The city of West Sacramento revived plans for a new waterfront entertainment district along the banks of the Sacramento River, across from Sacramento's marina and Miller Park.The city envisions developing 200 acres of waterfront property currently owned by the city on both sides of the barge canal that once connected the river to the port."We want it to be a draw. We want it to be a destination where folks will come and spend a lot of time," Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said.Most of the property is blocked off while the Pioneer Bluff Bridge, which will provide access to the area, is built. Riders frequently take their dirt bikes out to the area. Other sections have been used as industrial areas for years.Officials estimate that once built, the entertainment district could include 890,000 square feet of retail, almost 2 million square feet of office space and become home to more than 2,000 new residents.At the heart of the project would be new venues for live entertainment. Cabaldon said the city won't settle for another strip mall here and has brought in one of the country's premier developers, Cordish."Cordish is really about making stuff happen. So they have their own entertainment division. They invented the ESPN Zone concept. They have licenses with the Hard Rock Café and others," Cabaldon said.Sacramento resident Max Kenngott thinks the district would enhance access to this part of the river."I think a lot of people will enjoy it, and it probably would open it up to a lot more people and let them enjoy it," Kenngott said.The plans stalled for years after the state cut off redevelopment agencies.Now the city has asked the developer to revive the project and bring back more specific plans to consider.

The city of West Sacramento revived plans for a new waterfront entertainment district along the banks of the Sacramento River, across from Sacramento's marina and Miller Park.

The city envisions developing 200 acres of waterfront property currently owned by the city on both sides of the barge canal that once connected the river to the port.


"We want it to be a draw. We want it to be a destination where folks will come and spend a lot of time," Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said.

Most of the property is blocked off while the Pioneer Bluff Bridge, which will provide access to the area, is built. Riders frequently take their dirt bikes out to the area. Other sections have been used as industrial areas for years.

Officials estimate that once built, the entertainment district could include 890,000 square feet of retail, almost 2 million square feet of office space and become home to more than 2,000 new residents.

At the heart of the project would be new venues for live entertainment.



Cabaldon said the city won't settle for another strip mall here and has brought in one of the country's premier developers, Cordish.

"Cordish is really about making stuff happen. So they have their own entertainment division. They invented the ESPN Zone concept. They have licenses with the Hard Rock Café and others," Cabaldon said.

Sacramento resident Max Kenngott thinks the district would enhance access to this part of the river.

"I think a lot of people will enjoy it, and it probably would open it up to a lot more people and let them enjoy it," Kenngott said.

The plans stalled for years after the state cut off redevelopment agencies.

Now the city has asked the developer to revive the project and bring back more specific plans to consider.