SACRAMENTO, Calif — UC Davis' plan to expand its university footprint in Sacramento with a new development in Oak Park called Aggie Square is facing pushback.
The UC Davis Board of Regents approved the so-called "innovation hub" with the promise of new jobs, housing, and retail. But the development is sparking concerns about gentrification.
UC Davis Chancellor Gary May told ABC10 that the university is modeling off the Tech Square in Atlanta.
"Tech Square truly is the heart of Atlanta's tech scene," May said. "It's where you go to find breakthrough talent, breakthrough ideas, and breakthrough companies."
May said Tech Square became the highest density of startups, corporate innovation centers, academic research labs, and students.
The group Sacramento Investment Without Displacement filed legal action against the project. One of the group's big concerns is how the city invests in the neighborhoods most impacted by UC Davis without displacing existing residents and local businesses in the Oak Park and Tahoe Park areas.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he's concerned the lawsuit could delay the project. A spokesperson for the group behind the lawsuit released a statement that the lawsuit would not stop the construction.
"We can have it all," Steinberg said. "We can have job creation and new industries at the same time keep the neighborhoods affordable."
Steinberg said the City of Sacramento and UC Davis are working together on a community benefits agreement.
Aggie Square Planning Director Robert Segar said the project would generate property tax value.
"Some of that property tax value has been identified to create an affordable housing trust fund that could be directed right back into those neighborhoods to try to invest in affordable housing."
Segar said the new development also means jobs for the community.
UC Davis officials hope to break ground later in 2021.
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