The Natomas Index

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Fact: The first residents of Natomas — known as Windmillers — established villages more than 4,500 years ago. By the 1800s, the land now known as Natomas was home to 10,000 American Indians from the Maidu-Nisenan culture. “Natomas” is a Maidu word meaning north place or upstream people.

Fact:  Valley View Acres is a 300-acre neighborhood of about 150 residents north of Del Paso Road in the northeastern corner of Natomas. Zoned as rural estates, it is the only place in Sacramento where residents can keep livestock (horses, sheep, chickens, etc.) — except pigs, because they attract flies.

Fact: The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the city and county of Sacramento, and the county of Sutter are working to develop an appropriate flood zone designation for the Natomas basin. Responding to the newly identified threat, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency quickly developed and has begun work on the first phase of a $414 million plan to upgrade the Natomas levees to a 200-year level of flood protection. It is anticipated that 100-year flood protection will be restored by 2010, and 200-year flood protection will be attained in 2013.

Fact: The Sacramento Regional Transit District has been working for years with the Federal Transit Administration on a project that would link downtown and the Sacramento International Airport with a 13-mile, light-rail transit corridor along Truxel Road. With a total cost of about $400 million, the controversial project, known as the Downtown/Natomas/Airport light-rail extension, is still 10 years or more from completion. 

Fact: The Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, a 14,000-square-foot facility, opened in June on the Natomas Charter School campus. The 364-seat theater will produce and host shows with a motorized “full fly” system that allows sets to be moved on and off stage in no time. Other features in the $8.2 million state-of-the-art performance space include digital sound reinforcement, an advanced computer console for lighting and 3D modeling and a wireless microphone system. Its first professional season is in full swing.

Fact:  NBA All-Star and former Kings power forward Chris Webber chose Natomas as the location for his new restaurant despite being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005 and then signing with the Detroit Pistons last season. Center Court with C Webb, which opened last year, puts diners in the middle of NBA action with hardwood floors, basketball nets, framed jerseys and a four-sided scoreboard.

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