Friday, July 13, 2007

L Street Lofts Construction Tour


L Street Lofts
South Side of 18th and L
8-Stories
92 For-Sale Condo Units
6K Retail Space
Developer Sotiris Kolokotronis
Architect: Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects

Last week I got to go on a hard hat walking tour of the L Street Lofts and and see what will a fantastic building when compleate later this year.




The main entrance will have two resturants in this big open area.


Up on the third floor many of the lofts are starting to take shape. I loved these lower units on L Street... being able to walk out onto a padio and listen to the people and activity below was nice.


L Street view on third floor.






All the units have 10 foot ceiling and open living areas. All the units facing east and west on the third floor have big patios to enjoy.


Big patios!!!


Forth Floor


Forth floor view looking west.




Fourth Floor northwest corner.






Sixth floor... big and open without walls installed yet.


Sixth floor view looking west








Sixth floor view looking Northeast towards Faces.




Seventh floor. These are temporary support columns for the pour of concrete up on the eight floor.






Eight floor.


As you can see the view from the top will be gorgeous.












There it is poking out of the tree line. When finished, I think this will be a fine addition to midtown.

Friday, June 15, 2007

Saca Round 2 - The Metropolitan

I guess he must have gotten out The Towers with his skin still attached. That was quicker than expected, The Metropolitan goes before Design Review and Planning Commission this month for comment and review.

I think it was a couple years ago, Saca and his father bought the corner of 10th and J and proposed The Metropolitan. This one would obviously cost much less to build, and I imagine units would cost less as well. Since my guess is him and this father will be building it, there might not need to be any need for a equity partner since I'm sure the family is very well off and could front the equity required. Given the last relationship with CalPERS, that might be the only way right now.

I really admire his balls and tenacity. He's going to be catching so much shit from the media and people who wanted him to fail in The Towers so badly. He will never live it down until he can get one completed, even then probably not.

I'm sure he learned quite a bit (though some would say he DIDN'T learn) in his his failed attempt at The Towers, so hopefully he can use that to his advantage here. I'm sure there are some people who put deposits down at The Towers that would not buy here, but I think he still has some loyal buyers among that group. Since there are much fewer units (esp if they do the hotel option), it could be easier to sell the required amount.

That block of J Street is one ugliest in downtown as well. With 800j opening and the retail going in soon, JDV on the way, the new lounge, and a couple eateries like Sukura and Kabul Kabob already in the area, the project would add a lot of synergy to the area.

While this building is much smaller than The Towers, its still a large project. If he is really going to move forward on this, he needs to find a way to make it happen, even if it means downsizing the project if necessary. The record for number of holes in DT is not a record I'm sure he wants to have.
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Saca eyes new heights after selling Towers stake
City committee to look at 39-story condominium project next week
Sacramento Business Journal - June 15, 2007
by Michael Shaw

Developer John Saca says he's still in the high-rise business.

While a little bruised from the unsuccessful effort to save The Towers on Capitol Mall, Saca is forging ahead with another downtown Sacramento project -- a 39-story condo tower at 10th and J streets.

The Metropolitan, which if built at its projected 420 feet, would be taller than any building in the capital today, is on the agenda of the city of Sacramento's Design Commission for Wednesday.

This week, Saca sold his interest in The Towers to his equity partner, the California Public Employees' Retirement System, ending what became a futile attempt to save the project by landing more financing and buying out CalPERS.

The pension fund and its development partner, CIM Group Inc., haven't decided what they will build on the property, but it won't be the twin 53-story luxury condominium towers that Saca started building before cost overruns halted construction in January.

"(CIM) has been very clear to us they're interested in a spectacular project that's mixed-use," assistant city manager John Dangberg said.

In an interview this week, Saca sounded a little disheartened about the fate of his pet project, but said he expects to find success the second time around. He blamed the plunging real estate market for The Towers' failure, deflecting claims that he overreached or lacked enough experience. The Towers was Saca's first foray into high-rise construction and would have dominated the capital's skyline.

"Lenders started tightening up. It became evident that this was really the only solution," he said of selling his interest in The Towers project to CalPERS. "We couldn't find another partner."

He noted that buyers put down deposits on almost 400 condos at The Towers, with a value of more than $270 million, showing a strong interest in the concept. The deposits are being refunded.

While The Towers struggled, Saca didn't abandon plans for The Metropolitan.

