Capitol Mall Rain Garden

Ahhh, imagine... this is a feel good concept not based on reality in the November issue of Comstock Magazine. For starters, the creek is shown flowing six blocks running the entire stretch of Capitol Mall.  For that to happen the creek elevation would have to drop approximately 20 feet below street level for the water to go from one end to the other.

Imagine Capitol Mall Rain Garden - by Comstock Magazine November 2016

If Sacramento’s Capitol Mall transformed from a long patch of lawn into a rain garden, the new amenity would provide welcomed environmental benefits. A rain garden is a designed depression that collects rain runoff for landscaping. Mimicking a river, a recycling stream also provides terraced seating as a retreat from the urban environment, while maintaining the line of site between the Capitol building and Tower Bridge. Below, huge tanks add critical storage for the city’s combined stormwater and sewage system, reducing occasional pollution released into the Sacramento River during storms. Native plants would be drought-friendly and offer habitat for beneficial insects, such as bees. 

To learn more about water in California and other ideas to address drought, read Water: More or Less, by Rita Schmidt Sudman and Stephanie Taylor. For excerpts of the book click here. 

Colliers Sacramento 3Q Office & Research Report

Sacramento’s Colliers International third quarter report found that the downtown market was preforming well while suburban growth has takes off. As reported by Colliers, office real estate absorption is positive and vacancies went down. The downtown office vacancy market is the lowest it’s been in 5 years, but it’s suburban expansion that continues to meet growing demand. Third quarter rental absorption was 372,254 sf, while only 80,899 sf was in the downtown market.

This rosy report then brings up the question, what’s going on with the Vanir Tower on J Street. It was proposed two years ago in November, yet nothing has been submitted to the Planning and Design Commission even though a news report in November of last year said it could be built taller. I’ve seen this game before, at this point the developer only appears to be looking for free publicity.

Community Center Theater Renovation

Full Expansion of Community Center Theater and Convention Center

The City Council has voted to move forward and update the 40-year-old center adding 41,000 sf, replace seats, renovate the lobby and dressing rooms. The $83.4 million renovation could begin as soon as the 4 quarter of 2018 and completed by 2021. While work is being done, the Memorial Auditorium would be used for performances during the construction period. In addition, the Memorial Auditorium will also receive an upgrade estimated to be $16.2 million, and Phase 1 of the Sacramento Convention Center estimated to be $170 million.

The projects would be paid for by the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) which is a 12% charge for all people who occupy a hotel in Sacramento. The structure of the TOT would be supported by revenue bonds.

Only conceptual designs were provided for the City Council. 

http://sacramento.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=22&clip_id=3876

Office Bldg. Acquired For Convention Center Expansion

The City of Sacramento has agreed to buy the rest of a three story office building located a next to the convention center on 15^th Street. According to the Sacramento Business Journal, a planned expansion of the convention center would demolish and replace the building with a new east entrance and accommodate a planned expansion

Sacramento City Council will get a report on the city’s conceptual plans for the expansion of the convention center and renovation of the Community Center Theater at a meeting on Oct. 11. Decisions will be made later this year or early next year after new Mayor Darrell Steinberg takes office.

Downtown Commons Construction

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Moving at the rate of one floor a week, the tower currently stands 12-stories tall. The exterior will looked more finished in the coming months as precast and windows are fixed to the building. On the west end of the former mall, demolition is currently clearing out the remaining courtyard of the previous structure.  

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Downtown Commons, 660 J St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Golden 1 Center Nears Opening Night

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95822

After passing it’s building inspection and unveiling a $8 million piglet sculpture at the Golden 1 Center, the arena is nearing opening night when Paul McCartney plays two concerts this upcoming weekend. The new $557 million arena has a lot to show for the price tag; hopefully the public will see a net return on the cities investment of $212 million. The main video board will 84 feet long with 6,100 square feet of screen. Free wi-fi connections will cover the arena as well as the plaza surrounding the arena. The term “iconic” currently describe the new venue and I sure hope it exceeds expectations. This city needs a huge success here, we will know for sure in about ten years if vast private investments are made on the streets of J, K, L surrounding the Golden 1 Center.

