[brandon12]

the Bee's reporting that Dixon Downs was rejected by voters.

[friedpez]

Thank God! The last thing we needed was another major greenfield development on I-80 between Sac and SF.

[ozone]

Thank god now Dixon can keep it abundant and obvious charms to themselves.

[TWAK]

I'm glad my NO vote went this far. That racetrack would of destroyed the town....for what? 3 million in tax dollars?

[Deno]

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/1/0...eers_land.html

List of best places for business to locate. Sacramento ranked 89th, California cities did not rank very high.

[Sacdelicious]

Late notice, but here ya go:

5:30 p.m., LIGHT RAIL _ Sacramento Regional Transit District holds open house to provide an update on the South Sacramento Corridor Phase 2 Project. Location: Elk Grove City Hall, 8400 Laguna Palms Way

[ozone]

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/1/0...eers_land.html

List of best places for business to locate. Sacramento ranked 89th, California cities did not rank very high.

Yeah well Forbes also ranks Las Vegas, Ventura, McAllen TX, Boise City, Brownsville TX and Orange County in the top ten best places to live. I think these guy's judgement is blown by all the OxyContin, Viagra, booze and cigars.

The problem with bean counters and statisticians is that can't believe that numbers don't tell the whole story.

[ozone]

I'm glad my NO vote went this far. That racetrack would of destroyed the town....for what? 3 million in tax dollars?

I think you are joking. I just don't get the Dixonites delusion of grandeur.

[greenmidtown]

Yeah well Forbes also ranks Las Vegas, Ventura, McAllen TX, Boise City, Brownsville TX and Orange County in the top ten best places to live. I think these guy's judgement is blown by all the OxyContin, Viagra, booze and cigars.

The problem with bean counters and statisticians is that can't believe that numbers don't tell the whole story.

I read the article and they were raving about Spokane, Washington. Even though the average wage is $8,000 below the national average, the town is a sh**hole, and doesn't even carry flights to the east coast. If you're a rich entrepreneur looking to exploit the cheapest labor here and abroad, Forbes is the magazine for you. If you're a middle class college graduate looking for a well-paying job in a great city with some art and culture, Forbes is a useless magazine owned by a dimwit.

[Phillip]

I think you are joking. I just don't get the Dixonites delusion of grandeur.How is rejecting a racetrack a delusion of grandeur? Authorizing three racetracks would have been a delusion of grandeur.

[ozone]

I didn't say that rejecting the rack was delusion of grandeur. It's just that ever since this racktrack thing I've heard people from Dixon quoted saying how great and charming their town is and I'm like WTH -that's what I mean by delusion of grandeur. Dixon isn't like Woodland which actually is charming.

[Phillip]

I didn't say that rejecting the rack was delusion of grandeur. It's just that ever since this racktrack thing I've heard people from Dixon quoted saying how great and charming their town is and I'm like WTH -that's what I mean by delusion of grandeur. Dixon isn't like Woodland which actually is charming.Whether you think Dixon is charming or not the people who live there voted that they don't want a racetrack.

[buckfmsac]

I read the article and they were raving about Spokane, Washington. Even though the average wage is $8,000 below the national average, the town is a sh**hole, and doesn't even carry flights to the east coast. If you're a rich entrepreneur looking to exploit the cheapest labor here and abroad, Forbes is the magazine for you. If you're a middle class college graduate looking for a well-paying job in a great city with some art and culture, Forbes is a useless magazine owned by a dimwit.
Living in Washington I can tell you that all I ever hear about Spokane is that it is very cold and then very hot without the trees and mountains that western WA. has. lots of crime and high unemployment too. not to appealing

[pearljammer]

just in case anyone is interested... I'll be there in my "Sacramento Riverfront 2025" t-shirt. ha haa

---------------

Docks Area Master Plan & Promenade Design workshop

Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
(11th & K Streets, above the Pyramid Brewery Company)

Sacramento Riverfront / Docks Area website (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/DocksAreaProject.htm)

Is anybody else going to this? I was thinking of checking it out... so long as it's not a formal event. I'm just wearing a sweatshirt and jeans.

[TowerDistrict]

Is anybody else going to this? I was thinking of checking it out... so long as it's not a formal event. I'm just wearing a sweatshirt and jeans.