"He's moving forward quite aggressively with that project," Dangberg said. He said the experience with The Towers hasn't diminished Saca's standing in the city's eyes.

The 320-condo project is smaller in scale and far less expensive than the $500 million-plus for The Towers.

Bruce Slaton, a real estate agent who specializes in Sacramento's condo market, said it makes sense for Saca to explore another high-rise, because there seems to be a demand for downtown luxury living. But with no benchmark high-rise for comparison, all the support and demand are meaningless if the projects aren't financially viable, Slaton said.

With The Towers dead, and with it Saca's proposal for an InterContinental Hotel supported by an $11 million city subsidy, Saca said he's exploring the idea of putting a hotel in The Metropolitan. He has not approached the city for a subsidy and hasn't shared his funding sources for the building other than to tell city officials he has the resources lined up to build it, assistant city manager Mary Hanneman said.

Saca declined to say how much he was paid to depart as the managing partner in The Towers partnership.

"I'll be OK," Saca said of the impact from his personal stake in the project, both financially and in reputation. "Obviously, I lost thousands of hours of time and a lot of money."

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Possible Retail tenants for the Crystal Ice?

Taking a look the Retail West website for the Crystal Ice buildings on R Street between 16th and 19th, they have a listing of some business that look like may be part of the project.

Banana Republic, Market Hall, Barnes and Noble, American Appeal, Aveda, Anthropologies and Green Sacramento. A couple seem to be small business from other cities like Manzana and Market Hall. Green Sacramento is obviously local.

Originally where Green Sacramento is was going to be a La Bou Bakery, but maybe things have changed.

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If these are actually tenants, that is a pretty impressive list of retailers Freidman was able to sign, or at least mayebe have a letter of intent to open.


Taken from "wburg" on another website on the reuse of the building and street:
"SOCA hosted a history tour of R Street last month that included a walk inside the Crystal Ice plant led by Mark Friedman. I thought it went pretty well, and the tour through the plant was really fun. He has some great ideas about adaptive reuse of the current structure--about two-thirds of the existing structure would remain, with modifications, although the eastern portion of the building is probably not stable enough to be preserved. I'm hoping for as much preservation of the interesting urban grit along that street as possible--especially the in-street track and the loading docks."

Saca bought out of The Towers Project

I was really rooting for Saca to pull a rabbit out his hat on this, but that will no longer be the case. I admire his entrepreneurial guts to try something like that, and really was pretty close to pulling it off.

The housing market, the change at CalPERS, construction costs, and inexperience was too much to overcome for this project. I just hope he got a decent deal from CalPERS on his way out.

I've always said make the first floor the best floor, but I really would have loved to see those buildings in the skyline.

CIM and CalPERS have been working together for a while now, so I assume this partnership will be a little smoother. Looks like the time frame is around 18 months to put something new together for the site.

We all know the new plan will not be nearly as grandiose as what Saca planned. An article a short time ago mentioned how office space would be in the mix, but I hope that housing the hotel and quality retail space will be in the plans as well.

CalPERS and CIM will build for max profit, and not the so much the impact, but with the site at the foot of Capitol Mall and The Tower Bridge, let's hope they come up with something good.

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CalPERS buys Saca out of Towers
Sacramento Business Journal - 10:45 AM PDT Tuesday, June 12, 2007
by Michael Shaw

The California Public Employees' Retirement System has acquired the Towers on Capitol Mall project, the pension fund announced Tuesday. It has reached an agreement with its former partner, developer John Saca, to buy his interest in the project.

Saca notified the pension fund that he did not intend to exercise an option to purchase CalPERS interest in the stalled Towers project.

Just what will be built at the site isn't clear.

CalPERS is partnering with its national development partner, CIM Group of Los Angeles, to develop the site and a plan will be developed over the next 18 months.

CIM will first work to resolve outstanding debt, CalPERS spokesman Brad Pacheco said.
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Press Release from CalPERS

CalPERS TO ACQUIRE TOWERS PROJECT

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) today announced it has reached agreement with local developer John Saca to acquire his interest in the Towers on Capitol Mall, LLC (Towers LLC). This action follows Saca’s notification that he will not exercise his option to acquire CalPERS interest in Towers LLC. “After careful analysis, we decided that our beneficiaries’ best interest is served by acquiring the site and designating our national development partner CIM Group of Los Angeles to serve as lead developer,” said Ted Eliopoulos, CalPERS Senior Investment Officer for Real Estate. “This is a particularly well-located site that can be transformed into a successful development. We are pleased that our long standing partner, CIM Group has agreed to lead our future effort.”

