Published Wednesday, April 30.
The proposed relocation of the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove is ending, the Sacramento Zoological Society and the City of Elk Grove announced today.
The relocated zoo was to be on a 65-acre site near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway in Elk Grove.
“As design work proceeded, it became clear that the new zoo’s size would be dramatically reduced, and critical features would be eliminated to control construction costs and stay within budget,” Robert Churchill, interim CEO of the Sacramento Zoological Society, stated online.
He wrote that the new scaled-down version of the zoo would house fewer species of animals than the Land Park location, adding it would not be “financially or operationally sustainable.”
According to the site's FAQ, the new zoo would require decades and significant additional investments to complete.
This announcement came months after the Sacramento Zoological Society made financial progress in January, reaching its $17.5 million fundraising milestone.
Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen stated in a press release that it’s a disappointing outcome for everyone who believed in the zoo's vision and its potential impact on the community and the region.
“I want to thank the Sacramento Zoological Society for their partnership over the past several years and for their belief in our City,” Singh-Allen said. “Despite the decision to discontinue the project, the City of Elk Grove will continue to dream big and pursue projects that will enhance our community and ensure that Elk Grove becomes a regional destination.”
Singh-Allen said in a video announcement, “to be clear, the city fulfilled all of its obligations under the project agreement and our commitment to completing the project has never wavered. But we understand the decision by the Society.”
The Society’s Board Chair, Elizabeth Stallard, added in the press release that they are grateful to the City of Elk Grove for embracing the vision that began their partnership.
“We are disappointed that we will not be able to realize the dream we shared. However, the Society remains committed to ensuring that this region will continue to have a vibrant and beautiful zoo long into the future,” she said.
Discussions of the relocation of the zoo to Elk Grove have been ongoing since 2021.
The City of Elk Grove and Society will move forward over the next few weeks and months to “unwind the arrangements between both entities,” according to the press release.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today
