Artist rendering of the new Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Center

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The waiting is over in Sacramento. Last night the Sacramento City Council approved the downtown Entertainment and Sports Center (arena) project that will keep the Kings in town for the next 35-years. The final vote was 7-2 which has been the typical tallies for almost all of the legislation concerning the arena that has come before the body.

“Tonight’s vote is a historic moment for Sacramento and the culmination of years of hard work from so many in our city and our region,” said Mayor Kevin Johnson, “Sacramento has had a vision for its future and I am so proud of our community for their fight and resolve to ensure that vision became a reality. I can’t wait till groundbreaking in the fall.”

The vote means that work can begin on the demolition of the Downtown Mall and the former Macy’s building in order to begin construction of the new complex. All of the remaining tenants of the mall will vacate the property by the end of May.

“We want to thank Mayor Johnson and the Sacramento City Council for their leadership,” said Kings’ owner Vivek Ranadivé. “We are humbled by tonight’s historic vote and the opportunity to truly transform this great city. Most importantly, I want to thank Kings fans and the amazing people of the entire region for their passion and support.  As I’ve always said, the Sacramento Kings belong to you.”

The total cost of the arena project will be $477-million. The City of Sacramento will pay $223-million with the Kings providing $254-million. The Kings’ lease will start at $6.5-million per year and will contribute $391-million over the course of the 35-year lease. The city will raise its portion of the funds from bonds to be paid with parking revenues, hotel taxes and other revenue created by the arena project.

Demolition efforts will begin almost immediately. The groundbreaking for the project will take place in the fall. The opening of the Entertainment and Sports Center will be in October 2016.