Senate advances substitute SB 90 to third reading to create Utah Science Center Authority and fund design study

Senator Ronald Oakey introduced substitute SB 90 to create a legal entity, the Utah Science Center Authority, and to appropriate $150,000 for a design and feasibility study related to renovating the Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City. Oakey explained the state acquired the depot and is spending about $225,000 per year on maintenance; the bill would authorize a combined arts and science facility to make productive use of the depot.

Oakey explained the bill creates the authority to facilitate fundraising and project organization; it also contains limited revenue-bonding power expressly stated not to be a general obligation of the state. Senators raised questions about committing bonding authority before a feasibility study is complete and about statewide fairness for a facility located in Salt Lake City; Senator McAllister argued for conducting the study first and then creating authority if feasible. Oakey and proponents argued creating the authority prior to the study helps the group raise private funding and accelerate work to avoid ongoing maintenance spending.

After offering floor amendments (including language promoting arts in the authority's purposes) and debate, the Senate recorded 17 ayes, 7 nays and 5 absent; the substitute passed and the bill was placed on the third reading calendar.