Sacramento Kings begin foundation work on arena practice facility

Construction crews have begun work on what will be a practice facility for the Sacramento Kings at the team's new arena.

According to an update from the team, micro-pile drilling for the foundation of that building will get underway this week, just southeast of the future arena site.

Other ongoing work includes excavation of site soil and debris, demolition of the parking garage for the removed Macy's men's store and removal of soil from the site.

Team officials have said much of the work during the remainder of the year will be largely below surface level, such as dewatering and initial foundation work.

The team's @SacramentoESC account also posted photos on Twitter this week of laying a cornerstone at the arena site with the Freemasons in a ceremony, often done to mark construction of notable buildings.

With a seated and standing capacity of 18,500, the arena is set to open in fall 2016. The team also recently submitted plans to the city of Sacramento for detailed development of a hotel and retail spaces to the north of the arena.

Ben van der Meer covers real estate, development, construction, transportation and the business of sports for the Sacramento Business Journal.