Water Damage Restoration in Salt Lake City, UT

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

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Editor’s note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake — and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.

Brian Moench says the Utah Inland Port Authority’s plans for new development spanning the Wasatch Front and multiple counties is a death knell for Utah’s environment, thousands of acres of wetlands and a threat to millions of birds.

And a threat to our public health.

“It is a ticking nuclear time bomb of a disappearing Great Salt Lake,” Moench warned during a Wednesday press conference detailing multiple groups’ objections to inland ports planned for Tooele, Weber, Utah and Box Elder counties.

Moench, who is president of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, says the degradation of wetlands, threats to migratory birds and paving the ground should be enough to give one pause.

But there is something else.

“There is no toe tag in the morgue that says air pollution did this,” he emphasized, pointing to the resulting air pollution that causes heart attacks, other cardiac issues such as strokes, Alzheimer’s and more.

The coalition of organizations released a new report detailing what they say are the threats from inland port development, and planned to present a petition to port authorities later on Wednesday opposing an encroachment they say upends much of the work that has been done to save the Great Salt Lake.

At the state Capitol, the group held signs that proclaimed “Protect our Wetlands Not our Pockets.”

But Ben Hart, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, said in reaction that coalition critics are vastly mischaracterizing their objections.

“This group is definitely trying to raise and elevate issues associated with the Great Salt Lake in the wetlands, kind of using the port as a shooting target. The reality is, this report is totally disconnected from what the port is actually doing,” he said. “We’ve gone to great lengths to protect the wetlands in areas where we’re supporting development. That includes actually putting, as of last month, $2.5 million towards grants to help protect wetlands.”

Aside from tax breaks to promote development, opponents assert the Utah Inland Port Authority has operated with little scrutiny and instead promotes development that threatens Utah landscapes.

“It is very dire,” said Deeda Seed, with the Center for Biological Diversity.

But Hart said no potential port development waltzes into a community without permission and actually has to have the blessing of communities looking to diversify their economic base.

“We also have specific wetland policy in one of our projects areas, project areas up in Weber County. This specifically states that wetlands cannot be destroyed, and then our overall wetlands policy was broadened today to protect additional wetlands. So this report is totally disconnected from what the port is actually doing,” he said. “But I will say we all have the same common objectives. We want to protect the lake. We want to help protect the wetlands surrounding the lake, and that’s very important to the inland port. So this report is definitely not accurate, and it’s not representative of what the port is actually doing. We are not involved in the destruction of wetlands.”

While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mandates a special permit for wetlands “taking,” advocates said the port authority is likely able to get around that because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that redefined what wetlands should be protected.

The wetlands fight

The Waters of the United States Rule decision said permanent wetlands fall under protection, but not those that are ephemeral.

An Obama-era rule issued in 2015 was lauded by environmental activists and conservation groups as the most significant and impressive overhaul of the Clean Water Act in 42 years.

Groups like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said the Obama rule clarified federal jurisdiction over seasonal streams — which involves 60% of the stream miles in the United States — and was critical for the Prairie Pothole region which hosts 70% of the ducks in North America.

Advocates Wednesday argued that same definition over seasonal streams or ephemeral wetlands is equally critical in Utah, where millions of migrating birds use the Great Salt Lake and its uplands to rest, feed and ready themselves for the next journey.

Yet the consequences of this “subsidized industrial development” will be profound.

For example, in the Tooele Valley, water resources are tapped out and wells are running dry. Local officials are saying they need to import water from somewhere else to sustain growth, but that will mean diverting more water away from the dying Great Salt Lake. As this crisis is unfolding, the state, through the Utah Inland Port Authority, is fast-tracking industrial development in and adjacent to wetlands in a way that will make the problem worse.

At threat are Wildlife Management Areas designed to protect waterfowl and other critical Utah wildlife.

But critics of the Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, under President Barack Obama argued its definition was overly broad and a hamstring for development — meaning anything “wet” is potentially subject to regulation. That definition was overturned.

That creates a problem for Utah, with its seasonal weather, periods of drought and the fickle nature of wetlands.

The Utah Inland Port Authority is seeking to develop hubs in multiple counties to build on Utah’s economic development. Hart said that includes a meat processing plant in Juab County and rail infrastructure in Iron County — which cuts down on traffic and actually helps fight pollution.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

SALT LAKE CITY — With a complete overhaul of 200 South, 300 West, 900 South and 1100 East/Highland Drive now complete, along with a large chunk of 2100 South, Salt Lake City transportation officials say they're targeting changes to another street where elevated safety concerns exist.