I'll be there. i went to the workshop last august (?) and it was quite informal. there weren't very many people there either - but Mayor Fargo did make a guest appearance.

that workshop was the initial presentation of three land use alternatives. the developer gave their brief rundown of the progress and the next steps required. I hope they've come along on their dilemma of the "reservoir" relocation/restoration. This meeting should reveal two refined concepts and a design for the riverfront promenade. If it's anything less, this project will be well behind the ambitious deadlines they revealed last time - which was to begin construction by December of this year.

should be interesting.

[TowerDistrict]

Concepts to be refined...

A-2: this concept presumes the "reservoir" (storm water treatment facility) is relocated. Do not expect to see these towers still in the plans.

http://www.sacfrg.org/images/Docks_3D-A2.jpg


C: this concept leaves the reservoir in it's current location and makes badly needed repairs to it. This concept also plops a giant (+60 acre?) park on top of the reservoir. Again, don't expect to see any towers involved.

http://www.sacfrg.org/images/Docks_3D-C.jpg

[pearljammer]

Why no towers?

[snfenoc]

http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2007/04/16/daily43.html?surround=lfn


Westfield taps downtown plaza design firm
Sacramento Business Journal - 2:34 PM PDT Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Westfield Corp. Inc. has selected Callison, a retail design firm, to collaborate on the redesign of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza.

The Seattle-based firm was chosen partially for its familiarity with urban retail project, Westfield said.

Westfield has submitted a redevelopment plan to the city of Sacramento that would include new theaters, a larger food court in a different location, a grocery store and a new Target store. The plan, which has been estimated to cost as much as $80 million, was recently resubmitted to the city.

"Although still in the city approval process, teaming with Callison to revitalize Downtown Plaza with new life, energy and design further reinforces that commitment," said Larry Green, Westfield's senior vice president for development. "The new center will be more vibrant, friendly and attractive for our shoppers and retailers." Westfield anticipates proceeding with the work in stages. Westfield has said the entire job could take two years. The project needs approval from the city's design and planning commissions.

[TowerDistrict]

"the developer has not committed to towers" was a repeated quote at the last presentation.. as current market conditions in their situation don't make them necessary. I'm not saying that towers are out of the question - but if a developer doesn't need to build vertical to make a profit - then they aren't going to - but, we'll find out more tonight.

[ozone]

Whether you think Dixon is charming or not the people who live there voted that they don't want a racetrack.

Thanks for the update

[ozone]

http://sacramento.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2007/04/16/daily43.html?surround=lfn


Westfield taps downtown plaza design firm
Sacramento Business Journal - 2:34 PM PDT Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Westfield Corp. Inc. has selected Callison, a retail design firm, to collaborate on the redesign of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza.

The Seattle-based firm was chosen partially for its familiarity with urban retail project, Westfield said.

Westfield has submitted a redevelopment plan to the city of Sacramento that would include new theaters, a larger food court in a different location, a grocery store and a new Target store. The plan, which has been estimated to cost as much as $80 million, was recently resubmitted to the city.

"Although still in the city approval process, teaming with Callison to revitalize Downtown Plaza with new life, energy and design further reinforces that commitment," said Larry Green, Westfield's senior vice president for development. "The new center will be more vibrant, friendly and attractive for our shoppers and retailers." Westfield anticipates proceeding with the work in stages. Westfield has said the entire job could take two years. The project needs approval from the city's design and planning commissions.

This is also the first I've heard of a timetable so that seems like another positive. I know it's hard to think positive about Westfield but some improvement is better than none.

[downtownserg89]

Is anybody else going to this? I was thinking of checking it out... so long as it's not a formal event. I'm just wearing a sweatshirt and jeans.

i'm going! i'm sure you guys will reconginze me.

[ltsmotorsport]

So is concept b-1 out? I liked its street design best.

click here for pdf (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/documents/B.pdf)

[Phillip]

Thanks for the updateDixon has no issue with a racetrack in Midtown Sacramento though! :)

[TowerDistrict]

yes... B is out. and that was my favorite as well.

the catch to concept A-2 is that this concept allows for a larger open space park area, by going vertical with the buildings - as concept A-1 had a smaller park, but only two towers. So maybe if A-2 was chosen, the developer would be building upwards?

