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.
View Larger Map
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!
