Elk Grove gives official go-ahead for new zoo. Next step is construction.

SACRAMENTO — It's official. The Sacramento Zoo is moving to Elk Grove after the city council gave the official go-ahead on Wednesday night.

Three years of back and forths brought the Sacramento Zoological Society and the City of Elk Grove to this point. Now, construction of a new home for the animals can begin.

The approval came after more than five hours of discussion and public comment.

Why Elk Grove?

Simply, there's just more space there.

The site for the zoo would be the northwest intersection of Kammerer Road and Lotz Parkway, just off of Highway 99. It would be four times the size of the Sacramento Zoo in Land Park.

The future of the 15 acres in the middle of Land Park is up in the air. The land is owned by the City of Sacramento and leased by the zoo.

CBS13 went to the city for answers about the future use of the land. The city said in a statement:

"The city will engage with broader stakeholders and the surrounding community to ensure their involvement in determining the land's future use."

Elk Grove officials said in a statement after the vote that, while more work still needs to be done, they're optimistic about the project.

"Our commitment today is a force for good and will be a catalyst for new economic growth and collaborations that will support conservation and education efforts for generations to come," stated Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen.

Estimated economic construction impacts worth $425 million and more than 2,400 jobs are possible with the project, according to a study commissioned by Elk Grove.

Elk Grove officials cautioned that the next step in the process, the design and development of construction documents for the project, will take some time.