A full reconstruction of 600/700 North between 800 West and Redwood Road is in the works after nearly five years of planning. Construction will start next year, coinciding with work to replace the bridge over the Jordan River near 650 North, as the road switches from 600 to 700 North between the Rose Park and Fairpark neighborhoods.

It's expected to create major traffic impacts for most of the next two years on a road that attracts over 21,000 vehicle trips every day.

"I think we've done a good job keeping it on folk's radars over the last four years ... and now is the time it becomes real, so we're certainly trying to give people a heads-up to know what to expect," said Kyle Cook, a transportation engineer for Salt Lake City.

Handling an 'intense' road

The project differs from a bond that residents passed in 2018, which funded most of the other large road construction projects in recent years. The bond tackled many busy corridors, but not 600/700 North, which connects with both I-15 and I-215 and serves as a crucial east-west connecting road.

City transportation officials determined that the road "failing" pavement, storm drain issues and other infrastructure needs made it a strong candidate for a complete reconstruction, Cook explained. It didn't help that its bridge over the Jordan River had also fallen into disrepair, so work began to make major improvements.

Planners found other issues that could be addressed in the project as they reviewed the road further. They found that angled crashes accounted for over half of crashes, while three-fourths of all crashes happened within intersections.

"We heard a lot about how the road is kind of intense. There's high-speed traffic, (and) the design of the street is somewhat unwelcoming for people walking or biking," Cook told KSL.com on Wednesday. "It's just not a comfortable corridor to be on."

Planning began in 2020 to address all of these issues, which included some unique forms of public comment. COVID-19 made it difficult to hold normal open house meetings, but city transportation officials created online surveys and held in-person demonstrations of what a newly designed road could look like.

It culminated in two construction projects that will overlap starting next year. Salt Lake City will oversee a complete overhaul of the road, creating a median separating the two travel directions while adding enhanced crosswalks, new bike paths separated from the roadway, extended curbs and new bus stops.

The Utah Department of Transportation will take on the task of replacing the bridge over the Jordan River since it's become structurally deficient.

Funding for the $20 million project comes from a mix of sources, including a city sales tax bond and UDOT's transportation investment fund.

More major road construction

Construction won't begin until the spring of 2025, but Salt Lake City is getting the word out early because both projects are expected to create significant travel impacts.

The bridge replacement, while important, is going to be "especially impactful" because it's expected to close a section of the road for six to eight months once bridge work begins, which is why state and city officials decided to lump both projects together, Cook said. By working at the same time, the two sides hope to "consolidate the impacts" of both.

"With the road project, we can keep travel lanes open and that sort of thing. But with this bridge project, it's going to be necessary to close the street completely," he said. "It's a major corridor, so we're going to have detoured traffic and some pretty major travel impacts for that period of time."

Additional construction is scheduled for 2026, wrapping up by the end of that year.

A 'generational investment'

The city held a community open house on Tuesday and plans to advertise the project more in early 2025 because of the anticipated impacts. Cook said he understands that it will be difficult on people who rely on the road, but he believes it's also a "generational investment" for the city's west side — addressing a need residents have called for.

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said it's also viewed as a crucial project in citywide efforts to address traffic safety. Utah's capital announced plans last year to join the Vision Zero Network after a spike in roadway deaths across the city.

The mayor told KSL.com on Tuesday that data from the new 600/700 North section, along with other recently configured roads, will ultimately be used in future road construction projects.

"The improvements we are tracking and will continue to track — from a public safety perspective — will help us inform what kind of benefits we can get from similar capital investments in other parts of the city," she said.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.

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Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.

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On June 5, 1998, in Salt Lake City, UT, the spotlight was on Michael Jordan during game two of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center. However, it’s a tale from years later that has resurfaced, involving former Lakers player Ron Artest, who has long been recognized as one of the most formidable figures in the league.

During an episode of Byron Scott's Fast Break podcast, Artest shared a striking revelation: he once unintentionally broke Michael Jordan's ribs in a 2001 matchup. "That was wild," he remarked. "When I first faced Mike, it was in the summer, and I accidentally injured him. It wasn’t a deliberate hit; it was all part of the game. You know how competitive Mike is. He was giving it 100% as always. I was just 19, and I guess he didn't fully grasp how strong I was at that time."