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95822

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95822

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk,
Sacramento, CA 95822

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk,
Sacramento, CA 95822

Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95822



Golden 1 Center - 500 David J Stern Walk, Sacramento, CA 95822



 

Whole Foods Out in Midtown

Is this a sign of things to come or just another project that cannot get its act together? Either way it sucks because this much-anticipated mixed-use project in midtown has lost a major tenant who was going to occupy the ground floor of a six-story building. Pappas Investment has not made any comments as to why Whole Foods has pulled out of the project, but a spokeswoman for Whole Foods has said that a series of milestone were not reached that were written into the lease so Whole Foods choosing to step out of the lease. Phase one of the project began last week with foundation work beginning for a six story-parking garage on Capitol Ave. Phase two of the project was to included Whole Foods and 97 apartment above the grocery store beginning construction in late 2017.

SacBee article 

Out Of Money For Courthouse Construction

Last Thursday two dozen courthouse construction projects in 26 counties across California were delayed indefinitely, including Sacramento’s because of budget shortfalls. As reported by The SacBee, the 2008 bond SB1407, which was signed into law to fund $5 billion to rebuild courthouses has fallen short of reaching that goal by $1.4 billion by a combination of declining revenue from court fines and fees. In addition, in 2012 the Governor diverted funds from the courthouse bond to backfill the state’s budget and those funds have never been returned.

Sacramento’s proposed courthouse has always received the shaft throughout this whole process. After being down sized in budget and overall project size two times, now it’s unlikely Sacramento will ever see a new courthouse EVER. Really, unless fines and fees pickup and the state returns those diverted funds Sacramento will never see a new courthouse built under this current fines and fees program.

Thank you Governor Jerry Brown, the city does not need another abandon project but now we can add this one to the pile.

Golden 1 Center Costs Rise

The latest construction costs for the Golden 1 Center have reached $556.6 million. As reported by The SacBee, the price has risen by $21.7 million in just a month and $79 million increase since breaking ground in October 2014. The original cost was to be $447 million, so the total increase in price to around $109 million. The Kings Chairman Vivek Ranadive and the rest of the team’s owners are paying for additional costs, the city’s subsidy capped at $255 million.

It’s been said that the increases aren’t cost overruns, but represent the costs of design changes like the team’s practice facility downtown, instead of leaving it at the site of the old arena in Natomas, added $30 million. Additional costs also represent dollars spent renovating the former Downtown Plaza, now known as Downtown Commons.

The building is scheduled to open with a pair of Paul McCartney concerts Oct. 4 and 5.

Centrage Project Time Machine

Centrage Project proposed in 1988

What is now becoming McKinley Village was once the proposed site for the Centrage Project, an alternative to suburban sprawl. Back in 1988 this $500 million, European-style self-contained community outraged neighboring east Sacramento residence and the Sacramento Old City Association. Centrage was a high density, transit oriented development that was to be built out over 10 years. At full build out the project would consist of 750,000 square feet of office space, 230,000 sf of retail, 1200 residential units, 250 room hotel, amphitheater, movie theater, 4.5 acre lake, greenbelts, bicycle paths, tennis courts, swimming pools, other outdoor recreation areas, and parking for around 6000 cars. Originally 8 highrises were proposed ranging from 26 to 10 stories. In an effort to satisfy anti-Centrage folk, towers were reduced in size but the opposition were not happy demanding that 50% of the 48 acres be turned into parks and open area. Centrage was one of the most controversial developments in recent Sacramento history, but after nearly a 5 year of heated debate and several reductions in size to win over local residences and City Council, the project was abandon. Below are a couple renderings showing what might have been.

