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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sacramento Zoo Feasibility Study
by Michael Zwahlen, published on July 16, 2010 at 2:08 PM
Storyline: State and local issues
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This Tuesday the City Council will look over a two year study by the Community Development Department Zoo feasibility study. The Sacramento Zoological Society Long Range Planning Committee had identified Sutter's Landing Regional Park as their preferred site for a modest expansion of the zoo, but alternative sites have also been located for a future zoo.
Cost Premium of Construction on former landfill:
Construction costs will be significantly higher (to account for ground settling and special drainage treatment); thus, it is expected that construction of a zoo on this site would cost $625K/acre ($30 million total for a 50 acre zoo) above the "normal" costs of constructing a zoo on a site without landfill issues.
In addition to Sutter's Landing Regional Park, the consultant conducted preliminary evaluations of other potential sites:
• Natomas Joint Vision: This land area has no land use entitlements or habitat conservation permits.
• Arco Arena area: This site is part of the Convergence proposal
• Job Corps / Delta Shores Regional Park: The southern portion of the Job Corps site has not yet been surplused by the federal government
• North Natomas Regional Park: Already programmed for other uses
• Haggin Oaks Golf Course: This would require reconfiguration of the existing golf course and there may be competition from other potential users
• Cal Expo: This site is part of the Convergence proposal
• Granite Regional Park - east basin: This site is.difficult to evacuate in the event of drainage pump failure
• Bartley Cavanaugh Golf Course: This site would require reconfiguration or elimination of the existing golf course.
The study emphasized that:
• The decision and actions to move forward with a zoo of the future are long range planning activities (a 20 year timeframe).
• There are no imminent plans to move or expand the zoo; options are provided for preliminary consideration.
• The community and PRC workshops are an important step in exploring those options for the long term future of the zoo.
The Feasibility Study concluded that:
• The current 14 acre site of the Land Park zoo is not sustainable for the future. The changing exhibit requirements, increasing operating costs, and stagnant revenues, are resulting in a zoo that offers fewer exhibits. Parking is limited and cannot fully accommodate visitors on weekends or during busy seasons.
• Sutter's Landing Regional Park is not well suited for a zoo. The site poses a number of tough challenges (e.g., building new access roads and constructing zoo facilities on a former landfill).
• Initial findings are that other sites are potentially better suited for a future zoo.
• Physically, Land Park could potentially accommodate a modest expansion.
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LisaB23
July 17, 2010 | 10:10 AM
On a recent trip there to see the baby tiger it looked as though a modest expansion is possible along the back as it backs up to the road and golf course. Can the golf course or ampitheatre be relocated? At the current location, and parking could be reconfigured to make more spaces. The zoo access from Sutterville does not put traffic into the adjacent to neighborhoods. Not living there I can't speak for how it impacts neighbors but I have seen plenty of examples where good design mitigates a lot of the negative impacts.
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Ahsan Awan
August 1, 2010 | 5:44 PM
The Zoo is an important part of our community, providing educational, cultural, and economic enrichment. It's important for Sacramento to maintain it. The much needed expansion requires a relocation that will cause some shift in opportunity, culture, and economy. However, the feasibility study conclusions are clear: the current site is insufficient to sustain operations. It's time to move.
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