Courting Disaster

In the current Feb/Mar Sactown Magazine there is well written piece by Rob Turner on the many reasons why the proposed superior county courthouse should NOT be built on Capitol Mall but instead built over at the other proposed site in the railyards. The list of reasons and examples includes the 2002 East End Project that was also a State funded project that ignored the pleas of the Sacramento review board and was not subject to any authority in how it was built... just how like this building will also be exempt to any design oversight. The article really nails it when it talks about how the area would also have a steady stream of felons and accusers at a site that should be reserved for something special.

The articles called "Courting Disaster" and I highly recommend picking it up or viewing it here.

Zwahlen Images Fresh New Look

I’m proud to announce that my photograph website Zwahlen Images has now gone live with a new look and more efficient method to view my photography. I still have many photos that I need to load into the “Archives” section, but in the mean time, please enjoy my new Masterhead slideshow where I have many of my favorite images rotating in random order.  Thank you for viewing both my blog and photography website, it keeps me motivated to continue posting new stuff when I know others out there also enjoy it too.

Gateway on Fremont Park

A $15 million proposal by Sukna Global Holdings has been chosen by CADA to development the East End Gateway Site 4, which is located across from Fremont Park. Named Gateway on Fremont Park, the proposed 30 for-sale luxury condominiums include 5th floor penthouse units that include panoramic views of Fremont Park. The Gateway Development Project includes street level retail space and 30 covered parking spaces.

The five-story, mixed-use developments would also include a farm on the roof that could grow crops and breed fish to possibly be served in the ground-floor restaurant. Condo price would start at $370,000.The proposals scheduled to submit a preliminary financing plan by June 27, 2011, a design program by September 27, 2011 and evidence of financing by October 27, 2011.

Sacramento Proposals of Times Past

Lot A on Capitol Mall 1989

A little over two years ago I started a thread on Skyscraperpage.com devoted to the many proposals that never saw the light of day in Sacramento and the many reasons why they failed. Scattered over seven pages, about thirty proposals (with more to come) and renderings detail the many reasons why they failed. Everything from tight financing forces, Federal government mandate, and limit height to protect the Capitol, it's a trip down memory lane and will make you wonder what our city could have been. A big one I still need to put together and post is from the late 1980’s when the Centrage project along along with many others as time permits me. Click here to check it out.


The Civic Tower 1990
North West corner of 10th & H Street



 

Steel Rises at Sutter Medical Center

About two weeks ago I noticed steel being erected for the Anderson Lucchetti Women’s and Children’s Center on Thirtieth Street. This should be the time when we start to see big changes as the frame for the 153.5 ft tall structure rises next to the Capitol Freeway. Sutters Midtown project can also be viewed by a web cam right here.

Broadway Triangle Development

Located along the north side of Broadway between 34th St & 3rd Ave in Oak Park, a request has been made to the Preservation Commission to develop a mixed use development consisting of 29 residential units and approximately 9,000sf of commercial space, 40 parking spaces, and several small urban park areas. Two of the structures involved in the project are existing historic structures, and several of the proposed new structures are to be constructed on vacant lots within the Oak Park Historic District. The parking for the project will be onsite garages and parking spaces as well as the introduction of on-street angled parking along 35th Street.

The proposed project is a collaborative partnership between Mr. Vrilakas and SHRA to activate the existing parcels, and further rehabilitate the Broadway Corridor and the Oak Park Historic District. This project requires a quicker timeline than most due to financing elements required to proceed with construction. The development team would like to break ground summer of 2011.

Railyard Update from Inland American

On Tuesday the 4th, the Sacramento City Council will receive their first update as to what Inland American plans to do with the Railyards since Inland took over last fall after foreclosing on Thomas Enterprises. I don't think Inland will propose much beyond finishing up the 5th &7th Street bridges and put off moving foward with the project till market conditions improve. With both retail and office vacancy rates high in the downtown and the Sacramento area, I can't envision Inland wanting to build anything while the markets are contracting. I think they will either sell off the land in pieces or build a smaller modified version of what was originally proposed. Talk is cheap, so until something is actually under construction, I would not believe much of what you hear.

Old Sacramento - Gold Rush Days

I took this set late summer during Gold Rush days in Old Sacramento. I plan to have them up on my website soon, but until then please follow this link here.
 

Inland Begins to Layout Railyard Plan

Inland Real Estate Group who took over the defaulted railyards last October will appear before the City Council this Tuesday to discuss some of their plans. According to The Sacramento Press; Dean Stermer of Inland said that "Our primary job is to complete the work that's ongoing right now" and that “item authorizing Interim City Manager Gus Vina to appropriate $7.5 million in federal funds and transfer $1.5 million from the city's State and Federal Grant Match Project for railyards access improvements to Richards Boulevard and Interstate 5. The contract is expected to be awarded in March. The total cost of the project is estimated at more than $10 million."

The City Council meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday will be the council's last for 2010.

