SACRAMENTO - Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson outlined an ambitious and extended agenda in his State of the City address that included a bombshell announcement on the Sacramento Republic FC soccer team.
The Mayor saved his most dramatic element for last.
"The newest investor to the Sac Republic who will join our efforts to secure Major League Soccer in Sacramento is none other than the San Francisco 49'ers owner...Jed York," Johnson said, as attendees erupted in cheers.
York met with the media after shortly after saying he'd heard the Mayor's call for a, "3.0 city."
"We're hear to come to win. And I think we have a great opportunity to do it. And we're going to pull it together. I'm really excited. I think the time is now for an MLS franchise for Sacramento," York said.
Sources close to the team said York would be investing roughly the same amount as the Sacramento Kings franchise.
"Two of the best franchises in Northern California, absolutely, a huge deal," said Republic FC team president Warren Smith.
Johnson called for continued development of the railyards, with soccer partly in mind.
"It will be home to a stadium for our soon-to-be MLS franchise," Johnson said.
Earlier, the Mayor described a revitalized downtown, built around innovation, infrastructure and inclusion.
"To do that, we've had to stop thinking of Sacramento and our economy as confined within our city limits. The global economy has no boundaries, so neither should ours," Johnson said.
He said the continued development of the railyards could include a UC Davis "World Food Center" he said would help, "feed and nourish a growing planet."
The Mayor is convening a task force to study income inequality, "Including the possibility of raising the minimum wage so that working adults can earn enough to support their families and make their way into the middle class."
The Mayor promised a, "Renewed level of cooperation with my City Council colleagues," adding he would hold special forum across the city to allow the public to weigh in on the city budget.
Councilmember Jay Schenirer said he appreciates the ambitious agenda but also the focus on those most in need.
"I'm really enthused as well, talking about homeless issues, about housing downtown, about pre-school, about helping kids get into college," Schenirer said.
Johnson called for 10,000 new housing units to be built in downtown Sacramento over the next ten years, and called for 1,000 new jobs for veterans in the next year.
The Mayor's address seemed to gather solid reviews, including raves about a partnership with the 49ers.
"I jumped out of my chair. I was really excited about it. I think that's the right way to go," said Sacramento native Belen Flores, who said she's played soccer since she was eight.
Sacramento attorney Justin Ward acknowledged an ambitious agency that will be a challenge to implement, but like the Mayor's push for technology infrastructure.
"Bringing technology...becoming paperless, cashless and wireless," Ward said.
Johnson said Sacramento has, "turned a corner."
"We've got massive momentum due to the indomitable spirit of this city and its residents," he said.
