Abravanel Hall Advocacy Coalition
Dates: April 29 – October 8, 2024
Building Location: 123 W South Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT
Building Architect: FFKR
Construction Date: 1979
Key Advocates: House Genealogy – Adrienne White; Musicians of the Utah Symphony – Karen Wyatt, Mercedes Smith, Lori Wike; Utah Youth Symphony – Jack Clark; Advocates – Bree Scheer
In 2024, a determined coalition of advocates and community leaders successfully preserved Abravanel Hall (formerly Symphony Hall) amidst plans for redevelopment in downtown Salt Lake City. The efforts, spearheaded by key individuals and organizations, showcased the power of collective action in protecting cultural landmarks for future generations.
The campaign to save Abravanel Hall began in April when musicians were informed that the Hall would likely be razed. An emergency orchestra meeting was scheduled for May, at which a committee of musician representatives was elected to navigate the situation, including Keith Carrick (chair), Becky Johnson, David Porter, Matthew Johnson, Jason Hardink, John Eckstein, and Lori Wike. This committee worked closely with Orchestra Committee Chair Karen Wyatt. At the same time, Jack Clark, a Utah Youth Symphony member, created a Change.org petition to save Abravanel Hall. The petition quickly garnered over 50,000 signatures, signaling widespread community support. The nomination process for the Hall to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) began at the end of May, with the final draft due to the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in July for inclusion in the September agenda.
Key figures such as Lori Wike, Principal Bassoonist for the Utah Symphony, and Adrienne White, House Genealogy, who championed the Hall's preservation, played vital roles in mobilizing public support. Together with Mercedes Smith, Barbara Scowcroft, Karen Wyatt, and other musician representatives, provided powerful testimony on the Hall’s value to symphonic music. These musicians, alongside the Utah Youth Symphony, were instrumental in opposing plans to demolish the building. Maurice Abravanel’s widow, Carolyn Abravanel, joined the advocacy work, lending credibility and awareness to the coalition. Her involvement further galvanized the movement, highlighting the deep historical and personal significance of the Hall to both the community and the Abravanel legacy.
Bree Scheer played a pivotal role in the coalition’s advocacy, working daily for nearly five months to preserve Abravanel Hall. She helped secure a critical negative vote from the Planning Commission, authored an early Salt Lake Tribune editorial, and conducted key research on the site’s history and renovation costs. She co-authored the AIA response, advised musicians, lobbied city officials, and testified before the City Council and Landmarks Commission. She also delivered lectures and was featured in major media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg News, The Salt Lake Tribune, KSL, and NPR.
By June, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted unanimously against the proposed zoning text amendment, recommending the preservation of Abravanel Hall in its current location with funds allocated toward a modest renovation. In July, Adrienne White completed the final draft of the National Register nomination despite the tight 48-day deadline. At the same time, the support of John Williams, composer, and conductor, was secured through a letter he wrote to preserve the Hall, marking a significant public endorsement. This momentum continued with musicians David Porter and other advocates appearing on public platforms like the City Cast Salt Lake and Radio West Podcast in August, raising awareness about the cultural importance of Abravanel Hall.
In September, the National Register Public Hearing saw the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission unanimously recommend Abravanel Hall for listing on the NRHP. This recommendation was forwarded to the State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Register State Review Committee unanimously voted to forward the nomination to the National Park Service for final approval. Abravanel Hall (formerly Symphony Hall) was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 2025.
Throughout this process, the local community continued to push for preservation through various channels, including the Revitalization Zone Committee's endorsement of the Hall's renovation in September. Elected officials such as Salt Lake County Council Members James Bradley and David Alvord, Salt Lake City Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez, and Senators Daniel McKay and Kirk Cullimore played important roles in advocating for the Hall’s preservation.
October proved to be a pivotal month in the fight to save Abravanel Hall. The Salt Lake City Council passed a resolution recognizing the Hall as a cultural and architectural icon, committing to a comprehensive plan for its preservation. The effort gained national attention shortly after the New York Times featured the musicians' campaign in a prominent article. The momentum continued as the Salt Lake County Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing strong support for the Hall's preservation. This wave of support marked a significant turning point in the battle to protect the Hall.
