Theater would pump $3.3 million into economy, study says

Financing for a $81.5 million grand theater in downtown Salt Lake City is "practical and achievable" and would pump about $3.3 million into Utah's economy annually, according to a report of the Downtown Theater Action Group.

Chairman Bill Becker held a press conference today to summarize the committee's work over the past 4 1/2 months to identify potential sites, financing options and economic benefits of a 2,400-seat theater capable of hosting touring Broadway productions.

The findings will be presented this week to Becker's brother, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, who then will take the recommendations to the City Council.

The committee is recommending that the city begin negotiations with property owners on six potential sites and commence work with the state and Salt Lake County on funding options.

Bill Becker, a Tony Award-winning producer and experienced theater developer, owner and manager, was appointed by the mayor on Feb. 28 to spearhead the city's theater-development plans, with the top priority being finding a suitable location for a theater.

"We feel this new downtown theater will be a spark plug to encourage the further development of the arts throughout the state and integrate the extraordinary artistic endeavors we find throughout Utah," Bill Becker said.

The Downtown Theater Action Committee, made up of local business leaders and members of the arts community, identified four primary locations for the theater.

Renovation of the historic Utah Theater at 148 S. Main remains a top option, along with the former Newspaper Agency Corp. press site on Regent Street; the parking lot behind the Peery Hotel on the corner of Pierpont Avenue and 300 South; and the parking lot on the southwest corner of 300 South and West Temple, across the street from the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.

"All four, no matter where the theater ends up being located, would contribute substantially to the economic vitality of Salt Lake City," he said. "They would enrich the development of the cultural arts in the city and throughout the state."

Each of the locations has convenient parking, Becker said, and all are in close proximity to the city's mass-transit system.

The committee also is recommending that the consider two other sites — land available as part of the Camden Centre development planned on the block between 100 South, 200 South, 500 West and 600 West; and a 3-acre parcel immediately north of Grand America on the corner of 500 South and Main Street.