In the aftermath of the incident, rumors began to swirl that Artest had engaged in a physical altercation with Jordan, purportedly punching him in the process. This narrative took Artest by surprise, as it was a storyline he never intended to fuel. "Then the reports started dropping, saying that Ron Artest punched Mike and broke his ribs... I was like, 'What?" he expressed incredulously.

Read more: Celtics Dominate Pistons in Tatum's Absence: Key Insights from the Game

Historically branded as one of the 'bad boys' of the NBA, Artest frequently found himself in the midst of controversies, including the legendary Malice at the Palace brawl, a moment that will forever loom in his legacy. Yet, it's vital to acknowledge the tremendous strides he has taken to reshape his public persona since hanging up his sneakers.

Meanwhile, the NBA landscape continues to captivate fans, with fresh trade discussions emerging surrounding the Chicago Bulls, and Anthony Edwards making headlines as he breaks new ground in Timberwolves history.

Read more: Thunder Coach Analyzes Houston Rockets' Defensive Prowess Ahead of Semifinal Showdown

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Salt Lake City is rapidly changing. It used to be a traditional city in every sense of the word, and it’s now changing its face – culturally, and economically. It is now a business-oriented city, with an undeniable surge in entrepreneurial activities.

The Salt Lake City Tribune even called Utah the “Startup State”.

Surge in Entrepreneurial Activity

In 2023, Utah saw a significant increase in small business applications, with numbers rising nearly 9% from the previous year to 71,262 applications. Salt Lake County led this growth, jumping from 23,263 to 26,690 applications.

Booming Startup Scene

Recent funding rounds highlight the city’s growing influence in technology and innovation. In April 2022, laundry services marketplace SudShare secured a $10 million seed round, enabling it to expand operations to 500 cities nationwide. Similarly, in March 2023, Lilac Solutions, focusing on lithium extraction from Utah’s Great Salt Lake, raised $145 million in a Series C funding round. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the investment supports efforts in sourcing lithium for electric vehicle batteries.

Prominent startups like Pluralsight, an online learning platform valued at over $3.5 billion, and Domo, a data integration cloud platform valued at approximately $2.28 billion, underscore the city’s thriving tech ecosystem. Additionally, Marq (formerly Lucidpress), a significant player in design software, contributes to this dynamic environment.

Robust Venture Capital Support

The startup growth in Salt Lake City is bolstered by a strong venture capital presence. The Kickstart Fund, a seed-stage firm based in the city, has invested in over 150 companies since its inception. Similarly, EPIC Ventures, specializing in early-stage tech investments, provides crucial support to startups in the region.

State initiatives further enhance this support. Utah’s Innovation Fund aims to boost local startups and retain investments within the state, focusing on ventures with long-term potential that might be overlooked by traditional investors. And it’s all governmentally supported. USTAR (Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative) offers competitive grants and entrepreneur support programs to translate ideas and research into marketable products and companies.

Financial Services Sector Growth

The financial activities sector remains a cornerstone of Utah’s economy, significantly contributing to the state’s GDP. In 2021, it was among the top industries driving economic growth. Employment in this sector in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area reached approximately 63,900 individuals as of October 2024, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous year.

Major financial institutions have established a strong presence in the city:

Challenges Amid Growth

Despite the positive trajectory, some businesses have faced economic pressures leading to closures. Small businesses like Les Madeleines, a renowned bakery, closed after 19 years due to factors like inflation and labor shortages. Additionally, Armstrong Teasdale announced the closure of its Salt Lake City office in 2024, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission decided to close its regional office.

Like all American small businesses, interest rates are carrying a heavy burden and is a leading factor in the demise of failing businesses. Bank loans cost about 7-8% a year now, with bad credit business loans costing up to 40% APR.

Cultural Transformation

As a part of the regrowth and rebrand of Salt Lake City, the city is becoming more inclusive, with a growing LGBTQ+ population and a decline in residents identifying with the LDS Church, fostering a diverse social environment. The cultural scene is vibrant, featuring a diverse culinary landscape and an expanding arts community.

SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of Utah's capital city swung for the fences Tuesday, approving three agreements to finalize plans for a new Fairpark district that could house a Major League Baseball team someday.

