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By Kevin Johnson
Mayor of Sacramento
Here’s a quick update on my meeting today outside Chicago with the executive team from Inland American, the real estate trust that took control of our downtown railyards last month.
My reason for traveling to Chicago was to sit face to face with Inland’s top management and make sure they understand the importance of the railyards as a transformative and job-creating project for Sacramento.
They totally get it. Inland told me they believe the project is one of the most significant infill opportunities in the U.S.
Our first priorities are troubleshooting any transition issues and making sure the infrastructure work continues.
Next, we need to get Inland’s project management team established in Sacramento. The team will be led by Dean Stermer, who has already begun working in Sacramento.
Another priority for Inland will be completing grant re-applications and key agreements with our city and state authorities. These applications are critical to ensuring the contractors who have been working on the roads and bridges will get paid immediately. Inland believes the situation will be resolved in two weeks.
We are in complete agreement about other key tasks: making sure the track relocation moves ahead as planned, with bids going out in early 2011 to ensure federal funds.
We also discussed the potential for an entertainment and sports complex in the railyards. The Inland team is enthusiastic, and looks forward to engaging with the Sacramento First Task Force, which will be reviewing and updating entertainment complex plans later this month.
In short, the meeting was very productive, and I feel confident that we are building a strong partnership and working relationship.
Inland expects to continue providing the public with regular updates on the progress of the transition. I will continue to keep Sacramento posted as this new relationship moves forward.
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