Your Daily Guide

The historic Tower movie theatre in Salt Lake City’s 9th & 9th neighborhood has been boarded up since the Salt Lake Film Society (SLFS) discovered structural issues in 2021. But yesterday morning we got renovation plans, a timeline, and a sneak peek inside. It’s all happening!

• The Tower Theatre should reopen for its 100th birthday in 2028. SLFS has some lofty environmental goals, like a solar-powered projection booth, catalyzed by a mega donation from the fairly secretive Alternative Visions Fund. [Salt Lake Film Society]
• Tower v.2.0 will feature 70mm and 35mm projectors, the main theatre as well as three 25-seat microcinemas, curation every day of the year, and — most important to me — the return of the film society’s 16,000+ Criterion-style video library. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]
• Restoration is a sexy word to Salt Lakers, who have seen a lot of demolition lately. The theatre's original two-tower facade, inspired by the Tower of London, will be partly restored: the east masonry tower uncovered and the west tower reimagined as a digital canvas. Check out the blueprint. [Salt Lake Film Society]
• The project still needs to raise $8.5 million. So consider SLFS memberships for gifts. Or, donate $50 to the project and you’ll get a vote in naming a microcinema. SLFS also wants your Tower Theatre memories for a time capsule. [Salt Lake Film Society]

SLCo Data Centers on Pause

Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson is backing the County Council’s 180-day moratorium on new data center construction in unincorporated areas. She says the pause will give officials more time to consider the impacts on water, power, and infrastructure and develop stronger policy. [Facebook]

Request Your Free Tree

Salt Lake City residents have until Oct. 1 to request a tree for their park strip, and the city will plant it for you sometime between November and April. Your main job after that is to keep it watered. [Axios Salt Lake City 🔒]

Salsa Queen Stops Production

Salsa Queen, a Utah-based salsa brand, is shutting down after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. She grew from a home kitchen operation into a national grocery store staple and even appeared on Food Network. [Salt Lake Tribune]

SLC Restaurant Makes NYT’s Top 50

Salt Lake City’s Junah is the only Utah restaurant on The New York Times’ list of its 50 favorite restaurants in America right now. Last year, Cosmica earned a spot on the list. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Emigration Road Expansion

Upper Emigration Canyon may finally get a bike lane. But it’s complicated if you’re a homeowner. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

City Cast Salt Lake Neighbors know the best places to eat, shop, and hang out.

📣 Lena L. wants to shout out Utah Health Workers United, a worker-led union encompassing employees across all job titles at U of U Health. These folks are dedicated to fighting for better wages, adequate staffing levels, guaranteed breaks, and power in the workplace.

Now it’s your turn, become a member to share your favorite local spots or organizations with Salt Lakers.