Salt Lake City's downtown is thriving despite the pandemic

Salt Lake City's downtown has been bucking the trend of decline faced by many downtown areas in the United States post-pandemic. The city's downtown saw a surge in activity, with cell phone data indicating that it reached 139% of its pre-COVID activity level. This growth can be attributed to various factors, such as the city's fast-growing tech and finance sectors, its great access to nature, and the construction of numerous apartments in the downtown area. The availability of housing in the city center has attracted young people and professionals, contributing to a vibrant and lively downtown scene. However, the future of Salt Lake City's growth is threatened by the shrinking of the nearby Great Salt Lake, which presents ecological, economic, and health risks.