CentralCityDigsBlog

The Fab 40s - East Sacramento

Elegant homes. A tree canopy that just doesn't quit.  Convenience to downtown Sacramento and Midtown's amazing restaurants.  Great holiday traditions.  And homes are staying on the market longer.  The desire to live in the neighborhood is still high, but prices are being affected due to long listing times.  Have you seen the 45th Street brick home?  AMAZING.

The Railyards: Downtown Sacramento's new homes

The Sacramento Business Journal referenced the City of Sacramento's continued work on the new homes planned for the area by the American River, north of the Railyard and Richards Boulevard. 

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There are two planned developers: Thomas Enterprises is planning The Railyards (considered the largest infill project in the nation) and Township 9.

The article references that they're vying for State transit-oriented and infill funds. Here's what else I learned:

• Township 9 calls itself "shovel ready"=
• Township 9 is planning to build 3000 (!) homes on 65 acres
• Township 9 doesn't have a planned lightrail station until 2010
• Township 9 wants to "widen 7th Street and create Riverfront Drive, a winding road along the river that would run alonside a park and ampitheater."

The Railyards is to build about 12,000 homes (holy guacamole!)

From the article:

The Railyards' mix is more likely to find success than Township 9's housing-centric approach. In addition to about 12,000 homes, Thomas Enterprises plans shops, office buildings and an entertainment district that would include the California State Railroad Museum. "We don't believe there is a market for housing in industrial or blighted areas right now," he said. "You have to create a 'place' first."

The roadways proposed within The Railyards would relieve highway congestion and allow alternate routes into downtown, and state funds would jump-start construction of the planned 5th Street extension and Railyards Boulevard, Totah said.

My biggest concern about both of these projects is, will it look like Natomas? Is it going to be ticky-tacky, cookie cutter homes in non-walkable communities??? Is it going to be the dreaded spray-on, every-California-suburb-has-it stucco, faux-Spanish-style home??? Are they going to be poorly built??

Are they going to preserve the river?? I HOPE SO!

Sutter General Hospital: Expansion

Located in Midtown, Sutter General Hospital's changes are huge. Interestingly, they've progressed with such little neighborhood conflict (so unlike Mercy!!), I've heard very little about their plans.  Looking at their website, there's some great resources - a time lapse construction view, a live medical campus construction camera , artistic plans (like the one below) that show what is, essentially, a campus!  It's very very cool. 

Construction images: http://sutterhealth.oxblue.com/smcsacramento/

Expansion plans: http://suttermedicalcenter.org/expansion/index.html

River Park Neighborhood Association

I'm always impressed to learn about neighborhood associations who do great things.  Add River Park's to the list!

They've got a great website and, based on its content, this group has done great things - - even more than just the great 4th of July parades!

Check out riverparksacramento.net

Alhambra Boulevard to Change

It's exciting to hear that Luis's Mexican Restaurant, vacant since - what - the early 90s or so?, is going to be converted to something new. AND they're taking out my favorite Chinese restaurant - MAYFLOWER! and to build what??????

.....a pharmacy!!!! - WHY, people, WHY must there be ANOTHER pharmacy in East Sac/Midtown?  In the last, say, 10 years, I recall the construction of the following pharmacies: (I can't always remember the brand- Sorry!)

• Rite Aid on Alhambra (almost directly across from the one going in)
• pharmacy at the former "little Luckys", 50th & J
• the pharmacy across 51st Street - on Folsom, across from TJ's
• S & 21st Street Rite Aid
• K & 17th Street
• soon to come.... the former Luckys site on F Street @ 23rdish

HOW MANY MORE PHARMACIES DO WE NEED??? I realize UCDMC, Sutter, Mercy, MedClinic are all right there, but there were already pharmacies galore! 

The saddest addition is the J Street Rite Aid that went in across from the family-owned Leader Pharmacy. The place I walked to after the birth of my daughter in 2001.  They were so friendly and kind.  And had fun gifty-stuff. I'm not sure how they're doing. I understood that perhaps the family from 2001 sold to someone else. 

Sacramento History under the roof

What a great Bee article written by Gina Kim today about finding the history of your home and its residents! This is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing to learn about. And if you'd every like to share information on your historic home, please do! The article indicates that these are good sources for your search:

deeds, building permits, tax records, phone books and Sacramento city directories, obituaries of former owners, probate files and wills

--The Sacramento Room (828 "Eye" Street)

--Sac Archives and Museum Collection Center

--Sac County Clerk and Recorder's Office

--Sac County Assessor's Office

--California History Section, CA State Library

Article:  http://subscriber.sacbee.com/user_registration/login/?goto=http%3A//www.sacbee.com/107/story/696795.html

Street Signs history

BTW, if you haven't heard of it there's a terrific book called Street Whys by Carlos Alcala, writer for the Sac Bee.

Find more videos like this on www.truveo.com.

Sacramento History: signs, KVIE, etc

I found an exciting local TV show on Comcast's OnDemand....Jack Gallagher hosts.

This episode was about Sacramento's street cars and a collector of very cool old fashioned signs made of -- porcelain!!

It's called Viewfinder STREET SIGNS - Take a free look at it onDemand by going to.....

Channel 1 <<Get Local <<KVIE<< "St Signs- St Cars"

The next broadcasted one is on Wed Feb 13 at 7.

Enjoy!

Been there. Seen it. 1600 H Street Lofts

Went for a tour Tuesday of the 1600 H Street Lofts... The builder says he designed them to be "New York style" with concrete floors, high ceilings and true, open spaces.  Pics to follow.

Hotel-Amenities in a Condo by the Capitol

The Towers project's residents were going to be able to reap the benefits of having a hotel onsite. Maid service, room service, athletic and pool access, and concierge services.  Folks were salivating at the prospects of having such a great resource.

Did you know you can get it at 15th & L Street, above the Residence Inn. Simply called "the Penthouses," they're your basic condo with nice Granite kitchens, big windows, and comfortably sized bedrooms. Lofts, they are not.  there are amenities of a residence hotel, referenced above. Parking is located just north of the apartments.

The remaining units include one on an above-tree level floor that has an AMAZING view of the Capital, right on the corner of 15th & L Streets.

They have been marketing them quietly as final touches are finished; now realtors are getting the opportunity to get their clients more involved. They're sweet!