Spurning an elaborate but costly proposal to transform two blighted blocks of Sacramento's ailing downtown K Street mall the city council chose a less costly, mixed-use plan restore the blocks sooner with four story buildings and 256 housing units.
"Today may be the most significant moment for K Street since the day 41 years ago when automobiles were taken off the mall. Tonight (July 13), the City Council decides which development proposal it prefers out of four submitted for the rundown 700 and 800 blocks of K Street."
The article continues, "Council appears poised to embrace a big, bold plan despite a significant financing gap – rather than a more modest proposal from downtown's most dependable developer."
However, by a 5-4 vote (with Mayor Kevin Johnson in the minority), council did the opposite, choosing the less elaborate, less costly project that may not have the 'transformative' effect on the blighted street the Mayor had hoped for.
Nonetheless, what one councilman called the more 'practical' plan will result in "more than 200 housing units, shops and restaurants" built with less city debt, and sooner (by 2012) according to developers D&S Development and David Tayor.
Did the city council miss a 'golden opportunity'? The Sacramento Bee believes so.
"(W)hat developers may take away is that the council does not share a vision for downtown, and is unwilling to think big. That is an unfortunate message."
FULL STORY: Sacramento council to vote on K Street Mall proposals
Sacramento's Tale of Two Downtowns
Northern California is no stranger to debates about redevelopment, displacement, and the proper mix of affordable and market-rate housing—but this time the setting for these stories is in the state capital of Sacramento.
State Ruling Puts Sacramento's K Street Revitalization Project on Hold
State officials ruled that the City of Sacramento did not meet deadlines for financing the K Street revitalization project, including improperly allocating redevelopment funds. The city disagreed and will sue to overturn the decision.
California Redevelopment Agency Projects To Be Ended
Cities and redevelopment agencies are pushing for legislation that give them a stay of execution. Meanwhile, cities are evaluating which projects will be impacted.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie