Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

This project will be constructed in two phases and includes demolishing the existing church and building a new 1000 seat Cathedral worship facility which the Design Commission approved last week.

A joint venture project is also in the planning stages for a new B Street Theatre in partnership with Sutter Hospital. The theatres planned for across the street from the Cathedral between 27th & 28th Street on Capitol Ave. with 95 condos and a 250 seat theatre.

Sacramento Intermodel Transportation Facility

The proposed Sacramento Intermodal Transportation Facility (SITF) is planned to be developed in three phases and would include the a realignment of existing rail tracks (Phase 1 estimated cost $56,169,000), improvements to the existing Sacramento Valley Station, which includes the current Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (Phase 2 estimated cost $21.9 million), and eventual transformation of the Station into a multimodal transportation center (future Phase 3 estimated cost $261.9 million).

The proposed project site consists of 33 acres, including the existing Station that’s owned by the City and the Cities in the process of acquiring additional land immediately north of the Station for the proposed project. The area to be acquired also contains the approximately 3,300-foot-long UPRR rail corridor (current alignment and proposed realignment) between the Sacramento River and 7th Street.

Phase 1 would be constructed and fully operational in 2010. Phase 2 would start construction in the first quarter of 2011, after the completion of Phase 1, and would be completed in approximately 3 years. The timing of Phase 3 is uncertain and depends on the build alternative selected and availability of funding.

There are two alternatives in building the new terminal building to accommodate projected providers and passengers for the new facility. Alternative 1 is to not move the depot or alternative 2 is to move the depot 300 feet to the north next to the realigned tracks. Moving the Depot would ensure that it would become the anchor for the new Depot District and would generally shorten the connections between passenger modes.

The project has just completed a National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment evaluation and is open to public comment till May 15, 2009. A public informational meeting will be held on April 22, 2009.

Skyline Club

Panoramic photo taken from Arco Arena. (click to enlarge)

Streetcars Proposed for Capitol Mall

Today the Preservation Commission will meet to discuss a study of bring Streetcars onto Capitol Mall and back to downtown Sacramento. Over the past 30 years, public and private interests have examined the feasibility of streetcar and services that could travel between West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento, but in May 2007 West Sacramento became the lead agency to prepare a draft environmental impact report for the project to gain permits for the project.



With the partnership of West Sacramento, Sacramento, in cooperation with Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) and Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD), a partnership was formed to study the reintroduction of the streetcar and connect the cities and their shared riverfronts. The partnership was also aided by funding from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Community Design Program to perform a thorough analysis so elected officials, public agencies, citizens groups, and other stakeholders could make an informed decision on the proposed transportation investment.



The feasibility study includes a discussion of the technology, alignment, financing opportunities, and operating plans. The 2.2 mile proposed streetcar alignment would go from Washington/Triangle/Civic Center areas of West Sacramento and cross the Tower Bridge. From there the tracks would travel down Capitol Mall and cross over to K Street where it would then make a loop around the Convention Center heading back to West Sacramento.

The purpose of the proposed project is to improve transit service and local circulation by connecting both West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento with an alternative (non-auto) mode of transit in supporting existing and future development in the Cities of West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento. Approximate cost to build the Streetcar system is between $50 and $60 million.

Click here to see Video of Proposed Streetcars in action.

Developers buy 730 I Street building for $7.8M

The Sacramento Business Journal's reporting that Sacramento Counties selling the Bank of America Building at 730 I St. for $7.8 million. The new owners will either refurbish it into a “first-class commercial project” or raze the building and put up a new one. If the group elects to refurbish the building, it must revamp the exterior with glass, concrete or other contemporary materials and may add a fourth floor.

The developers Ravel Rasmussen Properties and Separovich/Domich Real Estate Development are buying at a great time and I hope they have big plans to replace this building when the market improves. In 2006 D.R. Horton had big plans to build high-rise condos before the housing market went south. In this case I hope the new owners do something that’s a mixed use of both office and housing because downtown really needs more people living and working in the area.

EEG Site One Developer Selected

EM Johnson Interest and Nehemiah Community Reinvestment Fund Holdings (NCRFH), a member of the Nehemiah family of companies, has been selected as the developer for East End Gateway Site 1. Located on the northwest corner of 16th and N Streets, the site is currently occupied by a parking lot and a small apartment building.

The selected proposal identifies sources of equity and construction financing and emphasizes the development of mid-rise entry-level “workforce” housing. The structure was designed by Devrouax + Purnell Architects and will be 8 floors (7 floors over a concrete podium). The structure will contain 98 condominiums, 6,000 s.f. of retail and 120 parking spaces. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2010 and be completed by January 2012. The total project development cost is estimated at $37 million.

