State of Natomas 2014: Future Looks Bright

BY SUKHMAN REKHI, NP3 INTERN
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

“The future of Natomas is bright,” said Danielle Marshall, president of the Natomas Chamber of Commerce at the 10th Annual State of Natomas Luncheon.

A record-number 300-plus attended “Directions 2014” held Monday, March 24 at Four Points by Sheraton.

Councilmembers Steve Hansen and Steve Cohn, Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby and Nathan Dietrich, district director for Congresswoman Doris Matsui, were the featured speakers at the event.

Dietrich updated Natomas residents on the flood control bill that is currently being debated in Congress committee that – if approved – would allow local levee projects to move forward and lift building restrictions in the area.

“Progress is happening,” said Dietrich, who pointed to $94 million in federal dollars recently approved to help pay for Sacramento-area flood protection projects.

Dietrich said levee improvements are a top priority for Matsui as well as keeping flood insurance rates low for Natomas residents of Natomas. Matsui, he said, wants to see the building moratorium lifted as soon as possible.

A plan to reuse the current arena site was also a topic at the luncheon.

“I have every intention to commit to a Kaiser hospital at the old arena location,” said Ashby, who advocates additional health services in the Natomas region.

The Mayor Pro Tem also spoke about how 20 new business have opened in Natomas in the past year, pointing out that area employment numbers “are up” and crime “is down.” Councilmember Hansen said the area has seen improvements in public safety thanks to the city’s efforts to recruit and train new police officers.

“This has been a wonderful year of resilience for Natomas and we hope to keep it that way for years to come,” Ashby said.