The Salt Lake City Council voted unanimously to approve a proposed rezoning of 93 acres the Larry H. Miller Company owns from the Jordan River to Redwood Road and North Temple to I-80, also known as the Power District. The council also approved a development agreement with the company.

The vote included a provision that the city enter into a development agreement outlining terms of future growth plans, including affordable housing goals. To provide transparency, the city also plans to create an annual audit of city costs and sales taxes tied to the project.

"I'm thankful that we have found an agreement," Salt Lake City Councilman Alejandro Puy said moments before the vote. "We are here together to sign an agreement to hopefully welcome (an MLB) baseball team to Salt Lake City. I will be joyful to see that happen."

City leaders also authorized Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall to agree to terms with the new Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District on services in the Fairpark area — to an extent. The latter deal confirms the two sides agree to work together on future agreements over services Salt Lake City will provide for the area.

Finalizing terms

The rezone opens the door for buildings up to 400 feet tall in the Fairpark area, given that projects of that height receive additional clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Buildings over 200 feet would also go through a review-design process with the city.

There are no required minimum lot sizes, widths or setbacks. However, after weeks of public negotiation, Salt Lake City and the Larry H. Miller Company finalized language in a 40-year development agreement that adds other terms for future growth plans.

Under the final agreement:

The deal includes an opt-out clause should Salt Lake City incentivize a current MLB owner to relocate to Utah's capital over the first 10 years of the deal, as well as two five-year extensions to the clause.

In return, the Miller Company agreed to a few terms from the city:

Salt Lake City Council Chairwoman Victoria Petro told KSL.com that affordable and family-sized housing was the "first and last" consideration that anchored negotiations.

"It is where we started the conversation, and we wouldn't have moved if we hadn't gotten it," she said, adding that discussions weren't contentious but required extensive work to find the right wording that worked for everyone.

The two sides agreed to share efforts to address future issues in the zone. These include future public safety and transportation challenges, as well as future plans that could include tunnels or bridges to help people cross North Temple.

Tuesday's vote completes a requirement outlined in HB562, a bill legislators approved earlier this year. The bill created multiple things, including a new Fairpark district and up to $900 million in state funds for a new MLB stadium, as well as a requirement for Salt Lake City to reach a zoning agreement by the end of the year.

The Miller Company launched Big League Utah last year, a coalition aiming to bring an MLB expansion franchise to Utah. A stadium would be built within the Fairpark district along with new mixed-use development. Had a rezone not been approved, the city would have lost zoning regulation control of the land as outlined in the bill.

Company officials called Tuesday night's vote "an important step in the development process" for the district, which redevelops old Rocky Mountain Power land.

"It is a historic investment in Salt Lake City's west side and will create a place for Utah's families to gather and thrive," the statement read, in part. "We look forward to continuing to work with our community, city and state partners to ensure we develop a connecting point for families, culture, business and recreation."

An additional Fairpark agreement

Salt Lake City also authorized Mendenhall to finalize an agreement with the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District on services like water and public safety within the area of the city, meeting another deadline written in HB562.

However, the agreement itself is thin. Petro explained that the two sides agreed that since there hasn't been a lot of development since the bill was created this year, and there aren't concrete plans as to how large the area will become, they should only commit to keep discussing services as future needs emerge.

The initial agreement includes some baseline terms. Salt Lake City agreed to provide "the same municipal services" to the Fairpark district as it provides other parts of the city "with similar zoning and development levels." In exchange, the city will receive a quarter of the enhanced property taxes within the district boundary.

The city will also receive additional reimbursement from the district board because the increase in property tax values isn't expected to cover the cost of services, at least early on.

Rachel Otto, chief of staff for Mendenhall, said the city needs these "safeguards" to prevent service shortages or a need to raise citywide taxes, which is a major concern the city had with the legislation.

Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, chairman of the district board, celebrated the completion of both agreements finalizing the Fairpark district. In a statement on Tuesday, Sandall said the board is looking forward to the next planning steps picking up in 2025.

"We appreciate the months of negotiations that have helped ensure a vibrant, catalytic future for this area on the west side of Salt Lake City," he said, in part. "We appreciate the collaborative process the city and the Larry H. Miller Company have undertaken and the good faith efforts of both parties throughout this process."

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