Projects completed by Em Johnson Interest include the Fillmore Heritage Center and North Beach Place in San Francisco (in partnership with Bridge Housing), Richmond Village, and Palm Villas in Oakland. NCRFH was the joint venture partner in developing over 1,900 units of housing in California, is the developer of the Township 9 project in Sacramento's River District, and provides community lending throughout the United States to help revitalize economically stressed neighborhoods.
http://www.cadanet.org/eeg.php

Snow Capped Mountains

K Street compromise

Friday, March 13, 2009
Sacramento Business Journal

Opinion

The issue: The city approved a $5.7 million subsidy for a nightclub/restaurant on K Street despite protests / Our position: The subsidy’s new restrictions should be enough to quell the controversy without killing the project

Sometimes, a compromise is a victory.

And a controversial development on K Street is proof.

A complicated accord, reached during last-minute negotiations, will allow developer David Taylor and the CIM Group to contract with an out-of-town nightclub and restaurant owner to open a bar, gourmet pizza eatery and nightclub. Construction is scheduled to start by the end of April, and the so-called dive bar — featuring mermaids and mermen — and other entertainment-oriented spots could open by the end of the year.

It’s a long-overdue and much-appreciated development for K Street, which has battled eminent domain lawsuits, failed shops and a look-over-your-shoulder feeling. Sure, an arts center, museum or major retailer is a better use of the building, but an entertainment outlet is a huge step forward.

Any development is better than a block of decaying and neglected structures.

The late-in-the-game agreement turned controversy into compromise and is evidence of a let’s-get-it-done attitude under Mayor Kevin Johnson and a revived City Council.

There was anger, debate and, in the end, a resolution. Truly, a great example of the process at work.

Certainly, closed-door meetings created the deal, but it was a public dispute from the beginning, culminating with full-page newspaper ads and media coverage during the final week.

The Sacramento City Council approved the $5.7 million “altered” subsidy for the development, ending a few hours of public comment and dozens of speakers about the project.

Under the agreement, San Francisco nightclub owner George Karpaty cannot combine the business spaces to create a huge nightclub without Council approval, and $2.1 million in funding will be delayed until a tenant is found for the fourth space. A more-than-acceptable agreement, for both sides.

The controversial funding comes from $25.6 million generated from the sale of the Sheraton Grand, another high-profile and much-needed project Taylor powered. Those dollars could be used only for downtown redevelopment, and the bar-pizzeria-nightclub fits the bill. Karpaty and Taylor will combine to invest $5 million in the project.

However, many midtown business owners challenged the city subsidy, saying the entertainment venues would hurt their own struggling operations. It’s an acceptable argument, especially with the dismal economy and fast-declining consumer spending.

But K Street needs development. Now, with the agreement, the on-again-off-again renovation of the often-overlooked street can resume and get “off its knees and back on its feet,” in the words of City Councilman Ray Tretheway. The agreement between the city, the developers and midtown business owners will also help the city stand a bit straighter in the eyes of the community.

$550 Million for New Sacramento County Courthouse

Today on the Ninth Street steps of the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse, Assemblyman Dave Jones unveiled a new deal for Sacramento County to build a courthouse expected to cost $550 million. The new site of the building has not chosen yet but court officials would like it to be on the site of the two-story parking lot across Eight Street from the existing facility. It would house 35 to 49 new courtrooms for criminal proceedings. Funds to build the new court house will come out of the $5 billion lease revenue bond that was enacted buy the legislature last year.

$550 million is alot of money…here's the costs of some other local State projects and what we got for the money.

Federal Courthouse, 6th and I Streets
Project Description: Construction of a 16-story, 380,000 sf office building forthe United States Federal Courts. 19 courtrooms.
Total Project Cost: $134 million
Date of Completion: 1999

State of California East End Project, 15th and Capitol Mall
Project Description: Construction of 1,470,000 gross sf of office and retail.Approx. $4.2 million was allocated for housing, preservation, lighting and park enhancements.
Total Project Cost: $392 million
Date of Completion: 2003

Cal EPA Building, 10th and I Streets
Project Description: Construction of a 25-story, 765,000 sf office building forthe California Environmental Protection Agency. The building houses approximately 3,500 employees.
Total Project Cost: $170 million
Date of Completion: 2000

Five Hundred Capitol Mall

Last Friday I was invited to go up into 500 Capitol Mall (The Bank of the West Tower) and get a few photos of the 4-story lobby off Capitol Mall and the shared 25th and Penthouse windows at the top floors. The building is currently experimenting with interior lighting in the lobby and soon the pinnacle at the top of the tower. By mid-March exterior lighting facing Capitol Mall will be turned on to really making the building stand out.

