City Cast Salt Lake

Latest Episodes:

How We Get Japantown Back Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

There’s a lot in the crosshairs of Smith Entertainment Group’s proposal for a new sports and entertainment district downtown, but Japantown might be getting the least attention. Salt Lake City Council member Darin Mano tells host Ali Vallarta how SLC and SEG’s visions for the historic downtown community align — and where they diverge. Plus, how long before downtown sees a resurgence of Japanese businesses?

Resources and references:

SLC Redevelopment Agency’s conceptual renderings for Japantown Street

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Sears Hospital Plans, SLC Budget Finale, and Your Neighborhood’s Air Quality Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Intermountain Health wants to replace the Sears Lake on State Street with an urban hospital, and we finally have renderings. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to see if the vision fits what the community wants. Plus, the SLC Council approved the new budget, Heber City’s nightlife is popping off, and a cool tool to check your neighborhood’s air quality.

Resources and references:

Plan for a high-rise hospital at former Sears site isn’t wowing SLC Council [Salt Lake Tribune]
Housing is Coming. Where Will State Street’s Beloved Restaurants Go? [City Cast Salt Lake]
From Dairy Keen to party scene? [Deseret News]
Neighborhood air quality map

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Operation Jordan River? Sounds Familiar. Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

In response to local complaints, law enforcement are targeting drug operations on the Jordan River Trail. But, in an area where many unsheltered people live, crime and homelessness are often conflated. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to draw comparisons between the Jordan River situation and 2017’s Operation Rio Grande — and muse on lessons learned so we don’t make the same mess.

Resources and references:

Raising Sales Tax, Juicy Texts, and More Sanctioned Camping? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Who Gets To Exist in SLC Parks? [City Cast Salt Lake]

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Utah’s Brand New, Statewide Trail Network Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

The Utah Department of Transportation will connect our entire state with a network of paved trails, and the first 19 projects have already been funded to the tune of $95 million. Host Ali Vallarta asks UDOT Trails Division director Stephanie Tomlin if this signals a statewide shift away from car-centric commuting — and when can we ride our bikes from Park City to St. George?

Related listening: Will A New Strategy Change Where We Recreate? [City Cast Salt Lake]

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A Homelessness Scolding, $500K for Public Bathrooms, and Picasso Melons Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Gov. Spencer Cox has a pointed message for homeless service providers: Show results or lose funding. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means break down the ironies in his speech and in the room. Plus, preview some Salt Lake City Council decisions, meet the county’s new public health boss, and find yellow watermelons.

Resources and references:

Utah Gov. Cox to homeless providers: Produce results, or you could lose funding [Utah News Dispatch]
Explaining the Salt Lake City Mayor's $475 Million Budget Proposal [Hey Salt Lake]
Attend the Salt Lake City Council meeting online or in-person.
Miya’s Market on Instagram and TikTok

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Tan France on the Best and Worst of SLC Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

If you're new here, welcome! We’ve put together a starter pack for you, with episodes and articles to welcome you to the City Cast Salt Lake community.

You know you’re a Salt Laker once you’ve had a Tan France sighting. The Queer Eye star has called Utah home for almost two decades — so let’s test him on his local credentials. Tan joins host Ali Vallarta to dish on the best and worst our town has to offer and the most Salt Lake thing about him.

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Reach us at saltlake@citycast.fm.

Save Redwood Drive-In? Old Cop Shop Makeover, and Weekend Wrestling Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Developers want to turn West Valley’s Redwood Drive-In and Swap Meet into housing — for the second time. Executive producer Emily Means joins host Ali Vallarta to calculate its odds of survival. Plus, a vacant SLC building gets a sexy makeover, primary ballots hit mailboxes, and a weekend wrestle-off.

If the sponsored interview with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development grabbed your attention, learn more about the Startup State Initiative.

Resources and references:

Vote in the second-round survey to name Utah’s NHL team.
Who’s To Blame for the Draper Home Slides? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Public Comment on Redwood Drive-in Rezone: Email West Valley community development director steve.pastorik@wvc-ut.gov or attend the WVC Council hearing, Wednesday, June 12 at 4 p.m. (in person or on Zoom)
Old public safety building to be converted into affordable housing [Building Salt Lake]
Why Aren’t These Vacant SLC Buildings Housing? [City Cast Salt Lake]
Salt Lake County primary election information
Get tickets to Wrestle Off 2024.
Listen to Canadaland’s DYNASTIES #9: The Harts.

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Red Butte Garden Blooming with Pride
Stein Eriksen Lodge Utah Locals Discount
Embodied Patience

Why No Michelin Stars in Utah? Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Two Salt Lake chefs are finalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards, and winners will be announced on June 10. But when it comes to the prestigious Michelin star, the travel award often associated with culinary excellence, Utah restaurants haven’t made the cut. Host Ali Vallarta asks food writer and Gastronomic SLC founder Stuart Melling why we haven’t received the blessing and what area restaurants should be on Michelin’s short list.

This episode originally aired Oct. 5, 2023.

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Stein Eriksen Lodge Utah Locals Discount
Red Butte Garden Blooming with Pride

McMansions in Yalecrest? Swanky Liquor Store, and Kids Play Free Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

The Salt Lake City Council just approved two new historic districts on the east bench. Host Ali Vallarta and executive producer Emily Means pick apart the curious case for historic protections in the Yalecrest neighborhood. Plus, downtown SLC gets a swanky new liquor store, Salt Lake County kids get free access to rec centers, and develop your disposable at a local camera shop.

If the sponsored interview with the Human Rights Campaign piqued your interest, learn more about their work in Utah, and attend their annual dinner on Saturday, June 15.

Resources and references:

SLC’s east side adds 2 historic districts, but west side still has none [Salt Lake Tribune]

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Visiting All 511 Parks in Salt Lake Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

There are more than 500 parks across Salt Lake County, and host Ali Vallarta is on a quest to visit all of them. After drinking at every bar in Salt Lake last year, Ali joins producer Ivana Martinez to explain her newest project, why parks are worthy investments, and how she plans to beat the odds.

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