SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A new bill in the Utah Legislature could change how cities fund infrastructure around major sporting venues.
Senate Bill 333, sponsored by Republican Sen. Jerry Stevenson (District 6), proposes creating special zones that would generate tax revenue for development projects.
According to Stevenson, the bill would help fund infrastructure such as roads, utilities, and housing near event venues. However, the bill language states that tax money collected “shall be used for development including constructing, furnishing, maintaining or operating a major sporting event venue.”
The funds could also be used for “demolishing or remodeling an existing major sporting event venue or portion of a venue,” the bill states.
“It’s the infrastructure. When you put a big piece of pipe in the ground, it supports not only a facility but the development around it,” Stevenson said. “This is done in support of the community. It also works with the developers themselves. Sometimes they can put together an infrastructure district.”
When asked if the bill is related to the Olympics, Stevenson replied, “I can’t say that. We’re not supposed to use that word. This is for a major event in about 2034 in the state of Utah.”
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Stevenson acknowledged that while Utah has existing infrastructure from past Olympics, more would be needed. “We need some things built. We need some support facilities built, like housing for Olympic employees. We need housing for Olympic athletes and those things. But that’s what this will support.”
The sponsor expects the bill will change as it moves through the legislative process. The legislative session is scheduled to end next Friday.
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