With a triumphant shout, Mayor Kevin Johnson cast the final vote in a 7-2 decision in favor of a financing plan to build a new entertainment and sports complex and keep the Sacramento Kings in town for another 30 years. Cheers, applause and chants of “SAC-RA-MEN-TO” broke out among the more than 250 people in council chambers Tuesday at the end of a four-hour-long City Council meeting that culminated in what Johnson called “a historic vote.” “Every one of you in the community did not give up,” Johnson said. “People far and wide all played a role and came together. I think we met every milestone along the way, and we made every minute count.” Johnson and City Council members Angelique As

The city will be responsible for the majority of the cost of a new entertainment and sports complex, according to the much-anticipated financial term sheet released Thursday – a total of nearly $256 million. The contribution from Anschutz Entertainment Group, the new arena operator, will be $58.75 million, according to the terms of the agreement, and the Sacramento Kings owners, the Maloof family, is bringing in $73.25 million. The term sheet outlines the specifics of who pays for what to get a new arena built downtown and provides a framework for negotiations with potential parking operators – the linchpin in the city’s ability to meet its part of the deal. Representatives of the Think

Mayor Kevin Johnson headed back to Sacramento Monday from Orlando with news that an agreement has been reached to keep the Kings in Sacramento. "Today is a new day for Sacramento and a defining moment for our community,” Johnson said in an email statement Monday. The terms of the agreement include an upfront contribution of nearly $75 million from the Kings’ owners, the Maloof family, and an additional $75 million over the life of the deal through ticket surcharges. The exact terms of the agreement are expected to be made public by Thursday – the original deadline set by the NBA to have a deal in place. Johnson, the Maloofs and NBA representatives had been in discussions throughout the

Mayor Kevin Johnson held an impromptu press conference Wednesday to give an update on progress with discussions between Sacramento, the NBA and the Sacramento Kings’ owners, the Maloof family. “There are great discussions going on between the city and the NBA and we are confident that we, as a city, are doing our part to make (a deal) happen,” Johnson said. Johnson appeared at the press conference flanked by City Manager John Shirey and City Council members Jay Schenirer, Angelique Ashby, Darrell Fong, Rob Fong and Bonnie Pannell. “We’re closer than we’ve ever been before, and the bottom line is – the city controls its own destiny,” Johnson said. Earlier Wednesday, Johnson and NBA Comm

This spring, city leaders expect to begin a new effort to determine whether the community will support public funding for a new arena – even if the Sacramento Kings leave, Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday. City officials plan to start a new discussion with the public after a development team presents an analysis and list of financing options to build a sports and entertainment center, he said. The analysis is currently scheduled to be presented to the Sacramento City Council in May. By that time, the Kings' future should be more certain. The Maloofs, who own a majority share of the team, are working on a deal to move the team to Anaheim before next season and are expected to discuss tha

In response to public anxiety over speculation that the Sacramento Kings may leave the city, Mayor Kevin Johnson used a Tuesday press conference to emphasize local efforts to build a new arena and call on residents to attend Kings games. News organizations across the state reported over the holiday weekend that the Kings are eyeing Anaheim as a new host city. The decision by the Kings’ owners, the Maloof family, is expected to happen by March 1, when they must ask the National Basketball Association if the Kings can move, according to multiple media reports. “We want the Sacramento Kings to be in Sacramento (and) we want to do everything we can to make that happen,” Johnson said. “But w

Mayor Kevin Johnson’s volunteer task force on Thursday continued its second session of challenging proposals presented by prospective developers of a new arena in Sacramento. The 12-member task force heard presentations from Thomas Enterprises, the Kamilos Group, Natomas ESC Partners and Tripp Development. The prospective developers explained their financing plans, among other issues. Task force member Mike Kvarme asked how much of Thomas Enterprises’ project financing would rely on obtaining federal funding. “It’s a large part of it,” said Suheil Totah, vice president of Thomas Enterprises. Totah also commented on the site’s location at the railyards in Downtown. Thomas Enterprises is