“As the first order of business, CIM will resolve issues with outstanding creditors and complete the first phase of site preparation and then, over the next 18 months, focus on creating a viable development program for this important site.”

“I want to take this opportunity to recognize John Saca’s great entrepreneurial spirit and complete dedication to this project on behalf of CalPERS. While the project experienced unfavorable economic and market conditions, John was a committed partner who explored every avenue to get this project built,” Eliopoulos added.
CIM is one of CalPERS largest urban investment partners, with a long and successful track record nationally in delivering quality real estate projects. Under the new arrangement, CalPERS will continue to be a passive investor in the project. CIM will serve as lead developer and managing member. “Through his vision, Mr. Saca brought focus to the terrific potential of this important site,” said John Given, a Principal at CIM. “We believe that, by taking a step back and working closely with the City and all stakeholders involved, we can develop a program that will serve all of those in the community who want to see this site achieve its potential.” CalPERS has notified the city of Sacramento of its plans and received a favorable response. “ We are grateful to John Saca for his wonderful vision for this site, for his tenacity to try to make this project a reality against a changing economic climate. At all times, he had the interests of the city and its citizens at heart,” said Ray Kerridge City Manager.

“We are also lucky to have an institution such as CalPERS in our community,” Kerridge added. “We appreciate the leadership that CalPERS has demonstrated. Given its strategic location, this site can become another crown jewel for the development of downtown Sacramento. Rather than walking away from the project and the commitments made by Towers on Capitol Mall, LLC, CalPERS took decisive action in taking control of the site and involving CIM, a development group that we at the City have worked with successfully in the past.”

Thursday, June 07, 2007

The Sacramento Museum of History, Science and Technology, The Unity Center, The Crocker, The Studios for Performing Arts, and Indian Heritage Center

Lot of stuff going on this past week in the culture scene in Sacramento.

- The Sacramento Museum of History, Science and Technology takes a big step.

- The Capitol Unity Center receives another big gift from an Indian tribe.

- The Crocker Art Museum Expansion is on the receiving end of more incredible generosity by the Raley /Teel and Friedman families to the tune of 10 Million.

- The Teel family does it again donating 5 Million to the Studios for the Performing Arts building.

- The Indian Heritage Center find a home on the river in West Sacramento

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- The Sacramento Museum of History, Science and Technology

A couple months ago I posted a piece on Sacramento Museum of Art, Science, and Human Perception (SMASHp), well it looks like it will be taking one more step forward.

Next week the city will be approving a one-year ERN for the museum to be placed at the old PG&E site on Jibbom Street.

There is no mention of how much this would cost, but it says that many companies have expressed interest in supporting the museum, including Wells Fargo, Teichert, and PG&E.

- Captiol Unity Center

Tribe gives $1.5 million to Capital Unity Center
By Stephen Magagnini - Bee Staff Writer
Friday, June 1, 2007

The Capital Unity Center got a little closer to its $20 million goal Thursday when the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians pledged $1.5 million to the proposed center for diversity and tolerance.

.....

The Capital Unity Center, which will be at the corner of 16th and N streets, will be an interactive multimedia learning experience dedicated to inclusion, diversity and dialogue across racial, ethnic, gender and religious lines.

- The Crocker Art Museum Expansion

Huge boost for museum
Crocker's top benefactors pitch in an extra $10 million for coming expansion
By Bobby Caina Calvan - Bee Staff Writer

Two of the Crocker Art Museum's biggest boosters are reaching deeper into their pockets, each pledging an additional $5 million for a major expansion that would triple the size of a facility struggling to accommodate its burgeoning collection and supersized ambitions.

The $10 million infusion was announced at a fundraiser at Cal Expo on Saturday night, as the museum prepares to break ground next month on its new $85 million wing and launch a broader appeal for cash among the general public.

To date, the museum's capital campaign has relied on a relatively small group of benefactors -- 164, by the museum's count -- who have contributed $80 million of the $100 million goal.

The biggest contributor has been the Joyce and Jim Teel Family Foundation -- a product of the Raley's grocery fortune -- which announced on Saturday that it would add $5 million to its earlier pledge of $8 million.

Mort and Marcy Friedman, who chair the museum's fundraising campaign, also announced they would donate another $5 million to the effort, bringing their total contributions to $10 million.

