Sacramento State has taken another step to expand its vision for the future with the approval of a lease-purchase agreement for the Dan McAuliffe Memorial Ballparks on the campus’s southern border.
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday, June 9, unanimously approved the University’s nearly $2.3 million lease-purchase of the fields.
The agreement for the 11.46-acre parcel is being made by University Enterprises Inc. (UEI), Sacramento State’s nonprofit commercial services auxiliary that provides programs and services in support of the University’s educational mission. It will pay the purchase price, plus interest, over the course of a 10-year lease-purchase agreement.
The plan is to use the property for more student housing, in addition to the residence hall recently approved in the University’s new Master Plan.
“Currently, we are at capacity and expect demand to grow beyond the 400 beds scheduled to open in Fall 2017,” University President Alexander Gonzalez says. “This is another important step in making Sacramento State a destination campus.”
Since 1993, the property has been leased to the East Sacramento Babe Ruth League and the Men’s Senior Baseball League, which developed the parcel to include two baseball diamonds along with bleachers, a concession building, and restrooms. The leagues will continue to lease and use the property until new baseball facilities are developed for their use at the city-owned Army Depot East Park site. UEI will assume the cost of developing the replacement ballparks. Funds for that, as well as the lease-purchase of the current site, will come from UEI reserves and operations.
“We are pleased to have worked with the city of Sacramento on this lease-purchase agreement, which is in line with our efforts to make Sacramento State a more vibrant, welcoming campus,” Gonzalez says.
Councilmember Eric Guerra called the deal “a huge win-win for the community” by providing housing for Sac State students and moving the ball fields to a part of the community looking for quality resources.
Councilmember Jeff Harris, whose district includes Sacramento State and the current baseball facilities, thanked University officials for understanding the importance of the baseball leagues and accommodating their relocation.
For media assistance, call the University’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156. – Craig Koscho