Sacramento Republic FC Stadium Approved by Planning Comission

A proposed development that includes a stadium for Sacramento Republic FC was approved by Sacramento’s planning commission on Monday. That vote is key to the city’s MLS push. 

Located at the downtown railyard site, the project encompasses 198 acres and calls for a mixed-use development, hospital, and the Republic FC’s new stadium. Developing the stadium has been viewed as essential to Sacramento’s MLS hopes, as the USL’s Republic FC currently play at Bonney Field, a facility that is not up to the league’s standards.

The decision by the Sacramento Planning and Design Commission allows the project to proceed to its next vote, which is from the Sacramento City Council. More from the Sacramento Bee:

The City Council in November will consider granting the final legal approval to allow development to begin.

“This is an enormously exciting project,” said Commissioner Alan LoFaso, noting that he wore Sacramento Republic colors for Monday’s meeting.

“This project in my opinion is a game changer,” said Commissioner Cornelious Burke. “I wholeheartedly support the project.”

The commission specifically issued its endorsement of an environmental review of the site, effectively recommending that the city council approve it and a development agreement with Downtown Railyard Ventures LLC. Five members of the 13-person were absent from the meeting. All eight members who were present voted in favor of the plan.