Today, in a bold step toward revitalizing one of Downtown’s most iconic public spaces, the SLC Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced a signed agreement to explore the creation of a public-private partnership for managing Pioneer Park. The Alliance envisions staffed amenities, daily programming and a multi-purpose public building for community events and the Downtown Farmers Market. The Alliance’s uniformed Downtown Ambassadors would provide a visible, hospitable, daily presence in the park. “Our success programming in Pioneer Park is a model for creating a vibrant park every day of the week,” said Dee Brewer, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. “Pioneer Park has endured a bad reputation for decades. We know we can change the chemistry of the park. We have done it every summer Saturday for 34 years with the Downtown Farmers Market. Pioneer Park is safe, active, and communal on market days. We are ready to build on that success to vitalize the park and the neighborhood.” MORE INFORMATION: https://www.slcfarmersmarket.org/market-building (fb)

The Downtown Farmers Market Kick-Off Party is tomorrow! If you haven’t purchased your tickets, we think these food photos will do the trick! Marisol Pitta-Perez with Empanadas801 will be baking and bringing beef, chicken, and vegan empanadas! New vendor Marcato Kitchen, will impress with a selection of homemade steamy strombolis! Longtime vendor Andrew Corrao, owner of Forty Three Bakery will bring a selection of their beautiful (and yummy) cakes, cookies, and brownies! PS: Have you visited their super cool new brick and mortar location tucked away on the west side? Worth a visit! Another new vendor, Leo at Grumpy Dough is bringing Filipino Beef Steak sandwiches and spring rolls! (Obviously, this is not a photo of those items, but of our favorite breakfast sandwich they offer.) Sweet heart of the park, Ana Valdemoros is bringing 100 lemon beef empanadas! They’re called Argentina’s Best Empanadas for a reason! Our neighbor and friends at Carlucci’s are bringing a mixed platter of cookies. Don’t worry, you can always go for a run tomorrow! Finally, have you tried Channing’s German Bier Mustard? She and her team at Vosen’s Bread Paradise make it with the right amount of spice and bit of honey for a light sweetness. For the Mustard Lover—it can be eaten alone. But, she will also bring their famous pretzels! There will be a lot more delicious food, too! Tagge’s, Liberty Heights Fresh, Grey Rabbit, Rico’s, Salsa Del Diablo, Happeas, Caputo’s, Epicurean Chefs, Tankinz, Gerome’s, International Gourmet, Blended Table, and Squatter’s will also bring a buffet of bites! (fb)