Salt Lake City has received the Silver Award for best Public-Private Partnership (among cities with 25,000-200,000 population) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater/ Regent Street project.
This award was publicly announced and presented at the IEDC Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada on September 19. Former Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Chief Operating Officer Justin Belliveau and Department of Economic Development Director Lara Fritts accepted the award on behalf of the City.
“To receive this award on behalf of Salt Lake City and all our partners who made this project a reality is truly an honor,” said Director Lara Fritts. “The Eccles Theater continues to put arts, culture, and entertainment in Salt Lake City on a national – and many would argue international – stage, attracting some of the most talked-about shows typically reserved for theaters in larger cities.”
Salt Lake City recognizes that the development of the state-of-the-art Eccles Theater and Regent Street would not have been possible without the involvement and support of our co-owner and operator Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency, Garfield Traub Swisher, City Creek Reserve, Layton Construction, Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Magicspace Entertainment, and of course the Legacy Donors, we are so very appreciative of their partnership.
“The Eccles Theater and Regent Street project is a shining example of what can come from city, county, and state agencies – private and public entities – working together,” added Mayor Biskupski. “This collaboration is now one of the centerpieces of our vibrant downtown, and enjoyed by so many who live, work, and visit Salt Lake City.”
“The Eccles Theater continues to exceed our expectations and has become one of the top selling markets in the Country offering something for everyone,” added Salt Lake County Mayor McAdams. “The addition of the Eccles Theater compliments the existing excellence in our cultural facilities in expanding opportunities in Salt Lake County.”
Salt Lake City is the entertainment hub for Utah and the Intermountain West region, drawing audiences from southern Idaho, western Wyoming and Colorado, and eastern Nevada. In addition to the 2,500-seat Delta Performance Hall, the Eccles Theater has the flexible Regent Street Black Box Theater and outdoor McCarthey Plaza, and other reception and meeting spaces. This project is not only a huge economic driver for Salt Lake City and Utah, but is a major recruitment tool from an economic and arts and culture perspective.
The economic impact of the Eccles Theater has been tremendous, creating 115 new permanent jobs, $9-million in direct, indirect, and induced spending, and $1-million in new annual property tax revenue.
Anecdotally, we know from the Salt Lake Area Restaurant Association and the City Creek Center, businesses around the Eccles Theater have seen increased reservations, foot traffic and sales, not just on weekends, but sustained throughout the week. This new theater also helps other facilities attract new programming, which brings more economic benefits to the City.
To every partner involved in bringing the Eccles Theater to life – thank you! It is a true cultural asset to the City, County, and beyond.
Eccles Theater Legacy Donors: George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, Delta, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation and City Creek Reserve, Inc., Ken Garff, Robert H. and Katharine B. Garff, Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, OC Tanner, Dell Loy and Lynnette Hansen, FJM, Wells Fargo, McCarthey Family Foundation, and Layton Construction