- The Studios for Performing Arts

Joyce Raley Teel is giving 5M to the Studios for the Performing Arts building at 14th and H to be named "The E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts".

City Council Staff Report



- Indian Heritage Center

W. Sac lands culture center

City will donate riverfront site for American Indian museum after drive for new capital location stalls
By M.S. Enkoji - Bee Staff Writer

Prime riverfront property in West Sacramento, once offered for a new governor's mansion, will house a state museum and center for California's American Indian heritage and culture.

West Sacramento has agreed to donate 43 acres on the Sacramento River for the California Indian Heritage Center, which had tried for at least two years to locate in Sacramento along the American River.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Crocker Art Museum Expansion

Looks like the long anticipated Crocker Art Museum expansion is finally ready to proceed this year. Ground breaking is set for July 26th.

The project is will run about 71.6M, financed by a bunch of different sources

CRCIP: $2M
CA Prop 40 Grant: $2M
Sac County CAMA Grant: $2.5M
SHRA Downtown BOnd: $8M
SHRA Tax Incerment: $1M
CRCIP Loan: $12M
Crocker Art Museum Association (CAMA): $44.1M
Total: $71.6M

The new wing will be named the "Teel Family Pavilion"

Here is a cool rendering from Sactown Mag.
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....and a couple others from the architects based out of NY, Gwathmey-Siegel.

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Gwathmey-Siegel have quite a museums under their belt, including the Guggenheim.

This design is much more conventional than the Guggenheim design, not surprising though. I can see how some people in Sacramento would object to something a little too non-conventional given the historical nature of The Crocker and knowing how the preservation community can be on issues like that. The architect even mentioned in the Sactown Mag article how they had a rough go the first time before the design review from preservationists. There was no mention really of what those issues were though,so I don't know I would have sided with.

While I would have liked to have seen something maybe a little more daring, I think it's still a nice looking addition. Clean and straight forward. Most importantly though, once completed in spring 2010, The Crocker will have 100K more worth of exhibit space, cafe, store, meeting rooms and more.

There is a link to the city staff report for what looks like some last minutes details.
Crocker Art Museum Expansion and Renovation Project Staff Report

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

The Crest to become a Performing Arts Center?

I was listening to the K Street streetscape plan this last Tuesday on the city website when something caught my ear. One of the speakers was Jim Brennan, his company are the ones renovating the Atkins Building(?) at 10th and K (NE corner)into office condos and ground floor restaurant space. He said they have also acquired the Kress Building, 920, 924, 930 K Street (which are the 3 buildings on south-west most section of 10th and K) and the most intriguing, The Crest Theater.

He said they are looking to reposition The Crest into a performing arts center.

He's a Juilliard School graduate that has done projects in the Gaslamp, SOMA and says was one of the drivers behind the Louise Davies Symphony Hall in SF, along with work on the Opera House and Ballet Building.

We know The Crest shows a lot of films, speakers, music, comedy, festivals, some live theatre, and other events, but seeing The Crest as a performing arts center as well would be a pretty darn cool thing in my mind.

The main auditorium could be a nice mid-sized venue between the community center theatre, music circus, memorial auditorium, which are too big for most, and places like Thistle Dew or The Geery. An upgrade (I don't mean a major structural change for you preservationists) could maybe allow the main stage to be another midsized venue for more live theatre performances that seems to be really needed in this city.

The only thing I have to go on is what I heard from him speaking for 3 minutes, so there isn't much to go off of. There was no mention of the actual plans or ideas, but I would really like to find out what they are.

I'm very interested to see if they will still keep all the events that currently take place and will be able to make it work for another live performances as well. The other possibly I thought was maybe they were thinking of taking The Crest Cafe that is part of the building and turning it into a small theatre, that seems less likely though.

The only thing I was able to find was something off the Carrier Johnson website that lists "Crest Theater Mixed-Use Development | Sacramento, CA"

The Davies Hall was the work of 15 years of effort in a city with lots of corporate money and wealthy people, along with 5M (1980s money) from Louise Davies, 10M from the city, and other funds from companies and people. Any type of performing arts venue takes a long time to come to fruition in any city, let along a smaller one like Sacramento.

As I have mentioned before, philanthropy has been on the rise over the last few years, let's see if that pays off here.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Saca misses CalPERS buyout deadline

Not surprising given all the buzz recently. I have to imagine another option will be bought and they will keep working it, but a missed deadline is a missed deadline.

