I’m writing this because I, like many of my neighbors, have serious concerns about Rancho Cordova moving forward with the proposed Cordova Arena and Downtown DOVA development before residents have been given a clear picture of what this project could actually cost our city.

This project was presented to our community as privately financed. Now, residents are learning that tens of millions of dollars connected to development impact fees could ultimately involve money from Rancho Cordova’s General Fund.

That is a significant difference, and residents deserve answers before this project moves forward.

We are asking the City to clearly disclose the complete public financial commitment associated with this development, including General Fund expenditures, fee reimbursements or reductions, public land, infrastructure costs, tax-sharing agreements, and any other public benefits being provided to the developer.

We also want clear answers about traffic, parking, infrastructure, environmental impacts, and what protections Rancho Cordova has if the arena is constructed but other promised portions of Downtown DOVA are delayed or never completed.

This is not about being against development.

Many of us want a thriving downtown. We want local businesses, gathering spaces, entertainment, housing, parks, music, restaurants, and places that bring our community together.

But wanting a downtown does not mean accepting any deal presented to us.

Before Rancho Cordova makes a commitment of this magnitude, residents deserve to know what we are paying, what we are receiving in return, what risks we are assuming, and what alternatives were considered.

We are asking the Rancho Cordova Planning Commission and City Council to pause advancement of the Cordova Arena and Downtown DOVA project until the complete financial and infrastructure impacts are publicly disclosed and residents have been given meaningful time to review and respond.

Development should serve the people who already call Rancho Cordova home first.

Give us the full story before you make this massive decision for us.

(I, Ariel Elliott, will read this statement aloud as public comment at the September 30 Special Planning Commission Meeting on behalf of myself and the Rancho Cordova residents who sign below.)

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