La Valentina Station Groundbreaking

Please join Domus Development, the City of Sacramento, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, community leaders and local residents as we mark a new chapter in the life of Alkali Flats and take steps toward transforming an abandoned, blighted area into an attractive, convenient neighborhood.

With transit-friendly living and LEED designed efficiencies like net-zero energy use, projects like La Valentina represent creative new thinking in how California cities and towns can prepare for a growing population.

Confirmed speakers include Sacramento City Council Member Steve Cohn, La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, and William J. Pavão, Executive Director of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee. Other special guests invited.

Fresh hot espresso drinks will be available, courtesy of Old Soul Coffee. It's a tasty salute to things to come, when La Valentina brings a brand new café to the neighborhood.

When: Thursday, December 9th at 2:30 pm
Where: 12th Street between D & E Streets, Sacramento

Please RSVP to Erin Kelly at erin@domusd.com.

Township 9 granted $1.3 million

One of the few large infill projects still moving forward in the Sacramento area got another financial boost by the state yesterday; this time from the State's Housing and Community Development's Catalyst Projects for California Sustainable Strategies Pilot Program in the amount of $1.3 million. With the combination of several other grants received thus far, the project has lined up $52 million in total grants with $30 million from Proposition 1C and $20 million in infrastructure grant funds.

Township 9 is a 65acre planned mixed use community located in the City's River District and adjoining the southern boundary of the American River. The Light Rail Green Line Station is currently under construction and will begin operations in early 2011. The first major building to begin construction at Township Nine will include 180 apartment units and ground floor retail with the rest of the project constructed incrementally over the next ten years. Township Nine is also expected to achieve Gold status for The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED™ for Neighborhood Development program. The total projected cost to built out this project estimated at $1.7 billion.

Needed K Street Entertainment Coming Soon

The date of January 12, 2010 has been chosen for the opening of George Karpaty vintage Dive Bar, pizza restaurant and upscale night club. Developers David S. Taylor and CIM Group received a city subsidy of $5.4 million to renovate the buildings with Taylor spending nearly that much again on the buildings and the tenant would invest about $1.7 million. The subsidy money came from a pool of proceeds by the sale of the downtown Sheraton and are earmarked for downtown development. Entertainment venues include the Frisky Rhythm Dance Club, Pizza Rock and Dive Bar which will have warm water 100,000-pound aquarium with an occasional visit by a mermaid or a merman.

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?

Sacramento Prints

Treat yourself or someone you know to some unique images of Sacramento by taking advantage of my special deal on prints. From now till the end of December, my vast Sacramento photo gallery will lower its print prices by $5 (per print) from the regular price listed below till the end of 2010. All prints would be made on a Photo Quality Luster paper with the option of also mounting them on Matt Board for additional $10.00 (which I recommend). Other canvases are available, so feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Please look at my galleries here and here.

8x10 inch Print $35.00
11x14 inch Print $38.00
16x20 inch Print $40.00
16x24 inch Print $40.00
30x40 inch Print $63.00
36 x 48 inch Print $82.00
40 x 60 inch Print $103.00

When choosing a print, please attach the photo or photos to an email describing the size of the prints and if there are any additional instructions. Once I have confirmed the order it will take about two weeks till the prints are ready. Please send orders to michael@zwahlenimages.com.

Kelly Team will lead C.O.R.E Arena Proposal

As reported by the Sacramento Business Journal; Developer Larry Kelley and his senior managers at McClellan Park have partnered with restaurateur Ali Mackani to push for an arena at the site of Westfield Downtown Plaza.

The Kelley team will lead the effort to develop a downtown sports and entertainment complex with the Mackani’s C.O.R.E. Group, Kelley announced Thursday.

Kelley brings a strong management team to the C.O.R.E. Group, which now has another chance to convince Sacramento city leaders that they should consider this arena proposal. Mackani’s proposal was one of seven proposals offered to the Sacramento First Task Force nearly a year ago. The city went with a partnership of Gerry Kamilos and David Taylor, which proposed developing a downtown arena as part of a three-way land swap with Cal Expo and Arco Arena. The city’s exclusive negotiations with the Kamilos/Taylor group has expired, opening up possibilities once again for other proposals.

In a news release, Kelley said that a weakness in the previous C.O.R.E. plan was a lack of an experience development team to make the project a reality.

The C.O.R.E. Group also added to its team the law firm of Weintraub Genshlea Chediak, led by real estate attorney Mike Kvarme and attorney Matt Massari.

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson decided last month to reconvene his arena task force to consider old and any new arena proposals. Kamilos and Taylor and their Sacramento Convergence LLC group hope to bring back a viable plan to the City Council in January. That group’s proposal fell apart in September when Cal Expo decided it would not participate.

