City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta here. My New Year’s resolution is to visit all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, and I’m sharing stellar finds along the way.
Finally, a plan for the old Smith’s Ballpark! It’s been two and a half years since Larry H. Miller Co. announced they would relocate Bees baseball to a new stadium in Daybreak (the suburbs). We break down the city's big announcement for the 13.5-acre hole left in Salt Lake’s Ballpark neighborhood.
🌭 The Stadium Itself
Ballpark residents got their wish on this one: The baseball diamond and outfield become a multi-purpose field for youth sports or neighborhood play, and the stands are reworked as an entertainment venue. Architects call it adaptive reuse.
The design also ensures we don’t lose those mountain views, from the ground or the proposed rooftop restaurant.
The design idea for all 13.5-acres. (Salt Lake City)
🏠 The Land Around the Field
Part of the parking lot to the stadium’s south becomes Creek Park, revealing some of the waterways that currently flow beneath 1300 South. Along Main Street, there’ll be a new SLC Library branch and relocation of Fire Station 8.
A section of West Temple gets transformed into a festival street for outdoor events. About 400 new housing units are promised, plus senior housing and “opportunities for home ownership” via co-ops and land trusts.
🚲 Cars, Parking, and Pedestrians
There are plans for 964 parking stalls across two shared garages, but this concept really wants you to walk, bike, or take public transit — the TRAX stop is right there! A promenade wraps around the field to offer car-free, interior streets.
A look at the pedestrian promenade and multi-use field. (Salt Lake City)
🚧 Construction Timeline
Like all development, this will happen in phases. While the city would love wheels in motion by the end of 2025, don’t expect to see a wrecking ball until 2026 or even 2027.
In the meantime, the existing Smith’s Ballpark still gets love. It will host Pie & Beer Day and the Luxurious Salt Lake Lowriders this summer.
⁉️ What Do You Think?
The city wants to know! There are two big opportunities to ask questions or share your opinion in person. If you can’t make either, submit a comment online before July 15.
- Today, July 8 at 2 p.m. Community Reinvestment Agency Board of Directors (this is just the city council!) meeting at the Salt Lake City and County Building
- Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m. Community Q&A session with free snow cones at the Ballpark
🎧 Crave even more details of this plan? Listen to today’s episode of City Cast Salt Lake.
