Statement on Maurice Abravanel Hall & Frequently Asked Questions

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USUO wants Abravanel Hall, home of the Utah Symphony, to be an active and additive part of the Sports, Entertainment, Culture, and Convention District, serving as the cultural hub. We believe such an outcome is in the best interest of both USUO and the district itself.

USUO recognizes and appreciates the public investment in our work. The construction of Abravanel Hall was made possible through a federal partnership with Salt Lake County, who owns the building. Its ongoing operations and maintenance are generously subsidized by the County’s TRCC fund (tourism, recreation, cultural, and convention). We are grateful for their partnership and dedication to arts and culture. In addition to the facility and its ongoing operations and maintenance, USUO also receives annual operating funding from the Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks Tier I grant program.

Abravanel Hall is a landmark building with historical significance, emotional resonance, and—most importantly—acoustical qualities that we and all Utahns rightly treasure. We also know that it is in need of critical renovations and updates to prepare it for its next 45 years, all borne out by our past two years of master planning in conjunction with Salt Lake County. The revitalization project presents the opportunity for Salt Lake City to encompass a world-class downtown district, putting us in the top tier of major American cities. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime, defining moment for Utah—and our goal is to maximize our potential with all partners as an integral part of the district.

We believe we should seek every opportunity and option to partner with the leaders of the revitalization project to integrate Abravanel Hall into the new vision of downtown, and we recognize that may require creative solutions. Such an outcome would serve the broadest set of interests—for our community of arts and entertainment lovers of all ages; for the future of USUO; and for our city, county, and state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is ultimately going to make the decision about Abravanel Hall?
Salt Lake County owns, operates, and subsidizes the operations and maintenance of Abravanel Hall and will be the decision-maker. Mayor Wilson and County staff have promised and displayed their intention to work collaboratively with USUO to ensure the best outcome; we have been involved in several direct conversations with the Mayor and SEG and plan to continue to be at the table to advocate for our needs.

What can people do to help or show their support for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera?
Attend an upcoming performance, encourage others to attend performances, and make a gift to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera—those are the most critical things you can do in this moment to demonstrate the value of the arts in Utah.

What renovations are proposed for Abravanel Hall?
In collaboration with Salt Lake County, the Master Plan, which began in 2023 and was completed in spring 2024, resulted in five key areas of proposed renovations: Building Systems, including fire suppression, HVAC updates, safety and security controls, and lighting; Performance Hall, including ADA compliance, infrastructure for amplified sound and screen projection as well as replacement of the existing built-in equipment, energy efficient LED stage lighting, and improvements to unamplified acoustics; Front-of House, including additional restrooms and elevators, lobby reconfiguration to improve patron engagement and wayfinding, and additional event space; Back-of-House, including updated and expanded artist support spaces and office spaces, reconfigured loading docks, and fixing non-ADA-compliant sloped floors; and Site & Plaza, including a more engaging plaza and improved building visibility and community connection.

Why is there a drastic difference in cost between the 2016 Master Plan and the 2024 Master Plan?
The 2016 Master Plan was more modest in scope. The 2024 Master Plan was informed by USUO’s 2022-2027 strategic plan (which largely focuses on audience development), as well as extensive input from stakeholders and the community. The research and findings for the current plan identified a need for more comprehensive renovations that would support the goal of building audiences and would anticipate audience and performer needs for the future. In addition, the 2016 plan did not include the need to replace the HVAC, add fire suppression, or any seismic verification work.

Construction cost is also a factor. The cost estimate for the 2016 plan was reviewed again in 2023 and had experienced significant construction cost escalation to approximately $70 million with an expectation of continued price increases each year. The pricing for the 2024 Master Plan is reflected in estimated 2027 dollars.

Furthermore, the building in its current form is grandfathered under code pre-dating ADA regulations. A handful of the modifications outlined in the master plan would structurally change the building enough to require it to be brought into compliance with current ADA standards. This would likely drive the cost of full implementation north of $200 million.

It has been suggested that the County plans to turn the symphony’s hall into a “multi-purpose hall”—is that the intention?
No. A “multi-purpose hall” is one that typically has a moveable concert shell surrounding the stage, wing space, and a “fly tower” over the stage to allow for scenic elements for dance, theatre, and musicals. We will continue to have an acoustic hall. Like most acoustic concert halls in the U.S., Abravanel Hall is already used by USUO and other renters for performances with amplification, lighting, film projection, and even some modest level of dance. Examples that are familiar to our audiences are Pops, Films, Family, and Special Event concerts. Upgrades to the hall and equipment would allow these types of performances to be staged more efficiently and economically, while retaining our primary purpose as an acoustic hall.

It has been suggested that a renovation would be more expensive than a rebuild—is this true?
The design concepts and cost of a new build have not yet been thoroughly studied or priced—and while the cost of a renovation has been estimated in the Master Plan process, the design and budget for a renovation have not been finalized either. We believe that a rebuild would most likely be more costly than a renovation.

Who would fund the renovation or rebuild?
While we do not yet have a breakdown of financial responsibility for either scenario, we expect it is likely that either case will be funded through a public-private partnership involving Salt Lake County, the State of Utah, and USUO. USUO is already working to build our endowment and annual funding, and any expected USUO funding for a renovation or rebuild would be in addition to our existing fundraising efforts.

Where do plans stand now regarding the County’s intentions for Abravanel Hall?
Mayor Wilson shared at a USUO Board of Trustees meeting on May 20 that the County’s “plan A” had included building the Salt Palace underground and rebuilding Abravanel Hall, but that they are now exploring “plans B and C.” We expect to continue discussions and learn about those alternate plans in the near future. At this time, we have not seen any site plans from the County.

What is the next step for USUO?
USUO will continue to coordinate with county leaders as they continue to explore creative solutions for the integration of Abravanel Hall into the new district, a concept we have already brought up in recent discussions.

How long would it take to renovate Abravanel Hall? How long would it take to build a new hall?
The displacement time for a renovation would be dependent on the extent of the work being implemented but would likely take one to two years. A rebuild would most likely be a lengthier process than a renovation. In examples from across the country since 2001, it takes an average of 28-38 months, from breaking ground to opening, for a new single-venue acoustic concert hall build. We don’t yet have the context for construction that may be happening adjacent to us, which could also impact work on Abravanel Hall.

What would happen to the symphony if we were unable to perform in Abravanel Hall due to a renovation or rebuild period?
While it would be challenging logistically and financially, the symphony would continue to perform in other venues. All creative options and opportunities would be explored in order to ensure that we carry on our mission to connect the community through great live music. Community support will be essential in order to manage through that time period.

Would USUO musicians and staff experience lost or reduced work during that period?
Our intention would be to keep everyone working at the same level. We serve audiences through music and cannot do that without our musicians and staff members. We have already started exploring options and will find creative solutions that fulfill—and perhaps even expand—our service to our state.