SALT LAKE CITY — We are starting to get a look at the impact COVID-19 has had on the downtown area.
New numbers provided to FOX 13 by the Downtown Alliance, a booster group affiliated with the Salt Lake Chamber, show that only 10-15% of downtown office workers are actually in their offices. However, a survey by the group of downtown businesses found that 33% are in the process of reactivating their work spaces (with another 16% hoping to re-open before June 1 and another 14% before July 1).
The alliance said 60% of retail businesses have re-opened, up 50% from a survey last week. That includes City Creek Center, Nordstrom and Macy's. Downtown restaurants and bars are starting to re-open, with 90 now offering takeout or dine-in service -- up 84 from the week before.
Hotel occupancy surrounding the Salt Palace remains low at only 17% of what it was in 2019. Still, the Downtown Alliance said, it was a 2% increase over May 12.
Salt Lake County has not yet re-opened any of the arts and entertainment venues it controls (including the Capitol Theatre and the Eccles Theatre). The Gateway has announced two events will resume -- with social distancing measures in place.