Click on picture to enlarge

La Valentina Station

This project consists of developing several vacant lots into a four story structure, 63 apartments, 7 live/work apartments, 6 commercial spaces, and 63 parking spaces. The building is adjacent to the light rail station located along the north edge of the site. Contemporary in design the project uses a large amount of fiber cement board oriented as a horizontal rain screen along the façade of the North building and vertically as the main finish material. Cement plaster is proposed as a secondary material on the building. Fiberglass windows and doors have been proposed for durability and efficiency in lieu of vinyl. Water jet cut Corten steel railings are proposed at the south building as a decorative element. The project has been designed to incorporate sustainable design techniques including passive solar design, photovoltaic systems, a green roof area, and vegetated swales along the rear property line.

The project will require Planning Commission approval of entitlements for Environmental, Special Permit to allow reduction in required parking, Special Permit to allow building to exceed maximum height allowed by the zone, Special Permit to allow gated development, variance to reduce interior side setback, variance to allow compact stalls to exceed a maximum of 40%, variance to allow a roof structure to exceed the maximum allowable height. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear this project on March 12, 2009 for final action.

When $30M isn’t enough

The issue: Westfield is planning to expand the downtown mall / Our position: A $30 million investment is not enough to make the mall vibrant

Sacramento Business Journal
Friday, February 6, 2009

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has been criticized for his fast-moving actions and forward-looking goals, from an effort to establish a strong mayor form of government to hiring an out-of-state firm to look at money-saving options for the city facing a possible $50 million shortfall.

But almost anyone who has cruised through the central city would applaud the mayor’s hard-line stance on the Westfield Downtown Plaza. The center — a collection of brand-name retailers, mom-and-pop shops and numerous empty storefronts — has been a disappointment for the past several years.

Now, the Westfield Group, one of the nation’s best-known and largest shopping center owners, has announced an expansion and face-lift for the open-air mall. Company executives are sharing few details or a timeline for the multimillion-dollar project.

But community leaders and downtown executives say the project will cost about $30 million, a paltry amount compared to the Westfield Galleria at Roseville.

“We’re not going to be satisfied with a modest investment,” Johnson said during the State of Downtown breakfast Jan. 22.

Neither will we. We also won’t be satisfied with a half-hearted investment that does little more than push retailers around the center like a 4-year-old who hates the peas on his plate.

Sure, the food court will move from the west side of the center, near the movie theater, to the east side. New retailers are being courted to open in the former food court space, though national chain Target has canceled plans to open in the mall. And Westfield wants to improve the light and visibility in the shopping center. All are much-needed improvements to the shopping center.
But it’s not nearly enough.

The center, which has more retailers leaving than opening, is an anchor in downtown. And not in a good way. The city has announced an aggressive effort to address K Street mall, a collection of badly damaged buildings and many closed shops, to help jump-start development on the several blocks between the Sacramento Convention Center and Westfield Downtown Plaza.

Downtown Plaza also desperately deserves attention from city officials and downtown leaders. Without some much-needed prodding and tough love, many residents will hate going to the center that will become nothing more than an extension of K Street’s woes.

The Westfield Group invested about $270 million at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville. That’s big-time dollars, but, to be fair, the center continues to exceed expectations with high-end retailers and high-income shoppers.

We cannot ask for, let alone expect, a comparable investment at the downtown mall, which caters more to blue-collar and state workers, and generates about half as much sales-tax revenue as Arden Fair. But the current plan for the downtown center fails to generate excitement about the project.

Certainly, the cash-strapped city needs to set aside some dollars for the downtown center’s expansion and face-lift, but Westfield also needs to detail much-larger plans than its modest project. Otherwise, the city — and community — will be investing money in a still often-overlooked shopping center.

Link to article

Urban Oasis

Crest Theater Improvements Project

The Sacramento City Council passed a motion last week to loan an additional $160,000 to the existing $253,839 loan principal to create a new loan to be used for capital improvements to the theater. The loan is forgivable in the year 2019 if the theater makes structural, safety, and aesthetic improvements as part of scenic easement to the Crest Theater marquee. An Owner Participation Agreement (OPA) with The Briggs Family Group (Owner) is to provide Downtown Redevelopment tax increment funds to the project. The loan would add $160,000 to the existing loan principal $253,839 and create a new loan of $413,839 to be used for capital improvements to the theater.

