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Downtown Alliance outlines relief efforts, events growth and plans for Temple Square surge
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Summary
The Downtown Alliance reported $494,000 distributed to Main Street fire‑displaced workers, 161 street activations and 21 million customer visits in 2025, and previewed a 'Downtown Rising' strategy and preparations for the 2027 Temple Square open house expected to bring millions of visits.
The Downtown Alliance briefed the council on 2025 accomplishments and 2026 priorities. The alliance reported it raised and distributed $494,000 to assist roughly 120 downtown employees displaced after the August Main Street fire and organized a job fair to help those workers find employment.
The alliance said it produced 161 street activations in 2025, supported cultural events including a Mariachi Festival, and estimated 21 million customer visits to downtown venues last year. Ambassadors who engage people experiencing crisis downtown were credited with 17 life‑savings interventions using naloxone.
Looking ahead, the alliance described a 'Downtown Rising' strategic vision for growth through 2035 and short‑term preparations for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints’ Temple Square open house in 2027, which the alliance estimates could produce 3,000 visitors exiting Temple Square every hour and boost downtown spending significantly. The alliance proposed staffing hospitality kiosks, increased programming, and vendor outreach to ensure small and nontraditional businesses can participate.
Council members praised the alliance's rapid relief work and encouraged continued coordination on parking, transit messaging, vendor incubation and mitigation of construction impacts ahead of large events.
