Utah Heritage Foundation

As you may recall, the Salt Lake Tribune reported back on August 7, 2011 that city officials, led by Mayor Becker, and the design and development team were looking at options for the Utah Performance Center (new broadway-style theater) that would demolish the historic Salt Lake Tribune building.  In the wake of that article, we've circulated the following statement.  How you can help is at the bottom of the statement.

August 16, 2011

Position Statement

The Salt Lake Tribune building is an important historic structure within the fabric of downtown Salt Lake City.  In 2004, Utah Heritage Foundation shared the concern of the community in what the future of the building would be when the Salt Lake Tribune moved to a new location.  Since that time, the building was sold to an owner with a history of historic building ownership and rehabilitation. The current owner has studied rehabilitation as housing which was found to be viable.

If the Utah Performing Arts Center (UPAC) requires additional space, it should not come at the expense of demolishing the Salt Lake Tribune building.  We believe the building can continue to be a vibrant anchor on Main Street.  The Salt Lake Tribune building could become part of the performing arts center but it should not be torn down at its expense.

Historically, the tallest buildings in downtown Salt Lake City were built on the corners, and mid-rise buildings filled in between.  This development pattern lends to the distinctive and unique quality of Salt Lake City’s Main Street that distinguishes our downtown from others.  New construction should be encouraged to continue this pattern as much as possible or the city will lose its charm.

Utah Heritage Foundation can assist in rehabilitation through funding additional studies and guidance in utilizing historic preservation tools and incentives like the federal tax credit for the rehabilitation of historic buildings and transfer of development rights.

History

Built in 1924 by wealthy mining and real estate entrepreneur Ezra Thompson, the building is one of few in downtown Salt Lake City that features the Art Deco style of architecture.  Due to the particularly hard times the depression brought to Utah, this was the last major construction in Salt Lake City for thirty years.  The Salt Lake Tribune purchased the building in 1937.  It was determined to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, but is not currently listed.

How You Can Help

Email your local elected officials at the city and county levels to let them know that the SL Tribune building is a critical and significant part of downtown that should be rehabilitated rather than demolished.

Contact info for the SL County Council

Contact info for SL County Mayor Peter Corroon

Contact info for the SLC City Council

Contact info for SLC Mayor Ralph Becker

You may also wish to contact the current owner to encourage their participation to rehabilitate the building rather than demolish it or sell to another owner who's intent would be to demolish.

Contact the building's owner, Vasilios Priskos.

Please copy Utah Heritage Foundation with your comments.  Send them to Kirk Huffaker, Executive Director at kirk@utahheritagefoundation.org.