Crest Theater Loan Documents

East End Gateway Site 4 - 16th and P

Coming Soon: The Shady Lady and de Vere's Irish Pub

With all the new night spots opening in Downtown and Midtown over the last few years, I really wanted to highlight these two business that are ready to open in the near future.

As most of you know, a large majority of the bars and clubs that have opened up are of the upscale , $15 - $20 cover, loud DJ, dressed up type places. I'm glad to see that more of these places have opened since there has been a void for someone who wants that scene, but I've been really wanting to see more variety in the offerings of new establishments.

I still enjoy going to places like that from time to time, but for the most part I want the Pub and the lively bar scene now where I don't have to pay $20 to just get in....I will gladly rack up one hell of a bar tab though.

From everything I have seen and heard, these two places will hit the spot for me. De Vere's for the classic pub atmosphere, The Shady Lady for the lower key speakeasy night were you can catch up with old friends over drinks and some lite playing live music in the background.

de Vere's Irish Pub (You guys better have the US v Mexico soccer game on 2/11!!)
Firestone Building - 16th and L Street
Open to the public Jan 30th.
http://www.deverespub.com/



























































































The Shady Lady
14th and R Street
Opening Spring time

Plan for 10th and K Revealed

I've always thought 10th - 13th could and would be great dining, nightclub and theater district. This plan definitely solidifies that with the addition of the Ella's, Cosmopolitan, Parlare, and these venues joining long-time stalwarts like The Crest, Community Center Theater, and even Imax Now just a couple more small theaters in the mix.

Hopefully at some point if the 700 and 800 block develop into a retail stretch, to fill the other part of that.

I find Mason's comments a bit odd, especially considering he just opened his new venue MIX early this month. If we have learned anything from Westfield, competition is a good thing.

One thing I will say is more housing or hotels in the immediate area would sure help these business out. There is still a lot of redevelopment funds that have been set aside for housing, but nothing has panned out yet.

I've been hearing about an imminent announcement for a hotel project on the corner of 10th and K for a few months now, but still nothing. The group is Tony Giannoini and the group that did the Ross Atkins remake on 10th and K.

I assume this money is coming from the funds set aside from the Sheraton sale, but 5.4M, plus what I am sure will also include the buildings themselves, sure does sound like a lot of redevelopment money for a couple new night spots. I really hope the city is getting the same type of agreement where they share in the profits over a certain amount.


___________________________________________________________________

Mermaids, dancing, pizza tossing? Developer reveals plans for new downtown nightspots
By Bob Shallit
bshallit@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Jan. 16, 2009

Mermaids on K Street? Believe it.

Sea nymphs swimming in an aquarium behind a bar is one element of an audacious - and very serious - proposal for a new entertainment complex in downtown Sacramento.

The proposal from acclaimed San Francisco nightspot owner George Karpaty also calls for a dance club targeting the "30s-and-over" set and a pizzeria known for its "dough acrobatics."

The complex would go into three storefronts between 1016 K and 1022 K St. and could be open by the end of this year, says Sacramento developer David Taylor, whose company is negotiating to acquire the proposed project site from the city's redevelopment agency.

That opening date is contingent on the city investing $5.4 million in redevelopment funds. The matter will go to the City Council next month.

Karpaty, who owns Ruby Skye and several other Bay Area nightclubs, says he's been looking for opportunities in Sacramento for two years and learned about the K street site last summer.

"It all just sort of fit together," he says of his plans, which include.

- Frisky Rhythm, a nightclub with plenty of seating, celebrity DJs and music that, Karpaty says, "gets 30-year-olds tapping their feet."

- Dive Bar, a "rustic" drinking spot, with a back bar aquarium that would be occupied at random times by women in mermaid costumes.

"We're going to create a buzz," Karpaty says. "People will be saying, 'Have you seen the mermaid?'" Instead of a juke box, the bar will have an oversized "flawless replica of an iPod." Guests could plug in their hand-held devices and play their own tunes, he says.

- Pizza Rock, an eatery by owners of Castro Valley's Pyzano's Pizzeria, known for the dough-spinning antics of owner Tony Gemignani, who promises the same kind of show here."Think of what the Harlem Globetrotters do with a basketball. We do it with pizza," Gemignani says.

Backers of the Karpaty proposal have kept a lid on the project - until now. But some local club owners fear it could cannibalize a shrinking market.

Mason Wong, owner of Mason's restaurant and the Park Ultra Lounge nightspot, says downtown and midtown already have "too many restaurants, too many bars and too many night clubs."

