Tuesday Announcements 12/5: Jeff Miller Episode, Kilby Block Party Giveaway on Instagram, Current Events, and This Week's Episode

Salt Lake moved fast this week, and we’re connecting the dots between pocketbook policies, stadium culture, and a neighborhood on the brink of change. We open with a quick highlight of our conversation with Jeff Miller, where fixed-price car buying and community investment flip the usual dealership script. That theme of clarity and trust carries into a bigger question: what happens when private equity takes over key operations at Rice-Eccles? We break down the upside—better fan experience, smarter logistics—and the real risks, from rising ticket prices to a stadium vibe that feels less like our city and more like a spreadsheet.

We also dig into a closed-door retreat where Utah legislators reportedly discussed education priorities, tax proposals, ballot strategies, and the 2025 session plan. By labeling it “unofficial,” leaders avoided public notice requirements and open meeting laws. We talk about why that move shakes trust, what open governance should look like, and how early transparency can build better policy before votes are locked and pressure campaigns begin. If you care about taxes and schools, this is where accountability starts.

Then we turn to the 1300 South ballpark site, finally moving toward a clear plan: new housing, local retail, restaurants, and an entertainment district. It’s a massive opportunity to pair growth with roots. We walk through what good looks like—human-scale design, walkability, affordable housing, local vendor space, and real public amenities—and what to watch out for if the project tilts toward displacement, traffic, and generic placemaking. Done right, this becomes a destination that feels like Salt Lake, not just another development.

We’re also running a Kilby Block Party giveaway with weekend passes to see Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, Hayley Williams, Modest Mouse, and more. Get the entry steps, hear the headlines, and add your take on whether private equity improves stadium life or chips away at fan culture. If you’re enjoying the show, tap like, subscribe, and leave a comment to help more locals find it. Your voice shapes the city—join us and tell a friend.

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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (02:28):
What is up, everybody, and welcome back to
another Tuesday update.
It is me, Eric Nilsson, the hostof the Small Lake City Podcast.
We have a lot to cover, so let'sjump into it.
Number one, if you haven'tlistened to the most recent
episode with Jeff Miller, makesure to go check it out.
It's amazing what they're doingat Mark Miller Subaru to benefit
you, the consumer, someone who'sbuying a car from single pricing

(02:49):
to giving back to the community.
Also, just a great guy.
I mean, it's a dealership that'sbeen there for four generations
and even more generations whenyou consider horses and buggies
in Idaho in the mix.
So definitely go check that out.
Really enjoyed my conversationwith Jack.
Secondly, we have the Kilbyblock party giveaway going on
right now on Instagram.
Uh, you can win two weekendpasses for you and a friend.

(03:10):
Um, all you have to do is numberone, comment on any Small Lake
City podcast episode, whicheverone you feel like.
Whether that be your favoriteepisode, the most recent one,
even this one, if you want to,um, it's easiest on Spotify.
So if you're on Apple Podcasts,it's a little bit harder, but
make sure to go comment there.
Uh, go to the Instagram post,comment done, and tag who you're

(03:31):
gonna bring with you.
So, more information on the postitself.
But if you want to go see Lordthe XX, Turnstyle, Haley
Williams, Modest Mouse, andmore, then this is your easiest
way to do that.
Also, want to jump into somerecent stuff going on in Salt
Lake.
There's a lot of interestingnews and headlines coming out
this week.
Uh, number one is private equitybuying into Utah Sports via Rice

(03:51):
Eccles.
So private equity is buying intoRice Eccles, which means they
were gonna manage all of theconcessions, all of the vendors,
all of the tickets, andeverything that goes into the
operations of Rice Eccles.
Um, this could be a good thingas far as experience, uh,
accessibility, primisation.
Could also be a really bad thingwith ticket sales going up, the
energy of the stadium changing,um, and just the whole culture

(04:12):
of rice eyes changing.
So curious what you think ifthat's gonna be a good or a bad
thing.
Also, this week, a group of Utahlegislators held a closed-door
meeting at a private retreatwhere they talked about things
like Utah education, upcomingtax proposals, various ballot
initiatives, and strategiesgoing into the 2025 session.
But the real question is, whydid this need to be secret?

(04:34):
They claimed it wasn't a quoteofficial meeting, which led them
to avoid public noticerequirements and dodge open
meeting laws of Utah politics.
So a lot of people think thisundermines transparency and
keeps voters in the dark onmajor policy direction.
Um, so stay tuned for more asthat starts to come out.
Utah legislators have had a lotof issues with transparency and

(04:55):
visibility and trying to keep asmuch power as they can.
So stay tuned for that.
Um, also, one big news item thatcame out this week is the
agreement on the ballparkredevelopment.
So, as you know, the Bees movedtheir stadium out to daybreak
with a brand new park, whichmeans that the ballpark on 13th
South has been a big oldquestion mark.
But they reached an agreement uhof what's going to be happening

(05:18):
with it.
Uh, think about new housing,retail, restaurants, and a big
entertainment district thatcould change the entire
neighborhood.
So, this has been months in themaking, so more to come on that.
And lastly, if you're watchingor listening right now, please
like, subscribe, comment howeveryou can.
It means a ton to me and keepsthe podcast growing and puts it
on more people's radars.

(05:38):
So thank you so much if you havealready.
And if you haven't, it takes twoseconds, and I hugely appreciate
it.
Uh, and before I sign out, thelast thing I want to say is this
week we're gonna be releasinganother vault episode from
episodes that you may have neverheard before, or some that are
worth revisiting again before wekick off season two in the new
year.
So enjoy some warm weather thisweek.

(05:58):
I can't believe it's 55 degreesright now and it's December
10th.
Uh, but yeah, see you soon.
Go listen to the episode withJeff, go in to win some tickets,
and catch me this weekend with avaulted episode.
So, yeah.