\u201cIt is such a cool step for this amazing radio station to have their own event space,\u201d says a KRCL fan.<\/p>\n
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Host Eugenie Hero Jaffe speaks in between songs at the KRCL studios in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n
You might enjoy listening to some of Utah\u2019s up-and-coming bands on KRCL, the Salt Lake City-based community radio station, while driving to work or cooking dinner. <\/p>\n
By next year, though, you\u2019ll be able to hear them in person at the station\u2019s expanded headquarters<\/a> at 509 W. 300 North, thanks to a construction project announced last week. The build-out will include a 200-person indoor venue for concerts, panel discussions and other events.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to actually have people down here,\u201d Eugenie Hero Jaffe, the web and social media director for the station, said. \u201c… We\u2019ve always talked about having a public space. We are a community radio station. How can you involve the community? Well, a public space.\u201d<\/p>\n Jaffe, who is also one of KRCL\u2019s on-air hosts<\/a>, said the project will lead to endless programming possibilities. In total, the expansion is set to include three new production studios, an outdoor plaza, an art gallery and a conference room. The station has already raised 89% of the $7 million necessary for construction and, despite a significant cut in federal funding<\/a> last year, is in good health. <\/p>\n (Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Eugenie Hero Jaffe, right, and Annabel Sheinberg show plans for an expanded building at the KRCL studios in Salt Lake City, Thursday, April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n Annabel Sheinberg, who is managing the fundraising campaign, said that the station had one of its best years after the budget hit and that it came through the period of uncertainty stronger. She credited the dedication of KRCL staffers and listeners. Jaffe noted that the station\u2019s day-to-day operations are still funded via its fund drives, known as radiothons. <\/p>\n A \u2018cool experience\u2019<\/p>\n (Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) CDs on display at the KRCL studios in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 9, 2026.<\/p>\n KRCL has a reputation for boosting Utah musicians, both on the air and through live events at other venues like The State Room<\/a>. Kevin Edwards, half of Utah folk duo Shaking Paper<\/a>, said that once, when he was an 18-year-old \u201cnobody\u201d and just getting started in music, he was driving into Salt Lake City and a song of his started playing on KRCL. He said it was a \u201ccool experience\u201d and a \u201ctotal surprise.\u201d <\/p>\n