The only good news is, everything I have heard says Mohamed and the Saca's are good family friends, so Saca catches a big break there.

"but a real estate investor (Mohamed)who holds the loan for the land purchase said Friday that he has no plans to foreclose on the project."

Nassi and now Saca both keep missing deadlines, we'll see where this all ends up. Over the weekend I drove by the Aura site and they had demolished the remainder of the parking lot. Considering Nassi was just granted another extention, I can't think it's any kind of groundbreaking.

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Saca misses CalPERS buyout deadline
Sacramento Business Journal - 2:06 PM PDT Friday, May 25, 2007

Developer John Saca will not meet Friday's deadline to buy out The California Public Employees' Retirement System's $25 million investment in the Towers on Capitol Mall project, Saca said on Friday.

Saca, the managing partner of the project, had worked out a deal last month to pay back CalPERS, which had pledged $100 million overall. The two partners have been at odds on how to proceed under cost overruns that are estimated between $70 and $100 million.

"We're still working on it," Saca said of dissolving the partnership with CalPERS and securing new financing. "We're not going to pull it off today."

CalPERS spokeswoman Pat Macht said there are no provisions to extend the buyout agreement beyond Friday.

"If he doesn't act on his option today and has another idea he wants to come back with, that will be considered," Macht said. Saca likely will have to pay more money for a new option if he pursues one, though Macht declined to discuss any possible terms.

In the meantime, Saca and CalPERS remain estranged partners.

The Towers on Capitol Mall is a 53-story, 800-unit condo development that broke ground last year. Work stopped before the foundation was poured.

Saca indicated earlier this year that the project is $35 million in debt, including a $22 million loan for the land purchase and a owed to contractors who have done site work.

The project has defaulted on that loan, but a real estate investor who holds the loan for the land purchase said Friday that he has no plans to foreclose on the project.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

East End Gateway Update

As you know, I am very big on the 16th Street, so I will try to always update people on anything going on along that street, no matter how big or small.

A couple months ago, CADA choose Ravel Rasmussen for site 3 and SKK for site 2 at 16th and O. With SKK wanting both sites or none, CADA has decided to give both sites to Ravel Rasmussen.

I was unable to attend the meeting, so if anyone has details I'd appreciate any info.

From the agenda on May 18th it looks like CADA and Ravel Rasmussen have entered into a Exclusive Right to Negotiate, but I don't know for how long, but lets hope it doesn't take as long as sites 1 and 4 have with Lambert Development.

From the original proposals, Ravel Rasmussen has proposed about 69 rentals and 13K in retail space.

I really wanted to see some ownership housing on these sites, so let's hope sites 1 and 4 have them. From what I have heard, Lambert Development is doing just that.

The last CADA meeting I attended a couple months ago extended the ERN for site 4 until September, for which they expect to have a DDA in place. Let's hope they are right, but given the slow progress until now, I'll believe it when I see it.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Tower Bridge Pedestrian/Bicycle Improvements Project

The project, which started in January, will take approximately 18 months to complete and will widen sidewalks from an existing 3 feet to 10 feet. The project will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety, in addition to accommodating future development planned along both riverfronts.









Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) - Cultural Business Plan

We recently had a discussion around the arts and theater scene in Sacramento. Here is your chance to participate in the future.

Closed mouths don't get fed...take the survey.
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The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission (SMAC) is creating a new Cultural Business plan and wants to hear from you. As part of its year-long planning process SMAC is launching two internet surveys: one for the general public, and one for arts organizations and individual artists.

Take the general public arts & culture survey

Take the survey for arts organizations and individual artists

he surveys take only a few minutes to complete and will be used in helping develop the new Plan. To encourage you to take the surveys, SMAC has acquired some “thank you” prizes, including tickets to several of Sacramento’s premiere performing arts organizations. Everyone who completes the survey will be automatically entered in the drawing.

To learn more about SMAC’s business planning process: Click here

Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Rhyena Halpern, Executive Director
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- Notes from April 17 Business & Civic Leaders Roundtable notes

- Notes from April 17 Commission-Staff Retreat notes


- Notes from April 17 Multicultural Artists and Culturally Specific Arts Organizations Roundtable

-Notes from March 12, 2007 Commission-Staff External Environment Exercise

- Notes from March 12, 2007 Commission-Staff External Environment Exercise

- Notes from March 12, 2007 Cultural Arts Awards Grantee Town Hall Meeting

Saturday, May 12, 2007

10th and K Progress

A few months ago we heard that the old Woolworth Building would contain a cabaret theatre venue for the California Musical Theatre, along with a (Carnegie Deli style, yum!) restaurant and lounge by Paragary for phase I of the project by Taylor and the CIM Group. If you have walked by the site recently you can see the building boarded up (well more boarded up than it used to be) with interior demo taking place.

