@desnews.com