ELK GROVE, Calif. — California State Senator Angelique Ashby was a Sacramento City Councilmember in Natomas when the city's zoo began planning its move to Elk Grove.
Ashby said she was very involved in the initial process, then she was elected to represent both Sacramento and Elk Grove in the California State Senate in 2022.
That's when she said she drafted Senate Bill 739 with hopes to help Elk Grove city officials speed up and streamline the construction of their new zoo.
"Before, you had to have all the designs complete then put out a bid for contracts. A project like this could be more difficult to phase," Ashby said. "Had (city officials) gone that route, it would take six years to build on that project. If we use the legislative process for a 'manager at risk contract' — it will shorten the project time substantially."
If passed, SB 739 would allow construction to continue while designs for future construction is still being developed. The initial construction manager could also become a project manager.
"It's the way private industry builds, more cost efficiency and it moves faster," Ashby said.
The bill is currently sitting in the Assembly Rules Committee waiting to be assigned to a policy committee. Ashby said she added an urgency clause to fast track the legislation, but she has a high-degree of confidence it will be passed.
Elk Grove Director of Strategic Planning and Innovation Christopher Jordan told city councilmembers at a Planning Commission meeting that they want the legislation to hire a construction management firm for the zoo as soon as this fall.
