What is in the area where the new planned Sacramento Zoo will be built?
(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento Zoo’s relocation is closer to reality after the Elk Grove City Council Council approved development plans for the zoo during their meeting on Wednesday.
The project will undergo its construction in multiple phases with the first phase costing an estimated $300 million.
The city of Elk Grove will provide $90 million for the project with the remaining funding coming from bond financing, developer fees and community partners including the Zoological Society.
The zoo is expected to be built in the area near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway, which is in the southern end of Elk Grove and could be an area that sees further development in the future.
What to know about the Sacramento Zoo’s move to Elk Grove
What is built around the area?
The area is west of the Sky River Casino and is largely agricultural, but the area is growing with residential neighborhoods and community parks already in place.
Sky River Casino, which opened in August 2022, is a 100,000-squre foot building and is located off Highway 99.
The casino was built after the city of Elk Grove and the Wilton Rancheria tribe reached an agreement in March 2021 to build the casino 15 miles south of Sacramento.
Before the casino deal came into fruition, the original plans for the site was to build a mall. A deal was struck with Boyd Gaming Corporation after previous plans for the mall broke down.
In the residential neighborhood next to the planned zoo site is Entrican Park, which opened in August 2022. The park is 5.25 acres and has a musical theme due to music-themed street names nearby.
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The park’s design has several musical instruments, two large play areas, an adult fitness station, and half-court basketball.
According to the city of Elk Grove, the park is named after lifelong residents Jim and Annaclare Saner Entrican, who both served the city with volunteerism.
Kammerer Family Park is another park located near the new zoo site. The park, which is 13.66 acres, is in a residential neighborhood northeast of the planned relocated zoo.
The park features an amphitheater with grass seating, adult fitness station, full court basketball, two children’s playgrounds, swings, tennis courts and a soccer field.
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