(Last UPDATED 9/17/2021) The Convention Center & Theater Projects are now complete! The renamed SAFE Credit Union Convention Center reopened earlier this month and the (renamed) SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center opened on September 15 with the performance of Hamilton.
Original Post
Description of the recently approved Sacramento Convention Center Renovation Expansion Project and the Community Center Theater Renovation Project.
Earlier this month the Sacramento City Council approved the design and the environmental impact report for the Sacramento Convention Center Renovation Expansion Project and the design for the Community Center Theater Renovation Project!
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
I was really excited to see the renderings of the two projects – what a big (and welcome) change.
See related blog post: Community Center Theater Renovation
Convention Center Renovation Expansion Project
The goals of the convention center project are to:
- maximize convention market capture;
- maximize event flexibility;
- improve guest experience (circulation, access);
- maintain ongoing operations; and,
- maximize synergies with Community Center Theater.
To this end, the west side of the convention center will be demolished and then rebuilt and expanded to include a new 40,000 square foot ballroom; new meeting rooms; two new exhibit halls; and, a new kitchen.
The east side of the convention center will be renovated to build a new lobby, add new meeting rooms, and upgrade the existing ballroom, pre-function and meeting space.
The east side lobby will abut a new public activities plaza that will join the two projects.
Community Center Theater Renovation Project
The goals of the Community Center Theater Renovation Project are to:
- address accessibility issues;
- upgrade patron experience;
- improve performance capabilities;
- streamline operations and functionality;
- expand community involvement in the arts; and,
- transform the appearance.
The appearance of the building will be dramatically changed – for the better. In addition to a new acoustic system and theatrical lighting and rigging improvements, there will be new seating, expanded lobby and restroom space, new concession areas and a new 2nd floor lounge.
See related blog post: Sacramento Name Changes
Updates
2021
(5/25/2021) Bad links removed.
2020
(7/23/2020) Construction on the expansion and renovation of the newly named SAFE Credit Union Convention Center is on track. Its opening is scheduled for Spring 2021. Newly available is an animated YouTube tour that provides you with a look at the layout of the meeting spaces of the new outdoor plaza, the West Lobby, East Lobby, and the ballrooms.
2019
(12/11/19) It was recently announced that the renovated convention center, theater, and a new outdoor plaza joining the two will be named the SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District. The district will consist of:
- SAFE Credit Union Convention Center
- SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
- SAFE Credit Union Plaza
The SAFE Credit Union has made a 25 year, $23 million commitment to the City of Sacramento in exchange for the naming rights.
(8/22/19) The City of Sacramento began renovation of the Community Center Theater this summer. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2020, so Broadway On Tour will return there for the 2020-21 season.
In the meantime, the 2019-2020 season (November 2019 through May 2020) will take place at Memorial Auditorium – located at 1515 J Street in Sacramento. The City has spent more than $16 million on upgrades at Memorial Auditorium so that it can accommodate the technical needs of these shows. Improvements include new seating on the Ground Floor and acoustical upgrades throughout.
The City of Sacramento box office at the Community Center Theater is closed during the renovation. Advance tickets will be available for all Memorial Auditorium events at the Memorial Auditorium. Call the box office with questions: (916) 557-1999.
2018
(10/26/2018) You will be hearing a lot about the C3 Project – the name for the renovation and expansion of the Sacramento Convention Center, the Memorial Auditorium, and the Community Center Theater.
The Memorial Auditorium will host all scheduled performing arts events during the renovation of the Sacramento Community Theater. Construction on the Memorial Auditorium began in Spring 2018.
Construction on the Community Center Theater will begin in Spring 2019, and the first phase of the Sacramento Convention Center renovation is tentatively scheduled to begin in January 2019.
If you work in or visit Downtown Sacramento during construction you will definitely want to keep updated on the progress of construction and how it may impact getting around in the immediate area. You can sign up for weekly updates as well as traffic alerts during construction at the City of Sacramento C3 Project homepage.
Comments on the Convention Center & Community Center Projects?
What is your opinion of the planned makeover of the convention center and theater?
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It’s about time. The acoustics and amenities at the convention center have been wanting for decades.
Yes, I agree!