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Published on November 08, 2024
Sacramento City Council to Decide on Transformative $321M Downtown Railyards Project Featuring Soccer StadiumSource: City of Sacramento

The Sacramento City Council is slated to cast their votes next Tuesday on a proposed development in the Downtown Railyards, which includes a new soccer stadium for Sacramento Republic FC and a live entertainment venue. As reported by the Sacramento City Express, this $321 million project could play a key role in reenergizing the Railyards area, ushering in private investments and community benefits.

Spearheading the stadium development, the Wilton Rancheria Tribe is expected to acquire Sacramento Republic FC, marking a significant partnership in the project. Mayor Darrell Steinberg shared his enthusiasm at a recent City Hall press conference: "Our journey to bring professional soccer to The Railyards began eight years ago. Today is a powerful testament to our commitment to creating a more vibrant and thriving Sacramento," as noted by the Sacramento City Express. The project aims to foster not only economic growth but also to enhance housing options, entertainment, and commercial activity within the city.

The project is composed of two primary segments: a soccer stadium featuring 12,000 seats, which is a $226 million undertaking funded privately by Indomitable LLC, and a live entertainment venue, which will innovate the historic Central Shops into a 3,600-seat space with $95 million in private funding. The proposal also includes significant investment in infrastructure, supported by the expansion of the Stadium Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD), which will reimburse infrastructure costs with the generated property tax revenue over the next 45 years.

A Term Sheet outlining the larger investment plans will be presented for the Sacramento City Council's approval. This includes numerous community benefits, such as a $4.5 million charitable donation package, the provision of free youth clinics, the construction of community fields, and public access to facilities, as detailed in a statement released by city officials. Additionally, $14 million in city economic development funds are set to be used to acquire parcels for the Sacramento Valley Station Area Plan, which will then be fully reimbursed through the EIFD. Privately financed contributions worth $92 million are earmarked to improve the Railyards infrastructure to notably provide transportation, water, and sewer upgrades, with reimbursement again coming from the EIFD.

Economic forecasts suggest the stadium will create 910 jobs, while the entertainment venue could add another 390. Infrastructure work is anticipated to generate an additional 360 positions. Regarding the development's significance, Chairman Jesus Tarango, Jr. of Wilton Rancheria stated to the Sacramento City Express, "In just over a decade, our Tribe has transformed from landless to becoming a significant economic force in the region. The opportunity to drive a project of such scale and importance, on land where our ancestors once walked, is deeply meaningful."

The Railyards precinct, once an industrial hub, is undergoing a transformation into a lively, mixed-use extension of downtown Sacramento. Already underway are diverse developments like the Wong Center for senior housing and the AJ mixed-use project incorporating affordable housing, along with the upcoming Kaiser hospital. The soccer stadium and entertainment venue are poised to be key landmarks of the Railyards development, expected to be completed by late 2026 and 2027, respectively. More information on the term sheet and a detailed city staff report are available on the city's website.