Letters between Elk Grove, Sacramento Zoo reveal friction before zoo project's collapse
https://www.elkgrovenews.net/2025/06/letters-between-elk-grove-sacramento.html
Documents obtained by a public records request showed that in the weeks leading up to the April 30 announcement ending the Sacramento Zoo relocation project, there was considerable tension between the Sacramento Zoological Society and the City of Elk Grove. There were three letters from the Sacramento Zoological Society and one from Elk Grove City Manager Jason Berhmann, demonstrating claims and counterclaims.
In a three-part series, we will examine these documents and analyze how they contributed to the project's collapse. The letters in chronological order are:
- March 4, 2025, from the SZS to Behrmann
- March 21, 2025, from the SZS to Behrmann
- March 31, 2025, from Behramnn to the SZS
- April 25, 2025, from the SZS to Behrmann
In this segment, we will analyze the March 4 letter (see document below)
As customary, the three-page letter from the SZS Interim Executive Director, Robert Churchill, and Board President, Elizabeth Stallard, began civilly. After stating obligatory courtesies, the letter went on to reference the February SZS Board of Directors meeting with Studio Hansen Roberts (SHR). The Seattle-based SHR was hired to lead the design efforts for the zoo.
This decision to select SHR was made in collaboration by the city and the SZS and was part of the Memorandum of Understanding to explore the zoo relocation project. Quickly, the SZS complained that the scaled-down site, which included only the Phase 1A and eliminated Phase 1B, was problematic.
The letter noted that the reduced size of only Phase 1A was "much smaller animal collection than the current zoo (both by numbers and species) and a significantly-reduced visitor experience from where we began," and "quite simply, this is not the same project anymore."
The SZS acknowledged the need to control construction costs and noted that consultant SHR documented escalating costs at other zoo modernization projects. Given the cost estimations and the prospect of the project going over budget, the letter added, "there is every reason to believe that the scope of the project will be even smaller once we get ready to build it several years from now."
To rectify this, the SZS stated that financial assumptions needed to be reevaluated and urged hiring another party to provide an alternative construction cost estimate. Near the end, the letter also said, "We need to understand Elk Grove's commitment and expectations regarding cost-sharing terms, scope, and the timeline for future phases."
While there was little reference to the SZS's role in funding the construction of the zoo, during a city council meeting before the composition of this letter, Elk Grove City Councilmember Kevin Spease had City Manager Behrmann confirm on the record that the SZS had to have $50 million in cash, not pledges, before construction on the zoo could start.
Essentially, the SZS was telling Elk Grove that the plan for the initial $302 million project was not big enough to meet their needs for a new zoo. They wanted a bigger zoo.
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