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As Sacramento Kings Move Out, What's Next For Sleep Train Arena?

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — With the final Sacramento Kings game in Sleep Train Arena over, the community looks ahead at what's next for the venue.

"It's tremendous for Sacramento and so it's going to be important that we see it through," said councilmember Angelique Ashby.

The arena has been a big part of the Natomas community for more than 30 years. Now it's up to Kings ownership to decide what will go on the 180–acre lot.

"I don't know that everyone's quite adjusted yet or really knows what that's going to look like for the next season," said Danielle Marshall, President of the Natomas Chamber of Commerce.

First of all, no more games mean big changes for nearby restaurants and stores. Much of their revenue came from visitors before and after the game.

"The biggest fear of course is that people will go out of business," Marshall said. "Luckily, Natomas is a hub, you know, a regional hub so there's a lot of other things here" (4)

It's things like graduation ceremonies, concerts and trade shows at the arena that keep local hotels and restaurants busy. But what happens when arena finally closes its doors?

"[The city and arena owners] are in talks on a regular basis, not only with those in and around this community, but wanting to attract business from outside of Sacramento to come here and utilize the space," Marshall said.

However, they haven't taken kindly to the idea of building new homes in the area or bringing in an auto mall.

"At the anchor of that facility needs to be something that brings high ends jobs to our region," Ashby said. "That progress started over a year ago."

As far as what industry might come to Natomas, Marshall feels that tech jobs might be the perfect fit.

"Because it's more cost effective than it would be in the bay area and there's a lot more room to grow out and build out a successful business here," Marshall said.

In the last update from the Kings back in December, they told the city they don't want to rush things, but do want to plan for the right things.

"More important than when is what," Ashby said.

Right now, Kings Ownership is busy creating environmental reports and conducting a market analysis. And while the team has the final say on Sleep Train's future, the city controls the zoning for the area. So at some point, the two will have to agree about what's in store for the land.

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