Speakeasy Tour this Saturday

Want something fun and different to do this Saturday night? Have friends/relatives in town for Thanksgiving week? If you’re a fan of history, cocktails, or both, grab your group and join Downtown Sacramento Partnership tour guide and history buff Shawn Peter for the Sacramento speakeasy tour and pub crawl! The speakeasy tour takes you on a pub crawl through Old Sacramento and each location was a former speakeasy site during the prohibition. The tour begins at the River City Saloon and heads to several bars throughout Oldtown, including the Delta King, once a hotspot for prohibition drinking, jazz bands, gambling and fine dining. At each stop, you’ll have time to purchase prohibition-era cocktails and beer while you ponder and discuss Sactown’s rich history and dirty little secrets. The tour is only $10 per person, and the more, the merrier! The tour lasts about 2 hours and is a great way to kick off a fun night on the town with your friends.

Please call (916) 442-8575 or email dsp@downtownsac.org to make your reservation. Last minute walk ups are also welcome, but reservations are encouraged to hold your spot!

When: Saturday 20th, 2010.

Content provided by The Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

Iceland Restoration

Iceland is currently requesting a special permit to establish an outdoor ice skating rink to operate within the building footprint of the Iceland ice skating rink that was destroyed by fire in March 2010. The outdoor ice rink is intends to operate for approximately two years before the former, fully enclosed, structure can be rebuilt. Their goal is to re-opening for the winter of 2010

The Iceland ice skating rink was built in 1940 and was in continuous operation until March of 2010 when the structure was badly damaged by an arson-set fire. Though there was extensive damage to Iceland, the exterior walls remained standing. The intent of the current request is to operate Iceland as a nonprofit, outdoor ice skating facility that would operate during the winter season. The applicant expects to operate as an outdoor skating facility for one or two years until the facility can be fully rebuilt. Currently, the Iceland building is in the application process for Landmark nomination.

Downtown Ice Rink

Ice Rink Admission is $8 for a 2-hour skating session and $2 for skate rentals. The Ice Rink offers parking validations at the Westfield Downtown Plaza. Garage entrances are located at 5th & J streets and 4th & L streets. For more information visit www.downtownsac.org/icerink


Open Daily November 5, 2010 – January 17, 2011
Sunday – Thursday / Noon – 8 pm
Friday – Saturday / 10 am – 10 pm

K Street Developer Proposes Music Venue

D&S Development is proposing a 500 people music venue on the700 block and former site of the Men’s Wearhouse. This would be part of a mixed-use projects on the corridor long considered ground zero for the rebirth of downtown Sacramento.

According to the Sacramento Business Journal, “The multi-tiered concert space will sit on the corner of K and 7th streets, alongside local retailers and restaurants with a “Main Street” feel of second-story apartments inside K Street’s historic shops. That’s according to D&S Development, one of the partners negotiating with the city to remake the 700 block and enhance nightlife along the corridor.

The urban renewal can’t come soon enough for Sacramento, which will have invested more than $60 million in remaking two blocks of K Street if projects proposed there are built. While the city is looking to complete these deals, it also is examining the post-recession course for infill and redevelopment.

There has been $617 million invested in downtown over the past five years in 22 projects and all but five were to have been public-private partnerships. The K street projects on the 700 and 800 blocks also will be public-private partnerships that rely on subsidies.

After touring the buildings on the 700 block, D&S Development dropped the number of proposed apartments there from 136 to 125 and increased the retail space to about 60,000 square feet."

Design Concept for K Street Traffic

This Tuesday the 2nd  Thursday November 4th, Sacramento City Council will approve a Preliminary Design Concept with DKS Associates for final design for Vehicular Traffic Options on the K Street Mall in an amount of $238,873 and extend the time for completion to October 31, 2011. The objective of reintroducing vehicular traffic to K Street is to revitalize the area and improve circulation.

It’s the City staff's recommendation to approve the project and environmental document, the preliminary design concept, and Supplemental Agreement No. 2 with DKS Associates in an amount not to exceed $238,873 to prepare final plans. Should Council approve these actions, an invitation to bid and will return to Council in Spring 2011 for approval of the construction contract. Cars may return to K Street as early as Fall 2011.

History: K Street was once the bustling core of downtown, but since cars were removed in the late 1960s, the vibrancy has diminished. Recently, however, there have been successes on K Street and the City of Sacramento is interested in building on those successes and recreating K Street as a vibrant part of downtown.Vehicular traffic has been cited as one technique that can generate additional economic development and change perceptions of the corridor. The project purpose is to increase access and visibility to businesses, promote a safe environment, stimulate additional economic activity, and improve circulation.

In 2009, the City and the Downtown Sacramento Partnership commissioned a Downtown Activation Strategy from Downtown Works, a leading retail consultant. The report explains that in the late 1960s Sacramento made a similar mistake that numerous other cities across the United States made in the 1960s through 1980s by closing off streets to vehicular traffic and creating pedestrian malls. The intent was to replicate the feeling of the suburban mall which at the time was becoming increasingly popular. This strategy actually had the opposite impact and decimated retail in numerous downtowns, including K Street in Sacramento. The removal of vehicular traffic disrupted the Downtown grid and eliminated traffic which is critical to the success of retail.

On April 22, 2010, City Council approved an approximately $2.7M budget for the K Street Mall Traffic Study and its implementation. It also authorized a supplemental agreement with DKS to prepare preliminary plans. Council Supplemental Agreement