Proposed Elk Grove-Sacramento Zoo comes to an end
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2025/04/proposed-elk-grove-sacramento-zoo-comes.html
During the early stages of the proposed relocation of the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen spoke passionately about the project's purpose, saying, "It's really about the animals."
With this morning's unexpected but not surprising announcement of the end of the $300 million zoo project, the relocation was not about the animals. Turns out it was about the Benjamins, or rather the lack thereof.
The official statement attributed the dissolution to economic uncertainties expressed by the Sacramento Zoological Society, the zoo's operator. The statement said:
"The Society shared with the City of Elk Grove that they no longer see efforts to build a new zoo in Elk Grove as viable. Factors outside of either organization’s control, such as economic uncertainty and increased construction costs, have created an unacceptable level of risk for the project. Other concerns expressed by the Society, which it believes jeopardize the project’s long-term success, include questions over future operating costs, scope and scale of phase 1, and the ability to fund future phases."
Today's announcement failed to note that the project, which was approved on May 8, 2024, is being suspended because the Sacramento Zoological Society is unable to shoulder its share of the funds needed for the construction of the first phase. The SZS had committed to raising $50 million in cash, and Elk Grove was going to issue $114 million in bonds.
Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen first proposed the project in 2021 after the SZS had failed to identify alternative sites. The proposal was for the zoo to relocate from its 16-acre Land Park site to a 68-acre parcel Elk Grove purchased for the facility.
Even though Mayor Singh-Allen and the city council approved the proposal a year ago, the project had faced substantial headwinds. The biggest obstacle was the SZS's ability to raise $50 million.
Although the city stated in a recent monthly newsletter that the SZS had $17 million in pledges, Behrmann testified during the January 22 meeting that the city had received $1.9 million in cash.
During that city council meeting, Councilman Kevin Spease had Elk Grove City Manager Jason Behrmann and his colleagues verbally commit that the city would not proceed with the project until the SZS had secured $50 million in cash, not pledges.
Speaking to Behmann and his city council colleagues during that meeting, Spease said, "Before a shovel is turned on site, there will be cash in hand? Correct, correct, we all got it?" Behrmann and the city council affirmed Spease's query.
Interestingly, an update on the SZS's fundraising efforts is due tomorrow. The milestone established for May 1 was $27.5 million, followed by $30 million by January 1, 2026, $40 million by May 1, 2026, and finally $50 million by January 1, 2027.
Aside from haphazard efforts, which included a failed sponsorship proposal to the National Basketball Association's Sacramento Kings and a ridiculed fundraiser at a Sacramento-area Wendy's, representatives of the SZS were openly hostile toward Elk Grove City Councilman Kevin Spease, who expressed skepticism about the project.
During the May 8 meeting, where the zoo plan was approved, SZS officials attacked Spease. Former executive director Jason Jacobs and board president Elizabeth Stallard were bothered by Spease's request that the funds donated to the SZS be secured and given to Elk Grove before construction begins.
Last September, Jacobs resigned from his executive director position to relocate to Florida and spend more time with his family. The SZS has had an interim director since.
At the May 8 meeting, it was also revealed that the city had violated the state's landmark Open Meeting Law, also known as the Ralph M. Brown Act. After Spease made comments against the zoo that irritated City Councilman Rod Brewer, he said he was "pissed" that it was the first time he heard Spease's objection indicating the city council had discussed the matter in a manner that broke the law.
For Singh-Allen, the project's demise is a substantial political defeat. Rumored to seek higher office, Singh-Allen promoted the project to residents, arguing that it would serve as an economic engine and a significant part of her plan to transform Elk Grove into a tourist destination.
The city did not reveal what the 68-acre parcel, along with 32 more acres, that taxpayers purchased would be used for.
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5 comments
When that Jacob's zoo dude cited a $500 donation from a group of Brownies last year, that was all you needed to know this thing would collapse like a house of cards.
Most residents had no idea they were subsidizing the construction of the zoo through the use of budget reserves and supplemental property tax assessments.
Memo to City leaders: Next time you obligate residents to a long term boondoggle of a project---FIRST LET THE RESIDENTS VOTE ON IT TO SEE IF THEY WANT IT AND ARE WILLING TO HELP PAY FOR IT!
The City spent $9.5 million to purchase the zoo property and another $2 million from budget reserves for background studies, etc. Going forward, I expect the City to now cut a sweetheart of a deal to a favored commercial developer to build a subsidized strip center on the parcel we bought.
In a lot of cities, active residents would have cried RECALL many times over. But luckily for our bumbling, stumbling electeds, the apathy of Elk Grove voters lets them off the hook and keeps them in office until they decide to move on. I for one would be willing to hold the door open for them!
Remember when the mayor and city council were talking about corporate donors and naming rights for the zoo? These politicians are dangerous, delusional and dumb.
As usual, Elk Grove's "leadership" over promised and under delivered.
This project was doomed from the start. So much money was needed and the SZS was never going to come close to fulfilling their $50M obligation. It was just so obvious. Glad the mayor finally came to her senses before we all got taxed to death. As the Capt said, “leadership over promised and under delivered.” It’s too common an occurrence.
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