Original rendering of Centrage Project proposed in 1988

Revised plans removed one of the eight planned towers for the project and reduced the size of some of the remaining seven, 26 to 19  story building (one), 16 story buildings (two), 18 to 12 story building (one), 11 to 8 story building (one), 10 story building (one), eliminated one 10 story building, 8 story building (one), 2-6 story building (12)

Centrage Project site plan proposed in 1988

Centrage Project building height comparison 1988

Centrage Project rendering showing originally proposed height of 26 story tower
later reduced to 19 stories looking west from the Capitol Freeway

Centrage Project map overview

Today the 48 acre parcel located between E Street and the Capitiol City Freeway resembles a sprawling suburban neighborhood that's not unique or interesting in any way.

McKinley Village currently under construction 

Updated Railyard Plans

Proposed Kaiser Hospital Tower in the Railyards

Next week the Planning and Design Commission will look at Railyards proposed plan related to Major League Soccer and Kaiser Permanente hospital tower. A couple items that stood out to me in the revised plans were the new hospital building would comprised approximately 658,000 sf with the main hospital tower rising up to 14 stories in the center of the block, to a maximum height of approximately 230 feet with a helistop on the roof. A parking garage would be built on the western edge of the project with approximately 1,500 parking spaces.

Surface 

The proposed Major League Soccer Stadium would be constructed initially with seating for 19,621 attendees and the capacity to accommodate concerts with an attendance up to 21,500 people. As shown below, surface parking would be used in the interim before parking structures are constructed of approximately 4,000 spaces.

To review the report click here.

Proposed 19J Mixed-Use Mid-Rise

19J Mixed-Use proposal by M.H. Mohanna Development

The SacBee’s reporting that midtown has another proposal for a mid-rise building, this one named 19J is located at the corner of 19^th & J Street. M.H. Mohanna Development has expressed that the project would be “self-financed” and could begin building as soon as next year. At 124 feet, this 11 story structure would have 173 residential units and 7,000 SF of ground floor retail.

19J Mixed-Use proposal by M.H. Mohanna Development

MAY Building Opening Event

MAY Building - 1029 K Street Sacramento

Completed in 1911 and known as the Parkview Apartments, today the Sutter Capital Group will celebrate the completion of this multi-million dollar renovation, which includes 21 historic apartments and renaming it the MAY Building to reconnect the building to its historic past. The apartments are luxury residences by preserving as much of the original historic detail as possible (crown moldings, case work, covered ceilings, etc.) while combining those elements with modern mechanical systems and luxury.

MAY Building - 1029 K Street Sacramento

The former Pyramid space on the ground floor is still vacant, but after 1 ½ years of renovations, the building looks great including the Capitol Events Center that holds up to 200 people located on the northern portion of the site. The project is entirely privately funded i.e. no redevelopment, CADA or other public financing which is a bit of a rarity in Sacramento urban core redevelopment and development projects.

MAY Building - 1029 K Street Sacramento

MAY Building - 1029 K Street Sacramento

MAY Building - 1029 K Street Sacramento

$1.3 Billion For Three Projects

California’s new state budget has big plans for Sacramento. The Department of General Services believes one of the three projects proposed will be underway before Governor Brown leaves office and within the urban core. The $1.3 Billion includes:

– A new 650,000-square-foot office building to house about 2,800 employees currently in the aging state Resources and Bonderson buildings downtown;

– A new 205,000-square-foot office building for 1,100 employees in the Bateson building, another aging state structure

– Renovation or replacement of the Capitol’s eastern annex, which dates to the 1950s.

According to the Sacramento Business Journal, “Within a year, we’ll have a much better idea of what it’s all going to look like with work underway within two and half years.” I personally hope they do not demolish the Resources Building at 1416 9^th Street.  Yes, it is in horrible condition and needs some serious work, but it’s bones are strong and can be upgraded like many other offices in the downtown area like both the two 18 story towers at 714 P Street and the DMV headquarters on Broadway in 2010. If torn down, it will be a loss to the cities already struggling skyline.

