The site is perfect, now that the others have been tried and found wanting.
Jeff Morales: An arena at Cal-Expo fits smart growth
By Jeff Morales -
Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, November 8, 2007
The proposal for a new basketball arena for the Sacramento Kings at Cal Expo has created excitement, and stirred some expected debate. One of the concerns is the proposed arena's impact on traffic.
Is traffic an issue? Sure.
But, it can be managed, and in fact, this could be a great opportunity for the region to address long-standing transportation needs in the area.
The section of Business 80 that curls around the American River at Cal Expo was built in 1960 to accommodate traffic for the Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. Over time, development extended out from this central artery, and though these plans brought traffic, they also spurred economic growth and a legacy for the community.
Now, a new arena, combined with other sound development at Cal Expo, could promote sensible growth and a fresh legacy for our region. As noted in The Bee's Oct. 2 editorial, this opportunity would allow for "a year-round entertainment district," and it would be better than ever.
A new arena would bring traffic, but before assuming the worst, let's take the time to understand what those impacts are and how they can be managed. A look at the numbers suggests that the new arena could be more of a catalyst for addressing existing and projected needs.
• Currently, an average of 45,000 visitors daily attend the fair over 16 days at Cal Expo, compared to the 17,000 or so who attend a Kings game or other event.
• Arden Fair Mall sees an increased number of visitors during the holiday season. Cal Expo offers the potential for much-needed overflow parking.
• The existing roadway system serving the area now handles 250,000 cars daily. An arena would draw 7,000 or fewer cars, mostly in off-peak traffic periods.
