The Council approved a development agreement between Salt Lake City and Jazz Arena Investors LLC to allow construction of a seven-story parking garage at the Delta Center.
The Development Agreement
Jazz Arena Investors LLC requested approval through a development agreement to build a seven-story parking garage over an existing surface-level parking lot at the southwest corner of the Delta Center. The agreement guides how the parking garage is built and is necessary because aspects of the project do not meet city zoning rules.
The agreement makes two key changes:
- It waives the requirement for active ground-floor uses along street-facing sides but requires additional landscaping and visual design features.
- It allows a wider exit driveway on 400 W. to improve event exit traffic by allowing two lanes of cars to leave at the same time.
The agreement also requires the applicant to build three bike racks on the block with space for 15 bikes each, add landscaping with trees and shrubs along 100 S. and 400 W., and provide at least $75,000 for public art or similar improvements at 100 S. and 400 W. in coordination with the City Arts Council and Planning Division. This funding will not come from the public benefit ticket fee set in the Participation Agreement between the City and SEG. If the developer doesn’t follow the rules in the agreement, they will have to pay daily fines.
Please note that this Development Agreement is not the same as the ‘Development Agreement’ required under the Participation Agreement.
The Parking Garage
The developer plans to build a seven-story, 448-stall parking garage above the existing surface-level parking lot at the southwest corner of the Delta Center. The garage will serve Delta Center visitors and make it easier for people to get in and out of events. It also includes a loading dock for large vehicles such as big trucks and delivery vehicles, and a secure entrance for authorized staff.
The Planning Commission Recommendation
On Aug. 13, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval if the developer:
- Adds more visual features to the walls facing the street.
- Uses aluminum-style panels on the loading area to match the panels planned for the upper levels of the building.
- Provides plenty of bicycle parking near the main arena entrances.
- Add as much landscaping as possible along the garage to create a larger buffer with the street.
- Finalizes all site plan details before the agreement is approved.
For more information, access the meeting materials or watch the meeting.
Meeting Recaps
Sept. 9, 2025: Council Follow-up Briefing & Vote
The Council approved the development agreement to allow the construction of a seven-story parking garage at the Delta Center. Earlier at the work session, the Council held a follow-up briefing to discuss changes to the agreement, specifying the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission.
During the general comment period, two residents spoke against the proposal, pointing to inadequate pedestrian design and concerns about setting a precedent for sidestepping city rules.
Sept. 2 Briefing & Public Hearing
During the work session, Planning Staff and the applicant’s representatives presented the Council with an overview of the proposed development agreement for constructing the Delta Center parking garage. Council Members discussed the agreement and the Planning Commission’s recommendations. They emphasized the importance of specifying the conditions and ensuring they are met.
During the public hearing, two residents shared their opposition to the proposal, citing poor pedestrian design and the possibility of setting a precedent for bypassing city rules.