Gala fundraiser announced for relocation of Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove
Even though financing for the proposed relocation of the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove is unidentified, much less formally approved by Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and her city council, Sacramento Zoological is proceeding as if it was.
A posting on the Sacramento Zoo’s website has announced its September 30 Twilight Safari Gala. The announcement says, “All proceeds from Twilight Safari will help the Sacramento Zoological Society in our efforts to build a state-of-the-art New Zoo in Elk Grove.”
Individual tickets are $300, and sponsorships are available. Recognizable sponsors included PepsiCo, U.S. Banks, and the Sacramento-based Downey Brand law firm.
Although Singh-Allen and her four city councilmen have yet to formally approve the project and its planned taxpayer-funded expenditures for relocation and construction costs, they have given a de facto approval. That tacit approval came when Singh-Allen directed the city to spend $9.5 million of taxpayer money to purchase 100 acres in the Southeast Policy Area for a zoo site. The city has also initiated design standards and environmental documents.
While the announcement two years ago of the relocation generated significant attention, there has been little public disclosure of the project’s progress. The most recent discussion of the zoo project came during the June 14 Elk Grove City Council meeting.
During that meeting, Councilmember Rod Brewer spoke glowingly of the progress for the relocation. However, after hearing Brewer, Singh-Allen downplayed his assessment (see the video below for their commentaries).
Although Singh-Allen has not identified funding for the zoo, she has promised Measure E will not be used. Measure E was approved in 2022 and has raised consumer taxes in Elk Grove by an estimated $23 million annually for various purposes.