Choosing Concept C would basically mean that the city does not feel like moving the storm water facility. Though the developer did extensive studies on this and determined that the costs to moving it vs. fixing it and building a park ontop were nearly identicle.

[sugit]

Whoa...the new layout of the forums was weird at first. Looks like Sac, Bay Area, SD, and "Southland" are all broken out into separate forums. I guess every other cities topics now won't get lost in the dozens of:

"Los Angeles: Lets see how many repetitive topics we can post on one board"

anyways...

I found some renderings of the Studios for the Performing Arts for anyone interested

"Rehearsal, office, and classroom space for The Sacramento Ballet, Sacramento Opera, Sacramento Philharmoic Orchestra, and California Musical Theatre. Project is currently under going 11.5M fund raising efforts. Project is expected to be completed in 2 years."

It's on the empty lot on 14th and H next to the Music Circus and Brew It Up. Looks like a 5-story building.

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/8319/untitledtv3.png

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/4267/untitled1cp3.png

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1606/untitled2hn6.png

[TowerDistrict]

^^^ nice find! Looks pretty good, and MUCH bigger than i was expecting.

I'm hoping the east side isn't a windowless wall though. that side faces music circus, and would be a highly visible. it would also provide a nice view for those inside the studios.

[downtownserg89]

hooray. it's about time they do something with that empty lot! it made that area look lame and depressing. when will it be built/completed?

[sugit]

^^^ nice find! Looks pretty good, and MUCH bigger than i was expecting.

I'm hoping the east side isn't a windowless wall though. that side faces music circus, and would be a highly visible. it would also provide a nice view for those inside the studios.


Very good point, I hadn't even thought about the east side.

hooray. it's about time they do something with that empty lot! it made that area look lame and depressing. when will it be built/completed?

I think they want it done in 2 years. They are currently selling naming right for the project to raise money. It's a 25M project with the city kicking in 9M, a 5M loan, and 10-11M in donations

Here is how it breaks out:
Lead Donor: $5M Requested: Naming Rights (They said this one is imininet)
Ballet School Naming Rights: $1.5 - 2M
Studio One Naming Rights: $1 - 1.5M
Studio Two Naming Rights: $1 - 1.5M

[ltsmotorsport]

yes... B is out. and that was my favorite as well.

the catch to concept A-2 is that this concept allows for a larger open space park area, by going vertical with the buildings - as concept A-1 had a smaller park, but only two towers. So maybe if A-2 was chosen, the developer would be building upwards?

Choosing Concept C would basically mean that the city does not feel like moving the storm water facility. Though the developer did extensive studies on this and determined that the costs to moving it vs. fixing it and building a park ontop were nearly identicle.

Dammit! I only sorta like the other concepts, but more building height is always good.

Sugit, I'm not seeing the pics.

[Phillip]

Whoa...the new layout of the forums was weird at first. Looks like Sac, Bay Area, SD, and "Soutland" are all broken out into separate forums. Well I think I like the new board architecture. It's usually the Sac threads I read and now they're all conveniently gathered together.

Here are the viewing statistics for the four new subsections right now:

Sacramento: 24 viewers
Bay Area: 6 viewers
Southland: 15 viewers
San Diego: 2 viewers

Sacramento has more people reading skyscraperpage than the other three boards put together, and we're the smallest place!

What does it mean? :shrug:

[downtownserg89]

Sacramento has more people reading skyscraperpage than the other three boards put together, and we're the smallest place!

What does it mean? :shrug:

that we're cooler than everyone else. duh! :cool:

[urban_encounter]

Westfield taps downtown plaza design firm
Sacramento Business Journal - 2:34 PM PDT Wednesday, April 18, 2007


Westfield Corp. Inc. has selected Callison, a retail design firm,
to collaborate on the redesign of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza.

The Seattle-based firm was chosen partially for its familiarity
with urban retail project, Westfield said.

Westfield has submitted a redevelopment plan to the city
of Sacramento that would include new theaters, a larger
food court in a different location, a grocery store and a
new Target store. The plan, which has been estimated
to cost as much as $80 million, was recently resubmitted
to the city.

