SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County and Smith Entertainment Group announced early Friday the chosen partners in the next phase for the renovation of the Salt Palace Convention Center and the Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention district in the heart of downtown.
“These selections represent some of the best talent in the industry, with a unique and necessary blending of local and national expertise,” Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said, in a press release Friday.
According to the press release, the county selected Populous Holdings, Inc. and MHTN Architects were to lead architectural efforts of the renovation, while Construction Control Corporation and RLB were chosen to lead construction.
In addition to the county’s selection, SEG announced the architecture and design firm HKS will lead the master design plan for the entire district. The company told KSL TV on Friday that HKS has 29 offices in nine countries and has been involved in the design of many sports and entertainment districts, including:
AT&T Stadium and Arlington Experience District, home of NFL’s Dallas Cowboys
Victory Plaza in Dallas, at the American Airlines Center, home of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and NHL’s Dallas Stars
Huntington Bank Stadium Masterplan for NFL’s Cleveland Browns
SoFi Stadium, home of NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers
“As excited as I am to see the new district develop and our visitor economy grow, I’m most excited about enhancing community opportunities through intentional placemaking,” Wilson said. “Through this collaborative effort, beloved venues and spaces will be improved and there will be better walkability and connectivity downtown. The reimagined area will serve as a gathering space for residents and visitors alike. We have deep gratitude for the Utah State Legislature, our partners at Salt Lake City, Smith Entertainment Group, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for making this possible.”
A rendering shows a map of proposed plans for Salt Lake City’s entertainment district, released in 2024. (Salt Lake City)
This is a breaking news story. It may be updated.
Contributing: Brian Carlson, KSL TV