CentralCityDigsBlog

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!

Sacramento History: Trulia Hindsight

There's nothing more fun than watching a city you love grow.

Check out Trulia Hindsight and watch the Central City develop!

http://hindsight.trulia.com/map/#lat=38.551&lon=-121.465&zoom=13&mix=0.500

Tree Top Greens: Mistletoe - the culprit!

One of the joys of Sacramento life is our tremendous tree population. Our trees cool our homes in summer, provide recreation for climbers and swingers, and provide homes for birds and other wildlife. Additionally, they improve our home values and air quality, and even have a role in preventing flooding!

Driving around this winter, I’ve noticed that many large deciduous trees are remaining leafy in winter – a telling sign of mistletoe infestation (see picture for an example of mistletoe).  It’s a common problem and an important one to resolve – mistletoe strangles a tree’s ability to acquire its necessary lifesaving nutrients and makes it more susceptible to other diseases.

Now’s the time to act!  The best time to remove mistletoe is between November and March. To remove the mistletoe properly, here are some great options:

1.       Contact a certified arborist.  After multiple interviews for our large trees, I hired Tree Care Inc. (916-852-9500) and they were outstanding. For a guide to finding a tree specialist, visit http://www.sactree.com/aboutUs/how_to_hirearborist.pdf

2.     Borrow a free pole saw from the City of Sacramento by calling 916.808.6355  and cut it yourself. The staff at the Sacramento Tree Foundation is very supportive and will surely assist you.

3.     The City of Sacramento, partnered with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, will help City residents with a low-cost professional pruning service for front yard street trees.  It runs through March 31, so sign up now by calling 916.808.6355. More information is available at www.cityofsacramento.org, enter the keyword mistletoe for a quick link.

When the cold weather departs and we’re hit with sky-high temperatures once again, you’ll be thrilled that your winter maintenance has assured your trees’ health for years to come.

(Join the Sacramento Tree Foundation!)