"Although still in the city approval process, teaming with
Callison to revitalize Downtown Plaza with new life, energy
and design further reinforces that commitment," said Larry
Green, Westfield's senior vice president for development.
"The new center will be more vibrant, friendly and attractive
for our shoppers and retailers." Westfield anticipates
proceeding with the work in stages. Westfield has said
the entire job could take two years. The project needs
approval from the city's design and planning commissions.

[ozone]

I like the Studios for the Performing Arts building. It's a hell of lot more styling than the Wells Fargo Pavilion.:tup:

[downtownserg89]

just in case anyone is interested... I'll be there in my "Sacramento Riverfront 2025" t-shirt. ha haa

---------------

Docks Area Master Plan & Promenade Design workshop

Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
1020 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
(11th & K Streets, above the Pyramid Brewery Company)

Sacramento Riverfront / Docks Area website (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev/DocksAreaProject.htm)


you lied! i kept an eye out for that t-shirt. anywho the workshop was really neat. they had great visuals and even had bread and grapes for the public to feast on. i met mister tower district, real cool guy. and some chick was like hey, i know you from SSP. i gave her my autograph. JK. you guys have to notify me on the next workshop gathering.

[NewToCA]

Callison did the design work for the Flatiron Shopping Center northwest of Denver. It was a beautiful design, and if they could pull off an open air version of that center it will be a noteworthy addition to downtown. I still think that the redevelopment of DTP is critical in the short run, need to keep upgrading to create more reasons to get folks to stay there after hours and on weekends.

My wife and I have been going to different areas in downtown and surrounding areas a couple of days per week the past couple of months. Compared to Columbus and Cleveland the city has more life. We are very optimistic that Sacramento is about to really move up (DTP, condos, K st, Railyards) to the category of a great city to visit and reside.

[TowerDistrict]

Back from he Docks workshop. Got to meet Serg, which was cool. Great guy, and a fellow downtown enthusiast - it's only too bad he ain't old enough to come out and drink with the rest of us ;) - But I got a lot of respect for anyone who comes out to these presentations. Hello to Rebecca, who may be lurking right now :sly:

--

Anyway - the Docks concepts have really come along, and are looking MUCH more impressive than the previous land use examples posted here. There still is no decision whether the reservoir stays or goes - thus Concept A2 and C still remain in the running.

Forget what i said about the towers not being in the plans - they were in there, and taller than before. If anyone remembers the draft concepts for the docks a couple years ago - the towers looked like that. There were three towers on both concepts, and I'd say roughly 300' each. The towers, however are phase two of the development, so don't expect those hitting the market anytime soon. What is encouraging, is that the towers will likely be factored into the EIR that will be under way late this summer.

The streets in both concepts are of the narrow, human-scale, and slow traffic variety. Parking will be below grade, which allows the development to sit up high and level with the levee at the riverfront. Thus, there is no bunker like transition between - it's seamless and very suited for pedestrian and bike travel.

The riverfront promenade, in my opinion, was the best part. They have some great ideas, including very conceptually driven sidewalks and landscaped areas and piers jetting out into the river. The most creative part, i thought, was the planting of grass or natural flowers and other landscaping in the middle of the rail tracks that run through the project. If anyone here is familiar with New York's Highline project - think along those lines.

Finally the timeline: The city decides which concept to proceed with by the summer. The developers begin the EIR late-summer (August-ish). The entitlement process concludes November/December. Bidding on construction goes out in the start of 2008, with construction starting in October of 2008.

i'll post slides from the presentation when they become available. You peoples will dig it.

whew...

[ozone]

Westfield taps downtown plaza design firm
Sacramento Business Journal - 2:34 PM PDT Wednesday, April 18, 2007


Westfield Corp. Inc. has selected Callison, a retail design firm,
to collaborate on the redesign of Sacramento's Downtown Plaza.

The Seattle-based firm was chosen partially for its familiarity
with urban retail project, Westfield said.

Westfield has submitted a redevelopment plan to the city
of Sacramento that would include new theaters, a larger
food court in a different location, a grocery store and a
new Target store. The plan, which has been estimated
to cost as much as $80 million, was recently resubmitted
to the city.

