Old Sacramento Waterfront Revitalization

(Last UPDATED 12/27/19) Description of the actions taken by the Sacramento City Council to fund Old Sacramento Waterfront revitalization, including project status updates.

(Original Post) The Sacramento City Council, at a Special Meeting on April 30, approved funding that will get the ball rolling for the revitalization of the Old Sacramento Waterfront – finally.

Improvements to the Old Sacramento Waterfront are long overdue, so it is exciting to finally see some momentum.

Like many Sacramento residents, I voted in the recent Waterfront Idea Makers Competition on potential designs and improvements to the Old Sacramento Waterfront – so I was very interested to see what projects were proposed as part of the Destination Sacramento Program.

SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)

Up to $47 million of hotel tax revenue will fund the projects – funds that can only be used for projects to improve public gathering spaces.

At the Special Meeting city staff outlined six main projects for the Old Sacramento Waterfront, costing an estimated $39 million:

• A new building on Front Street (replacing the North Public Market), with an open first floor to be used for events and businesses and a second floor overlooking the river (approximate cost $10 million).
• A large open-space event lawn capable of seating about 5,000 people during concerts and other events (approximate cost $5 million).
• A playground-like area meant for kids during the day and adults at night (approximate cost $6 million).
• An interactive water fountain (approximate cost $4 million).
• A multi-use floating barge on the river (approximate cost $10 million).
• An multi-use event deck built atop the Sacramento History Museum (approximate cost $4 million).

City staff also cautioned that the concepts and costs could change as the project moves forward.  One member of the Sacramento City Council floated several additional ideas for projects in the nearby area outside of Old Sacramento.

UPDATES

(UPDATED 12/27/19)  Broken link deleted.

(UPDATED 12/12/19)  On December 10, 2019 the City Council authorized almost $175,000 for the design to two projects on the Old Sacramento Waterfront.

A third project under consideration, the improvement of the public docks along the river, was determined to be ineligible for funding from the transient occupancy tax – the major source of funding for the project.  City staff will look for other sources to fund this particular project, the cost of which is estimated to be up to $17.5 million.

The first project, on Front Street, is located on City-owned property next to the Sacramento River.  It will include a two-story building with public spaces and an event venue with views of the river.  The project includes walkways, concession stands, landscaping, water features and play areas

The second project will be the addition of an event space on top of the existing Sacramento History Museum.  An event deck will include seating, a conference room and historical displays.

Work on the two projects could begin as early as spring 2021 and open in 2013.

Comments of the revitalization of the Old Sacramento Waterfront?

What are your thought on the projects currently included in the Destination Sacramento Program for the Old Sacramento Waterfront?

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