Salt Lake City mayor ‘encouraged’ by lawmakers’ approach to homeless funding this year
Compared to a year ago — when Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed concerns that Utah lawmakers’ appetite to “control” the state’s capital city had grown to a new “punitive” level — this year’s session was starkly different.
“I can say without a doubt, this is one of the most productive legislative sessions that we’ve had as far as our relationship goes with state legislators,” Mendenhall told reporters during a news conference at City Hall on Wednesday focused on unpacking the session’s impact on Salt Lake City.
She and Angela Price, the city’s legislative affairs director, said this year’s session was largely underscored by bills that didn’t pass.
Restoration plans announced for the Jordan River
“At the Larry H. Miller Company, we believe the Jordan River should not be the back door of development. It should be the front porch of the community,” said CEO Steve Starks during a gathering at the river on February 26, 2026.
During the event, Larry H. Miller Real Estate announced plans to restore and activate a half‑mile stretch of the Jordan River—positioning it as the foundational feature of the 100+ acre Power District on Salt Lake City’s west side. The company also introduced Field Operations—the internationally acclaimed landscape architecture firm behind New York City’s High Line, Seattle's Waterfront Park, San Francisco’s Presidio Tunnel Tops, and Brooklyn’s Domino Park—as the lead landscape architect and designer for the riverfront restoration.
Caucus night is coming. Here’s what Westside voters should know.
On the evening of Tuesday, March 17, neighbors across Salt Lake City’s Westside will head to schools, libraries, and community buildings for one of Utah’s most unique political traditions: caucus night.
In neighborhoods like Rose Park, Glendale, Poplar Grove, and Fairpark, the meetings are often small — sometimes just a few dozen people gathered in a classroom or cafeteria. But what happens there can shape which candidates appear on Utah ballots later in the year.
Utah uses what’s known as a caucus-and-convention system to nominate candidates for office. Instead of relying only on a primary election, the process begins with neighborhood meetings where residents elect delegates to represent their precinct. Those delegates later attend county and state conventions, where they vote on which candidates move forward in the election process.
Reading out of “decadence”: How Amigos y Libros builds community through Spanish literature
In Salt Lake City, a small group of readers gather regularly to discuss novels written thousands of miles away. Their books come from Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Chile, and beyond. And the books all share a common trait — they’re written in Spanish. In this special book club, some members grew up speaking Spanish; others learned it later in life. Some arrive having finished every page, others come simply to listen. But everyone is welcome.
California Burger: Big flavor, local favorite on SLC’s Westside
On this month’s edition of Westside Eats, we discovered another local gem that’s been serving up flavor and variety for more than a decade — California Burger. Located at 306 North 300 West, this unassuming spot has been a go-to for the community for the past 13 years, offering a menu that stretches far beyond your average burger joint.
The Other Side Village uses self-governed prep school as part of ‘whole person’ framework
The Other Side Village (TOSV), an all-inclusive living community for the chronically homeless, is currently receiving residents. But before gaining access to one of 60 cottage homes in the first phase of development, future residents are required to attend at least six months of training at The Other Side Village Prep School.
Through TOSV Prep School, those enrolled learn a new way of thinking using a human first, whole person framework that emphasizes self-love, self-trust, accountability, solidarity, community, unlearning negative beliefs, mentoring, self-reliance and honesty.
Students in Salt Lake City sign ‘Letters of Intent’ for apprenticeships
The Salt Lake City School District recently hosted its largest-ever Talent Ready Apprenticeship Connection (TRAC) Signing Day, celebrating 19 students—the biggest cohort in district history to join the TRAC Advanced Manufacturing Program. Students signed their letters of intent, officially committing to youth apprenticeships with top local employers, including two manufacturers located on Salt Lake City’s Westside, Utah PaperBox and Stadler Rail.
All Chay: Vibrant vegan Vietnamese in Fairpark
Tucked away in the Fairpark neighborhood at 1264 W 500 N, All Chay has been making waves throughout Salt Lake City’s food scene for the past eight years. This family-owned gem offers something truly unique to the Westside: a fully vegan and vegetarian Vietnamese menu that doesn’t compromise on flavor, creativity, or comfort.
myHometown hosts service projects throughout the year to clean up Westside neighborhoods
Continuing their goal of cleaning up the community, myHometown 2025 Salt Lake City is assessing additional community projects and services throughout the city. Right now, they’re focusing on three areas: Northwest (Rose Park, Fairpark, Westpointe and Jordan Meadows neighborhoods), Westside (Poplar Grove and Glendale neighborhoods), and Central (Ballpark and Liberty Wells neighborhoods).
The next myHometown Days of Service in those three areas will be in May. The organization will continue to host projects on various days through October and November. More information on each project can be found at myhometownslc.org.
Fairpark updates: Only one stadium, new zoning district created, Executive Director named
As developments in the Fairpark area go forward, only one major league sports stadium will be built after all.
Plus, the Salt Lake City Council has created the Jordan River Fairpark Zoning District along North Temple to oversee the development of the so-called Power District.
And a new executive director has been named to lead the Utah Fairpark Area Investment and Restoration District.
Rose Park and Fairpark residents voice excitement about proposed improvements on 600/700 North
Reconstruction of 600/700 North in Salt Lake City is set to begin sometime this spring or summer. There have been various discussions over the past few years on how to improve safety in this Westside corridor, and now the city is just about ready to move forward.
Affordable housing community for SLC's chronically homeless under construction
Phase One construction of The Other Side Village, a community of tiny homes for the chronically unhoused, is under way, including sewer lines, manholes, and infill.
The Neighborhood House marks 130 years with events and celebrations
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Roses in the Garden mural installation features women with lasting Westside legacies
A mural series in Rose Park celebrates women whose legacies are contributions to Salt Lake’s Westside. Meet each one of them here.
I-15 expansion prompts concerns about pollution, business impacts, and traffic congestion
Westside community members and business owners have doubts about the impacts of the proposed I-15 expansion.
Regional council behind I-15 project creates transportation plans “for the greater good”
A regional council comprising elected officials and representatives from government and community organizations is responsible for the plan to expand I-15.
New project aims to create heat map of Salt Lake City, including the Westside
A project to create heat map across Salt Lake City will help provide data about where heat abatement programs should be implemented.
Local glass art to tour world, promote eco-consciousness
Two Salt Lake City glass artists are sending their pieces on a world tour. The pieces, depicting elaborate scenes of honey bees and ocean life, raise awareness for eco-consciousness, and will be permanently housed in a new facility at Thanksgiving Point after the world tour.