"Although still in the city approval process, teaming with
Callison to revitalize Downtown Plaza with new life, energy
and design further reinforces that commitment," said Larry
Green, Westfield's senior vice president for development.
"The new center will be more vibrant, friendly and attractive
for our shoppers and retailers." Westfield anticipates
proceeding with the work in stages. Westfield has said
the entire job could take two years. The project needs
approval from the city's design and planning commissions.


Some stunning work by Callison architecture :yuck: :
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9240/baystreet3lo0.jpg
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8329/jordanck3qk3.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4041/manhattan5dv5.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/3931/flatiron3uy3.jpg
FlatIron Crossing in Broomfield, Colorado

[downtownserg89]

Back from he Docks workshop. Got to meet Serg, which was cool. Great guy, and a fellow downtown enthusiast - it's only too bad he ain't old enough to come out and drink with the rest of us ;) - But I got a lot of respect for anyone who comes out to these presentations. Hello to Rebecca, who may be lurking right now :sly:

--

Anyway - the Docks concepts have really come along, and are looking MUCH more impressive than the previous land use examples posted here. There still is no decision whether the reservoir stays or goes - thus Concept A2 and C still remain in the running.

Forget what i said about the towers not being in the plans - they were in there, and taller than before. If anyone remembers the draft concepts for the docks a couple years ago - the towers looked like that. There were three towers on both concepts, and I'd say roughly 300' each. The towers, however are phase two of the development, so don't expect those hitting the market anytime soon. What is encouraging, is that the towers will likely be factored into the EIR that will be under way late this summer.

The streets in both concepts are of the narrow, human-scale, and slow traffic variety. Parking will be below grade, which allows the development to sit up high and level with the levee at the riverfront. Thus, there is no bunker like transition between - it's seamless and very suited for pedestrian and bike travel.

The riverfront promenade, in my opinion, was the best part. They have some great ideas, including very conceptually driven sidewalks and landscaped areas and piers jetting out into the river. The most creative part, i thought, was the planting of grass or natural flowers and other landscaping in the middle of the rail tracks that run through the project. If anyone here is familiar with New York's Highline project - think along those lines.

Finally the timeline: The city decides which concept to proceed with by the summer. The developers begin the EIR late-summer (August-ish). The entitlement process concludes November/December. Bidding on construction goes out in the start of 2008, with construction starting in October of 2008.

i'll post slides from the presentation when they become available. You peoples will dig it.

whew...

4 more years! and then i'll be able to join you guys at the bar. and hopefully by then i'll be able to walk around in a suit with a briefcase talking on a cell phone saying, "i'm on my way to the meeting, tell my secretary." haha.

but seriously, i really thought the ideas they had were great. especially the boardwalks into the river with the artificial grass. those looked really cool.

i'm really looking forward to seeing the plaza area with the coffee kiosk, retail stores, and the sitting areas.

oh and i just wanted to say, thanks for sticking around with me after the presentation. i would've felt like a loner and left a lot sooner if it weren't for your company. :cool:

[ltsmotorsport]

Well, it sounds like it was all good at the meeting tonight. I'm glad the time line has become more aggressive too, because not too long ago, it seemed like the docks were a long way off. Can't wait to see the updated concepts.

[foxmtbr]

Great to hear about the Riverfront, I can't wait to see these plans!

[innov8]

Back from he Docks workshop. Got to meet Serg, which was cool. Great guy, and a fellow downtown enthusiast - it's only too bad he ain't old enough to come out and drink with the rest of us ;) - But I got a lot of respect for anyone who comes out to these presentations. Hello to Rebecca, who may be lurking right now :sly:

--

Anyway - the Docks concepts have really come along, and are looking MUCH more impressive than the previous land use examples posted here. There still is no decision whether the reservoir stays or goes - thus Concept A2 and C still remain in the running.

Forget what i said about the towers not being in the plans - they were in there, and taller than before. If anyone remembers the draft concepts for the docks a couple years ago - the towers looked like that. There were three towers on both concepts, and I'd say roughly 300' each. The towers, however are phase two of the development, so don't expect those hitting the market anytime soon. What is encouraging, is that the towers will likely be factored into the EIR that will be under way late this summer.

The streets in both concepts are of the narrow, human-scale, and slow traffic variety. Parking will be below grade, which allows the development to sit up high and level with the levee at the riverfront. Thus, there is no bunker like transition between - it's seamless and very suited for pedestrian and bike travel.

