SLC.gov

Aug. 6, 2026

After more than a year of community engagement, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands has unveiled the final design concept for the future of the Fleet Block open space, a 2.4-acre area in the Granary District, designed by and for the community. Located at the corner of 900 South and 300 West, the new space will provide a shaded, natural green destination where people can connect, play, and relax.

The final design was shaped by two rounds of extensive public input, including surveys, open houses, and meetings with stakeholders, community members, and families of those depicted in the murals. Feedback consistently identified the need for shade, green space, gathering areas, safety, cooling features, opportunities for recreation, a strong cultural identity, and elements of social justice. Through the final vision–which will include a prominent public art piece–the City aims to integrate those themes and create a welcoming, inclusive public space that fosters connection, healing, and possibility.

“Salt Lakers told us they wanted more than a traditional park. They wanted a space with shade and nature, room for joy and gathering, and an identity that reflects the history and voices of its neighbors,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “The final vision brings those hopes together in a place that will be welcoming, green, and shaped by the community that will use it for generations.”

Guided by community feedback, with a focus on the community-driven principles, the final concept of the open space will include:

• A place for community: From the amphitheater and open lawn to shaded seating areas, gardens, and flexible play furnishings, the space provides opportunities for people to come together in ways that are natural, inclusive, and comfortable. The materials, colors, and elements chosen reflect the neighborhood’s character and celebrate the people who shape it.
• A place to gather: The design weaves together large and small gathering zones, supporting everything from community markets and performances to intimate areas where people can pause, reflect, and connect.
• A place to rest: The space includes two shade structures, 150 new trees, and drought-tolerant native plantings that ensure long-term comfort and sustainability. The water feature provides a cooling element, creating a space that welcomes quiet, restorative moments.
• A place for justice: The design honors the site’s history and the City’s commitment to a welcoming and inclusive space through a significant public artwork that reflects social justice themes. To create a welcoming and equitable space, the design focuses on accessibility, family-friendly activities, and clear pedestrian connections. The community table and surrounding planting areas create spaces where neighbors can gather, engage in conversation, and participate in stewardship of the landscape.
• A place of progress: The flexible design framework, including the shared street, event-ready plazas, and community tables, enables programming that supports artists, storytellers, educators, and local businesses. These elements create a catalyst for connections, creativity, resource-sharing, and civic investment to help the community grow together and maintain cultural continuity. 

“Every feature of the Fleet Block open space was thoughtfully designed to create a welcoming place where neighbors can gather, share stories, and build meaningful connections,” said Kim Shelley, director of the Department of Public Lands. “From the community table that encourages conversation to the amphitheater that brings people together for celebrations and events, to the smaller gathering spaces designed for quiet reflection, this new open space creates opportunities for connection, belonging, and community.”

The Fleet Block site served as Salt Lake City’s vehicle maintenance, repair, and fueling facility until 2009. In 2020, the space took on new meaning as a place for healing, justice, and remembrance when temporary murals memorializing individuals killed during police interactions across the U.S. were painted on the buildings by anonymous artists. In 2025, the vacated buildings were taken down due to environmental hazards and to prepare for redevelopment planned since 2015.

When completed, at least 3,200 residents living within a 10-minute walk of Fleet Block will have more equitable access to high-quality green space, and more than 55,000 residents in the Central Community Plan area will benefit from reduced heat exposure, improved health, and access to usable green space.

The space has received $6 million from the 2022 Parks, Trails, and Open Space General Obligation Bond, and a $2 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities program.

Public Art in the Open Space

The open space will include a major piece of public art, which will reflect the community priorities and the City’s commitment to honor the murals and their message by incorporating themes of social justice that inspire future generations to call for change. The Salt Lake City Arts Council ran a competitive national artists selection process for the commission and received 175 applications from across the country. The selection process is now in its final stages, and the Arts Council will announce the artist and artwork details in the coming months.

Community Benefits for Fleet Block Redevelopment

The City is partnering with Brinshore Development and Mercy Housing for the development of the two northern parcels along 800 South and 300/400 West. The parcels will be used for mixed-use developments that include housing and retail space. Through Salt Lake City’s first Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), the City, local neighborhood representatives, and the developers are ensuring community priorities drive the project.