Sacramento Zoo is moving to Elk Grove. What will happen to its current site in Land Park?

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The Sacramento Zoo is officially moving to Elk Grove, after nearly four years of discussion and planning.

The Elk Grove City Council finalized the decision on Wednesday night, voting 4-1 to approve construction of the $302 million project.

The planned development will have dedicate 65 acres for the zoo near Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, west of Highway 99 near Sky River Casino, allowing for more animal exhibits and larger spaces for expanded habitats.

What will happen to the zoo’s current site in Land Park?

“Are there plans for the current site of the zoo, after it is relocated to Elk Grove?” a reader asked The Sacramento Bee. “I’d love to learn more about who that land belongs to, whether there are plans for its future use, and whether there will be opportunity for the community to weigh in.”

Here’s what we know so far.

Who owns the Sacramento Zoo’s current site?

The Sacramento Zoo has been a fixture in the Land Park neighborhood since 1927.

It’s located at 3930 West Land Park Drive in Sacramento.

The property is owned by the city of Sacramento.

What will happen to Land Park property after move?

There aren’t any plans yet for the Land Park property after the zoo moves to Elk Grove.

“If and when the time comes to plan for the redevelopment of the current zoo site, the city will engage with broader stakeholders and the surrounding community to ensure their involvement in determining the land’s future use,” said Jennifer Singer, a spokeswoman with the city of Sacramento.

Will parts of the zoo move to Elk Grove too?

There might be some remnants of the old Sacramento Zoo at its new home in Elk Grove.

“We did build many of our more recent habitats that have components that we might be able to move to the new zoo,” said Lesley Kirrene, the Sacramento Zoo’s director of institutional advancement and marketing.

However, many habitats — which were built in the 1960s — won’t be moving to the new site, Kirrene said, since the Elk Grove space is bigger and the exhibits will be laid out differently.

When will the new zoo open in Elk Grove?

According to the city of Elk Grove’s website, the soonest it anticipates the zoo to open is 2029.

“The city will be coordinating with the zoo on the likely time-frame and next steps,” Singer said. “That will inform the planning and community engagement process.”