depot district

Salt Lake City’s Depot District lies on the western edge of downtown and encompasses both land around Salt Lake Central Station, where the region’s transit systems converge, and land directly north of the station and west of the Gateway development. Historically surrounded by a rail yard and freeway viaducts, the land was largely ignored for decades. Now, with the viaducts shortened and the rail consolidated, the land is poised for growth.

The Envisioning Centers process engaged the pubic and community leaders in an exploration of development options for the area and served as an early test case for the Wasatch Choice for 2040 toolkit. Live | Work | Play, the vision created by citizens and stakeholders, emphasizes creating a neighborhood west of the existing Gateway development, with a focus on housing, day-to-day services, a grocery, schools, and places to play. A focus on arts and entertainment provides vibrancy along a festival street that connects commuters to downtown from the trains, and a job center adjacent to Salt Lake Central Station provides direct transit access to employment. Challenges include redeveloping successfully without displacing current residents and business owners.

Interest in the Depot District is high, and the vision is being implemented. Two mid-rise apartment buildings are currently under construction west of Gateway, helping to make 500 West feel like a residential street in an urban neighborhood.

Modes of transportation: Commuter Rail Hub, Light Rail, Amtrak, bus, bike, pedestrian, auto

While much of the minority renter-occupied units are within a 1/2 mile of transit around the Depot Demonstration Site, the densest concentrations are outside the catalytic site and on the edge of the ½ mile radius.

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