I would still like to see a more innovative approach. I'm a fourth-generation Californian and have lived within 2 hours of Sacramento my entire life, as have my mother, my daughter and my granddaughters (who are sixth-generation Californian). The area around Sacramento isn't just cow pastures any more, despite what Phil Jackson has said. It's a thriving, vibrant area of growth and people need to address that - and not stick their heads in the sand, saying "La la la la la" and claiming they'd rather drive to SF, Lake Tahoe, etc. and spend their money there rather than make their own backyards better.
Northern California desperately needs a state-of-the-art arena for the variety of events previously mentioned. And if we build it, "they" will come. Some events that have reluctantly moved because of dissatisfaction with the facility would undoubtedly return. And more would consider Sacramento if they knew others were doing the same. It's the old "follow the leader" concept ... and it works.
One of the tribal leaders in the North State had mentioned before that she would be willing to listen to innovative ideas for helping to finance a new arena. I think that should be looked into... I also think some kind of cooperative financing between multiple counties should be considered. Yuba, El Dorado, Yolo, Sutter, Placer, Nevada and other counties could all derive benefit from revenue sharing concepts.
People need to think outside the box and they need to do so quickly. If Gregg Lukenbill could fulfill the dream to begin with there should be at least one person of vision around who can expand the dream and continue it...
