What does the future hold for this vacant 102-acre site in South Sacramento

This large, vacant City-owned property has received a significant amount of attention and speculation in recent years.

What does the future hold for the 102-acre site in South Sacramento, which the City purchased in 2022 from the federal government for $12.3 million?

Planners from the City's Department of Community Development last week presented an "opportunities and constraints" analysis to the City Council to help inform the ongoing discussion about potential uses.

"It's about setting the foundation, guided by the community, to make sure that we set this development up in a way that is going to be the most beneficial to uplift all of our families in South Sacramento," said Councilmember Mai Vang, who represents the district where the site is located.

Associate Planner Alexi Wordell, who led the presentation, said the site, which has been vacant since 1978, presents challenges for development because it is "landlocked" and lacks permanent roadway access. In addition, there are environmental issues related to storm drainage and wetland habitat that must be considered.

Building on information gathered during community listening sessions hosted by Vang - as well as a charrette held by the City - planners identified four key community desires for the site:

• Inclusive economic development
• Community amenities
• Access to affordable housing
• Support for unhoused neighbors

A consultant hired by the City then prepared a market-demand assessment of the land-type uses. The assessment found that mixed-income housing, mix of housing and other uses, recreation/sports/parks and interim homeless support "were shown to have higher feasibility due to demand in combination with the site's location and proximity to other uses," Wordell said.

Other uses considered less feasible included office space, a grocery store and a hotel. The assessment found that a small amount of retail could potentially be supported under the right conditions, and that interim homeless services could only be supported "once roadways and utilities are developed for the site," Wordell said.

Based on the feasibility, the consultants prepared land-use concepts based on two primary elements: a sports and recreational area and residential housing. Estimated development costs were also presented:

• Full site sports complex - $127.4 million
• Sports complex mixed with housing - $98.7-$99.5 million
• Residential housing only - $52.2 million (with revenue from the land sale generating a net gain of $33.7 for the City.)

Mayor Darrell Steinberg in his 2022 State of the City address had proposed using the102-acre site as a youth sports complex.

"It's going to be up to the future Council to say OK, this is the vision, here are the resources, here's the private-sector partner we have," Steinberg said following the recent presentation. "And it has to be available for the kids and the young people of Sacramento, but it also has to be an economic driver."

Next steps

Now that the opportunities and constraints analysis has been presented to Council, City staff will be sharing the findings with the broader community. In the coming months, the City will be working with key community members to engage residents and other interested parties.

City staff anticipates coming to Council in summer or fall 2024 to ask for a decision on the types of land uses for the site and how it should be developed. At minimum, the site would take at least six years to develop after the Council provides direction.

"We look forward to working with the City Council and the community to take this site to the next step of development," Wordell said.

To stay up to date on the project, visit the 102-Acre Site web page and sign up for the project's email alerts.

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