But Taylor, whose company is developing the project with CIM Group of Los Angeles, says Karpaty has the creativity and promotional chops to bring many more people to downtown, benefiting all. "He adds a whole new level of energy and marketing expertise," he says. "That can only help."

Downtown Plaza Losses Banana Republic and Ann Taylor

Little late, I know. Blame it on the economy, blame it on the poor performance of Downtown Plaza (DTP) in general, but Banana Republic and Ann Taylor will be closing its doors in DTP.

This is a pretty big loss for an already downward plunging mall. I had a feeling Ann Taylor would close, but I was a bit surprised by Banana Republic. For me personally, this leaves Macy's as the only place I go to DTP for, with BR being the only other one prior .

While all of it is not Westfield's fault, I really hope they take a fresh new look at what is needed...and not just a new food court. If they are not up to it, or willing, then sell to someone else. I get the demographics in the immediate are aren't exactly great, but come on.

I've said this before, but I really hope the city does not sink redevelopment funds into DTP at this point in time.

Fortunately, even with the loss of these establishments, as you will see in the next couple of posts, other things are on the way.
____________________________________________________________________


Banana Republic, Ann Taylor shutting Downtown Plaza store

By Mark Glover
mglover@sacbee.com

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009

Apparel and accessories retailers Ann Taylor and Banana Republic will be leaving Westfield Downtown Plaza by the end of the month, officials with the mall confirmed today.

Raelene Trumm, the mall's marketing manager, said she could not comment beyond confirming the closures.

She said that Westfield intends to move forward this year with the first phase of a multimillion-dollar face-lift at the mall. Most of that work will be on the mall's second level, where Ann Taylor and Banana Republic operate.

Officials with New York-based Ann Taylor could not be reached for comment.

Catherine Rhoades, a spokeswoman for Banana Republic's San Francisco-based parent, Gap Inc., said the company does not cite specific reasons for individual store closures. She said the company continually evaluates specific markets and the relative success of its stores in those markets.

Other area stores operated by the two retailers remain open.

Cold Sacramento Nights

click photo to enlarge

Shovel-Ready Sites Program Funding

On December 18th the City Staff recommend to the Planning Commission the transferring of $876,805 of funding from two little used Capital Improvement Program projects into the Shovel-Ready Sites Program. This was advised to encourage new job creation and increase General Fund revenue for the City. Amending sections 17.191.050 and 17.195.060 of the zoning ordinance in order to transfer funding from the Infill Fee Reduction Program (I06000300) and Low Income Fee Waiver/Deferral Program (I06000400) to fund the Shovel-Ready Sites Program (D21001300) with $876,805.

The Shovel-Ready Sites Program was established in 2004/2005 with the intent of encouraging economic development at key locations in the City. The goal of the program is to promote economic development by leveraging and attracting private investment. The program works to address and provide solutions to infrastructure, transportation, planning and environmental challenges. By preparing key sites for development, the City can help create new jobs and grow our sales and property tax base, thus increasing General Fund revenues. The program was originally funded with $650,000 but those funds have been used for shovel-ready efforts on Florin Road, the River District, and the remainder for the 65th Street Transit Village area. So at this time no funding remains for other economic development and shovel-ready effort.

The transfer of money would take money away from the Infill Fee Reduction Program designed to reduce up to $5,000 per unit of building permit fees for small residential infill projects. The Low Income Fee Waiver/Deferral Program was designed to reduce fees for those residential projects that were required to develop affordable housing under the requirements of the City’s Mixed Income Ordinance. Though both programs were established before the court rulings on prevailing wages, neither program has been used much over the last four years because each triggers prevailing wage requirements. Prevailing wage requirements can often dramatically increase development costs for projects that use these City funds. SHRA has identified that there are no projects on the horizon that could, or would want to, take advantage of these funds.

Shovel-Ready-Sites-Program-Funding-Meeting-Documents

IndieSacramento Monthly Trunk Show & Craft Bazaar

I love how this is on FIRST SATURDAY. Everything is 2nd Saturday, 2nd Saturday...let's hope this can become a big success.
___________________________________________________________________

IndieSacramento is Sacramento's largest MONTHLY trunk show & craft bazaar, held on the FIRST SATURDAY of every month from 12-4pm. The location may change on a monthly basis, so please check this website for details.

Our Mission:
The purpose behind IndieSacramento is to help spread the word about locally owned businesses and to help Sacramento gain the reputation it deserves as a city with cutting-edge art, crafts, and fashion -- plus great local shopping and eats.

Check out the website for photos and additional info: http://www.indiesacram...

California's State Capitol