UPDATE: The Planning and Design Commission won’t be reviewing the Vanir Tower project till maybe September.

State Building 8 & 9 on the left with the Resources Building in the center
and State Capitol on the right.

Golden 1 Center & Downtown Commons Construction Photos

Golden 1 Center with Downtown  Commons cranes in background 5th & L Streets  

The Golden 1 Center construction currently includes:

• Installation of the roof solar system
• Installation of Million Trees panels at exterior soffits
• Installation of storefront & glazing at exterior north wall of Practice Facility
• Installation of exterior LED video panel supports at each side of Main Entry hangar doors
• Installation of LED ribbon board supports
• Start-up, testing and commissioning of mechanical, plumbing and electrical equipment
• Installation of interior drywall, texture & painting
• Installation of metal ceiling systems at Main Concourse
• Framing, rough-in, and build-out of concession stands and Central Kitchen
• Installation of low-voltage / telecom / video-production cabling & racking systems
• Installation of Data Center equipment racks, cabinets and in-row cooling units
• Installation of casework, countertops and tile at Lofts and Suites
• Installation of cabinetry, flooring and finishes at Courtside Clubs, Locker Rooms, Star Rooms and other Event Level spaces
• Installation of glass railings at Lofts, Suites and Upper Bowl
• Installation of seating in the Upper Bowl
• Installation of elevators and related equipment
• Installation of storm and sewer lines from arena to tie-in at 7th & K St.
• Installation of storm drain tie-in at 5th & J St.
• Installation of Plaza waterproofing, rebar, formwork and pouring concrete planter walls
• Curb, gutter and sidewalk replacement work along L St. 

Downtown Commons (Doco) Construction

• Forming deck in area near 5th & J Street at level 5
• Placing rebar on deck in area near 5th & J Street at level 5
• Pouring concrete on deck in area near 5th & J Streets at level 5
• Raising column rebar in area near the scientology building at level 4
• Placing forms for columns & walls in area near the scientology building at level 4
• Pouring concrete for columns & walls in area near the scientology building at level 4
• Forming and pouring columns behind area facing the scientology building at level 3
• Forming deck behind area facing the scientology building at level 4
• Forming deck near arena ramp area at level 3
• Placing rebar on deck near arena ramp area at level 3
• Pouring concrete on deck near arena ramp at level 3

Downtown Sacramento Arial view

Golden 1 Center with Downtown  Commons cranes in background 5th & L Streets 

Downtown  Commons construction at 5th & J Streets 

Golden 1 Center with Downtown  Commons cranes in background.
Taken from 555 Capitol Mall, 12th floor looking north.

Golden 1 Center on L Street looking west between 5th & 6th Streets 

Golden 1 Center looking west on K  & 7th Street 

Downtown  Commons construction looking south from 6th Street 

Downtown  Commons construction on J Street looking west. 

Downtown  Commons looking south on J Street. 

Downtown  Commons construction looking south at 5th & J Streets. 

Downtown  Commons construction at 5th & J Street looking South East.  

Downtown  Commons construction at 5th & J Street looking South. 

Downtown  Commons construction at 5th & J Street looking South. 

Downtown  Commons construction on J Street and 5th looking east. 

Golden 1 Center on 5th Street looking south.

Downtown  Commons construction on 5th Street looking North. 

Downtown  Commons construction on 5th Street looking North.

Downtown  Commons construction on J Street looking East.

Downtown  Commons construction looking east from 16 floor of Holiday Inn

Downtown  Commons construction looking east from 16 floor of Holiday Inn

Downtown  Commons construction on J Street & 
6th Street looking south.

Panoramic view looking north from 12th floor of 555 Capitol Mall

Panoramic view looking east from 16th floor of Holiday Inn.

Panoramic view from 7th floor of parking garage at r & 16th Streets