Will IBM Help Sacramento?

I think this might be helpful and the City should look into this.

Deficits and cramped budgets are plaguing local governments around the country this year. Almost half a million dollars worth of technology and consulting services would be a more than welcome gift for most cities – and this is exactly what IBM is offering with its new Smarter Cities Challenge.

The pro bono program will grant 50 North American cities up to $400,000 in technology and consulting resources to help find solutions for local issues. IBM is now encouraging Sacramento to apply for the grant by December 31.

The grant could be used to make Sacramento greener and more sustainable, or to improve citizen engagement with our city. It could help build out our infrastructure in ways that are both creative and effective, or it could just assist with Mayor Johnson’s plans to improve government and foster economic development.

To learn more about the program, you can visit the Smarter Cities website.

It’s an open question: how could $400,000 in technology-based services from IBM benefit Sacramento?

If you ran the city, what problem would you solve? Is there a project you would help?

Ad Hoc Committee Created

This Tuesday the City Council will adopt a Redevelopment Agency Resolution to appoint a special advisory committee comprised of the Mayor and three Council Members to review the development team qualifications and project concepts for the 700/800 Blocks of K and L Streets, the Selection Committee recommendations, Staff's recommendation, and provide a recommendation to the Agency Board.

In December 2009, the Economic Development Department issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) soliciting qualifications and project concepts from development teams for the development of mixed-use projects for the 700 and 800 blocks of K and L streets (See Attachment 1, Map of Development Sites). Development teams were encouraged to submit team qualifications and project concepts for any of the development areas or any combination of the development areas. In February 2010, four proposals were submitted by the following development teams:

• Team 1: David S. Taylor Interests, Inc. is the Master Developer of this team and is supported by the CIM Group (Developer/Financial Partner), Domus Development (Associates Developer/ Affordable Housing Partner), and Zeiden Properties, LLC (Associate Developer/Retail).

• Team 2: D and S Development Company is the Master Developer and is supported by CFY Development, Inc. (Developer/ Partner/Contractor).

• Team 3: Bridge Housing Corporation is the Master Developer and is supported by Saca Development (Management and Leasing Services), and Bagatelos Development, LLC.

• Team 4: Rubicon Partners is the Master Developer with St. Anton Partners(General Partner) and Preferred Capital Advisors (General Partner).

Details regarding each RFQ response can be found on the Economic Development website here.