Phase two was going to be a 14-story 130 unit mixed use building on the remaining site, looks like that number has jumped up based on Bob Shallits latest column to 21 stories and 158 units.

CIM and David Taylor are hoping to have the DDA in place by December and thus acquire the 3 remaining parcels at 10th and K that the city has own for 10 years or so. Previous attempts at development over the years included a huge multiplex, a California News Station start up, an Old Navy, and most recently before this a CineArts Theatre.

This is a pretty darn solid team though. Taylor has completed a lot of buildings in downtown and CIM is a deep pocketed national developer with many projects under their belt, including 800J here in downtown. PLUS they have their own financing arm of their company that makes financing pretty easy for them.

The building across the street the rest of article mentions is also undergoing renovation. I've always found that building kinda interesting, but not really in a good way. It's an odd looking building with very few windows. Seems like that would be a draw back to some potential buyers, but then again being so close to the Capitol is a big advantage.

Pieces are slowly coming together on K Street. The addition of Ella's in the new Cathedral Building, along with these projects should add some foot traffic and synergy to the area. I still want to see another small theater somewhere on K Street though. There was also talk of KHTK locating on the 1100 or 1200 block. I'm sure Imax, Pyramid Brewery (GOOD beer, eh food), The Crest (old faithful), Ambrosia (good, but could be so much more), Chops (pretty good steaks) and others are counting the days down. I personally really want to see the marquee the new theatre will have. I love those things!

Now if the city can just get the 700 and 800 block out of the courts...

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Bob Shallit: Condos join plan for 10th, K revival
By Bob Shallit - Bee Columnist

Developers working on a cabaret and restaurant complex at the corner of 10th and K have even bigger plans for three adjacent parcels: They want to build a 21-story condo tower there.

The developers -- David S. Taylor Interests and the CIM Group of Los Angeles -- have an exclusive right to negotiate with the city for the three parcels, on the south side of K Street between 10th and 11th.

If a just-launched environmental study finds no serious problems, Taylor and CIM hope to sign a development agreement and acquire the parcels in December, says Elle Warner, a VP with Taylor Interests.

Early plans, from architect WRNS Studio of San Francisco, call for a "green" building with 158 for-sale units, Warner says. Most would be about 900 square feet but larger penthouses would occupy the top two floors. No prices have yet been set.

Other downtown condo projects have run into financing problems. But Warner says her group is optimistic.

"There's never been a question about demand," she says. "It's really about putting it all together."

At some point, she adds in reference to the prospects of downtown housing taking off, "the stars will line up."

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Taking off: Meanwhile, work has begun on the cabaret project at the southeast corner of 10th and K -- and at an office condo project on the key intersection's northeast corner.

Removal of hazardous materials began three weeks ago at the future cabaret site, formerly the Woolworth building. The hope, Warner says, is to begin construction this summer on a 200-seat venue for the California Musical Theatre along with a restaurant and lounge to be run by Randy Paragary.

Across the street, at 1001 K, interior demo work is nearly done and the Trancas Fund of St. Helena soon will be launching a building rehab and facelift. End result: Five stories of office condos above a first-floor restaurant, says Jerry Fournier, regional manager for project contractor J.B. Olsen.

City officials have tried for years to spark development at 10th & K. Amazingly, it's finally happening.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Streetcar Update

I love walking, but everyone in a while it's nice to get a lift.

Central City Opinion and I received an email asking us to spread the word about the upcoming city council meetings regarding the Streetcar Feasibility.

- City of West Sacramento Council Meeting: May 9th
- Presentation to RT and Yolo County Transportation District: May 14
- City of Sacramento Council Meeting: May 22

Central City has started a discussion on the subject and raises lot of good questions. Head over there now and give your impute.

This is a very important topic on the future of transportation within the central city and West Sacramento. As we see more and more development with the central city and West Sac, we need to have a more efficient way to get people from one place to another for sort trips without having them get in their cars. Light Rail is good for longer trips, but Streetcars similar to Portland Streetcars work great for shorter distances.

Central City Opinion Streetcar Discussion


">Link to Streetcar Feasibility Study