A state-of-the-art zoo is officially coming to Elk Grove after a marathon City Council session that resulted in a 4-1 vote to approve construction of the $302 million project.
The Elk Grove City Council approved the long-awaited decision Wednesday evening, capping nearly four years of discussions, planning and negotiations to move the Sacramento Zoo from Land Park, where it has been since 1927. The approval is occurred at the end of the five years. one hour meeting; Councilman Kevin Spease voted against the green light, saying the project needed more taxpayer oversight.
The city council chambers were packed as dozens of eager people applauded after the historic vote on a plan that the city’s projects could bring more than a million visitors a year to Elk Grove and generate A jobs estimated at $249 million in the region over the next five years.
The planned 103-acre development will include 65 acres dedicated to the zoo near Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, west of Highway 99 near Sky River Casino, specifically for relocation and expansion.
This move will allow for the growth of more animal exhibits and larger spaces for expanded habitats. Zoo officials say the new zoo will be home to more than 400 different animals and will include a 23-acre African savannah that will be home to rhinos, giraffes, lions and cheetahs.
The new zoo’s main facility would be larger than the entire Houston Zoo, which occupies 55 acres, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, which covers 45 acres. In comparison, Land Park’s current location spans 14.7 acres.
“People are excited about this,” Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said during Wednesday’s meeting. “There’s a lot of buzz out there…I know I’m personally committed to working with the Zoological Society to be successful.” I’m investing in our city to say, “Yes, we can.” Yes we will.'”
Community members step in
Attendees gathered at the meeting with items from the Sacramento Zoo, such as paper headbands designed like animal ears, and stickers that read “I support a new zoo in Elk Grove.”
At least 40 people chose to speak during public comments at Wednesday’s council meeting regarding the zoo. Most were excited about the idea of a new zoo in Elk Grove.
Maggie Ellis, a fifth-grade teacher at Carroll Elementary School, said she sent an email, gauging interest in the new zoo, to many educators in the Elk Grove Unified School District.
She reported that more than 80 percent of educators responded that they would be interested in the zoo for educational reasons, and more than 85 percent were interested for personal reasons.
Randy Rojas, who…
