Council Filed Tue, Nov 10 8:13 PM · Updated 8:51 PM

Rancho Cordova Council Advances 7,500-Seat Cordova Arena Plan

The council approved design review, a land transfer and a development agreement for the proposed Downtown DOVA arena, and sent the subsidy terms to a November vote.

Source: City Council minutes Reviewed by an editor

The short version

The council approved a major design review for an indoor arena of about 194,110 square feet with about 7,500 fixed seats (Minutes).
The council approved a land transfer agreement with DOVA Arena, LLC and Alpha One Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC (Minutes).
The council introduced an ordinance adopting the Downtown DOVA Development Agreement (Minutes).
The council directed staff to keep working on the Financial Participation Agreement and economic development subsidy, which returns November 2 for a vote (Minutes).
Council Member Joe Little voted no on the environmental determination, design review, land transfer and development agreement (Minutes).

Item 3.1(b) · Major Design Review

Council approves arena design

Size: About 194,110 square feet
Seats: About 7,500 fixed seats, with flexible floor configurations
Vote: 4-1, with Budge, Pulipati, Sander and Gatewood in favor and Little opposed
Source: Minutes, item 3.1(b)

The council approved the Major Design Review for the proposed indoor arena. The building would be about 194,110 square feet with about 7,500 fixed seats and flexible floor setups.

The vote was 4-1. Council Member Little voted no.

Item 3.1(c) · Land Transfer Agreement

City land deal for arena site approved

Parties: City of Rancho Cordova; DOVA Arena, LLC; Alpha One Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC
Vote: 4-1, with Little opposed
Source: Minutes, item 3.1(c)

The council approved a Land Transfer Agreement with DOVA Arena, LLC and Alpha One Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC. The minutes do not describe the land or its terms.

The vote was 4-1, with Council Member Little opposed.

Item 3.1(d) · Development Agreement

Arena development agreement moves forward

Action: First reading waived; ordinance introduced
Vote: 4-1, with Little opposed
Source: Minutes, item 3.1(d)

The council waived the first reading and introduced an ordinance adopting the Downtown DOVA Development Agreement. A development agreement sets the rules and obligations for a project over time.

The vote was 4-1, with Council Member Little opposed.

Item 3.1(a) · Environmental review

Council finds no further environmental review needed

Basis: CEQA Guidelines Section 15183
Vote: 4-1, with Little opposed
Source: Minutes, item 3.1(a)

The council determined the project is exempt from further environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183. That section applies to projects consistent with a general plan and existing environmental analysis.

The vote was 4-1, with Council Member Little opposed.

Item 3.1(e) · Financial Participation Agreement

Arena subsidy terms return November 2

Next step: Returns to council November 2, 2026 for consideration and action
Vote: 5-0 to provide direction
Source: Minutes, item 3.1(e)

The council discussed a proposed Financial Participation Agreement and related economic development subsidy between the city and the arena developers. The minutes do not list the dollar amounts or terms.

The council voted 5-0 to give direction on the terms. The agreement is scheduled to return November 2 for a vote.

Public comment

Dozens of residents spoke or wrote in

Public comment: Many people addressed the council or submitted comments by email
Source: Minutes, item 2

The minutes list dozens of people who spoke at the hearing or sent written comments. The minutes do not summarize what they said.

Read the original City Council minutes →

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