What it needs and how the new sports district could help [Video]

Downtown Salt Lake City had its own major transformation underway well before the prospect of a new sports, entertainment, culture and convention district came up.

A dramatic rise in its 24-hour residential population continues to boost street activity along with visits to downtown’s everyday amenities, hot spots and attractions.

The historic trajectory has doubled the number of downtown residents in a few years with much more to come — while helping to counter another commercial shift from a drop in office occupancy during the day as many professionals work from home.

In terms of urban attributes, the city’s resilience and growth with those pandemic-accelerated trends draw from some important roots. Planners say Utah’s capital enjoys a lot of crucial ingredients viewed as vital to keeping any downtown vibrant, lively and thriving: mixed uses, walkability, transit access, green spaces and, of course, a diverse and healthy economy.

Utah’s living room, as the city center is called, also has some long-identified challenges, …