SALT LAKE CITY — Similar to Seattle's famed Pike Place Market, a public market will open at the Utah State Fairpark in May of 2021.
The Salt Lake City Council unanimously backed the project at its Tuesday meeting.
"Creation of the Fairpark Public Market would increase access to food, provide local entrepreneurial opportunity, better use an underutilized facility with ongoing activity, encourage development, help activate the Jordan River Trail and provide a much-needed amenity to the area," said Council member James Rogers, reading from a resolution.
The project will be a big boost for the area and long overdue. Plans have been in the works for a public market for years. It was first considered for the historic Rio Grande Building near Pioneer Park (to compliment the Farmers Market) but then it was shifted to the state fair grounds. The resolution means Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County and the state of Utah will back the project.
David Lewis, the chair of the Utah State Fair Board, said it will bring local entrepreneurs to the area.
"We think the market is going to be a great cultural anchor that's going to bind the community even closer together," he said.
