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The relocation project, first proposed in 2021, aimed to move the aging Land Park facility to a larger, modern site in Elk Grove near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway. Photo courtesy of City of Elk Grove

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Plans to relocate the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove have been officially canceled, bringing an end to years of planning and negotiations.

The announcement was made on April 30via a city news release.

The relocation project, first proposed in 2021, aimed to move the aging Land Park facility to a larger, modern site in Elk Grove near Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway. Zoo leaders and city officials had hoped the move would address concerns about outdated infrastructure, limited space, and animal welfare at the current location.

The project, initially estimated at $302 million, was to be financed through a combination of Elk Grove city funds, private fundraising, development fees and bond financing. The City of Elk Grove had committed $93 million, largely from its General Fund Reserve, casino payments and community facility district revenues.

According to a city news release, the Sacramento Zoological Society “no longer see the effort to build a new zoo in Elk Grove as viable,” due to concerns over economic uncertainty, construction costs, future operating costs and the scale of the projects first phase, as well as the ability to fund future plans.

According to a FAQ page surrounding the zoo, the event pavilion, permanent classrooms, overnight guest accommodations and Okapi Aviary were cost engineered out of the program. The pavilion and education programs, such as summer camp and guest accommodations, were outlined as revenue-generating items that would have contributed to the profits for the zoo.

“We know this decision may be disappointing to some of our supporters,” Robert Churchill, interim CEO of the Sacramento Zoological Society said. “Please know we considered that fact, and that this was not a decision taken lightly. However, we truly believe that ending the Elk Grove project is the most responsible choice for the long-term sustainability and success of the zoo.”

The initial phase of the new zoo was also expected to house fewer species than the current zoo in Land Park, 30 species, compared to the 94 at the current location.

“This is a deeply disappointing outcome for all of us who believed in the vision for the zoo and what it could have meant for our community and the region,” Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said in a statement. “I want to thank the Sacramento Zoological Society for their partnership over the past several years and for their belief in our City. 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.”

The Sacramento Zoological Society was expected to raise $50 million of the anticipated $80 million in private donations. Additionally, the city planned to issue $114.5 million in bonds, with $7.8 million in annual repayments split between the city and the society.

Over the years, experts and advocates have raised concerns that the Sacramento Zoo, which opened in 1927, is no longer able to meet modern standards for animal care or to accommodate future growth. The current zoo is approximately 15 acres.

Plans for the new site in Elk Grove would have expanded the zoo to 64 acres and included upgraded exhibits and facilities. The project was in the fundraising stage of development before being shelved.

Elk Grove had already invested in early studies, planning and community outreach. Officials say the city will now evaluate alternative uses for the site that had been earmarked for the zoo project.

“We are grateful to the City of Elk Grove and its residents for embracing the bold vision that began our partnership,” society Board Chair Elizabeth Stallard said in the news release. “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.”

The Sacramento Zoological Society is expected to revisit options for improving or redeveloping the current Land Park site. According to the release, the zoo and the city plan to unwind the arrangements between both entities in the coming weeks and months.

Elk Grove leaders plan to consider an alternative option for the site later.

For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the city's website at elkgrove.gov/zoo or the Sacramento Zoo's website at saczoo.org.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

The years-long journey of relocating the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove has come to an abrupt halt after the Sacramento Zoological Society announced Wednesday that the move is no longer happening.

A news release stated that the relocation would no longer be "financially or operationally sustainable." Robert Churchill, interim CEO of the Zoological Society, said the original vision of a 65-acre state-of-the-art zoo "has been fading."

Churchill explained that as the size of the development kept shrinking, it came to the point where the Elk Grove location would have housed fewer species than what is currently at Land Park.

"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," Churchill said.

Churchill said that they are now in the process of figuring out what's next for the zoo.

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"We know this decision may be disappointing to some of our supporters," Churchill said. "Please know we considered that fact, and that this was not a decision taken lightly."

A release from the Sacramento Zoo also echoed the society's concerns about the sustainability of the zoo, citing economic uncertainty and increased construction costs that "created an unacceptable level of risk for the project."

“This is a deeply disappointing outcome for all of us who believed in the vision for the zoo and what it could have meant for our community and the region,” said Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen in a news release. “I want to thank the Sacramento Zoological Society for their partnership over the past several years and for their belief in our City. 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.”

The Elk Grove City Council approved plans for the Elk Grove location in May 2024, but discussions for the zoo's relocation had been ongoing since 2021.

In February, city council members were deliberating a name for the zoo, which resulted in lengthy discussions.

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ELK GROVE, Calif. — A new Elk Grove shopping center is taking shape, with major national brands preparing to open their doors in 2026.

The Village, a 110,150-square-foot shopping center, will be located at Elk Grove and Big Horn boulevards near Highway 99. A year after breaking ground, the project is on track to complete construction by the end of the year, according to developers.

Despite some weather-related delays, Richard Teerlink, the project’s development manager, said progress remains strong.

“We’re tracking to finish all of our vertical construction, which is the building shells, and the majority of the landscaping by this November,” Teerlink told ABC10. “That will complete about 110,000 square feet of retail area for the Village Shopping Center.”

The shopping plaza is about 90% pre-leased, with roughly 10,000 square feet still available. The confirmed lineup includes anchor tenant Whole Foods — the city’s first location — along with Yard House, Mendocino Farms, Philz Coffee, NuYo Frozen Yogurt and Shake Shack.

Credit: Architect Orange

Mendocino Farms, Philz Coffee and Shake Shack are expected to open first, sometime in spring 2026. Whole Foods is projected to open in summer 2026, while Yard House may open earlier.

“We are very excited to be bringing Whole Foods to Elk Grove, and they’re very excited to be opening up in that market,” Teerlink said.

Teerlink also noted that Bank of America and SchoolsFirst Credit Union will be part of the shopping center. Due to federal regulatory processes, Bank of America is expected to be the last to open, likely in fall or winter 2026.

Kelly Rule, vice president of leasing for Pappas Investments, said there are eight tenants signed, with “maybe one to two spaces” still available.

While Teerlink and Rule did not confirm additional future tenants, they said the center is nearing full capacity.

“The shopping center is going to be upscale and something very new and exciting for Elk Grove,” Rule said.

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