The riverfront promenade, in my opinion, was the best part. They have some great ideas, including very conceptually driven sidewalks and landscaped areas and piers jetting out into the river. The most creative part, i thought, was the planting of grass or natural flowers and other landscaping in the middle of the rail tracks that run through the project. If anyone here is familiar with New York's Highline project - think along those lines.

Finally the timeline: The city decides which concept to proceed with by the summer. The developers begin the EIR late-summer (August-ish). The entitlement process concludes November/December. Bidding on construction goes out in the start of 2008, with construction starting in October of 2008.

i'll post slides from the presentation when they become available. You peoples will dig it.

whew...


Sounds positive... :fingerscrossed:

Sounds like you guys had a mini-meat :yes:

[TowerDistrict]

first phase of devlopment will begin at the north end. This part will feature a 5 or 6 story flatiron shaped building that fronts R Street Park. There will be a small kiok, as Seg mentioned in the park. Behind that to the south, will be mixed use buildings of roughly the same level, with below grade parking, retail and restaurants on the top two floors with housing above that.

to get an idea of what the promenade designs looked like - check out the Highline Project (http://www.thehighline.org/design/prelim_design/index.htm) in NYC.

[urban_encounter]

Callison did the design work for the Flatiron Shopping Center northwest of Denver. It was a beautiful design, and if they could pull off an open air version of that center it will be a noteworthy addition to downtown. I still think that the redevelopment of DTP is critical in the short run, need to keep upgrading to create more reasons to get folks to stay there after hours and on weekends.



The challenge (and the unfortunate part) will be that Westfield is only proposing to spend $80 million dollars...

That wont buy much more than a fresh coat of paint....

[pearljammer]

4 more years! and then i'll be able to join you guys at the bar. and hopefully by then i'll be able to walk around in a suit with a briefcase talking on a cell phone saying, "i'm on my way to the meeting, tell my secretary." haha.

but seriously, i really thought the ideas they had were great. especially the boardwalks into the river with the artificial grass. those looked really cool.

i'm really looking forward to seeing the plaza area with the coffee kiosk, retail stores, and the sitting areas.

oh and i just wanted to say, thanks for sticking around with me after the presentation. i would've felt like a loner and left a lot sooner if it weren't for your company. :cool:

I am a loner, so I did leave. :o) Sorry I didn't hang out and talk, but I'm shy. I also felt waaaaaaaaay under dressed in there. Then I saw Serg, so at least I wasn't the only person wearing ripped jeans. I just lurk on these boards, so I don't really know anyone, but I've read probably every post for the last year or so. Maybe I'll come out next time you guys have drinks.

[Grimnebulin]

I am a loner, so I did leave. :o) Sorry I didn't hang out and talk, but I'm shy. I also felt waaaaaaaaay under dressed in there. Then I saw Serg, so at least I wasn't the only person wearing ripped jeans. I just lurk on these boards, so I don't really know anyone, but I've read probably every post for the last year or so. Maybe I'll come out next time you guys have drinks.

Last time there was a Meat was what, 4-6 months ago? :shrug: I've tried making suggestions for a Meat but I'm not one of the shakers and movers on the board! :D

[innov8]

We meet up at R15 about two months ago and had a good turn out of
people... Grimnebulin, did you drink too much? :drunk:

Maybe in May?

[Grimnebulin]

We meet up at R15 about two months ago and had a good turn out of
people... Grimnebulin, did you drink too much? :drunk:

Maybe in May?

Was it only 2 months ago! Dang - seems like forever, guess I've been too busy.

Ha! I didn't drink that much to forget! :slob: :haha: I had to drive home, so I didn't get all wild and crazy like Brandon! ;)

[TowerDistrict]

I am a loner, so I did leave. :o) Sorry I didn't hang out and talk, but I'm shy. I also felt waaaaaaaaay under dressed in there. Then I saw Serg, so at least I wasn't the only person wearing ripped jeans. I just lurk on these boards, so I don't really know anyone, but I've read probably every post for the last year or so. Maybe I'll come out next time you guys have drinks.

that's cool you made it out - were you wearing a black hat? if so, i passed by you a couple times. Next time I'll know who who are. As far as being under dressed goes - it doesn't matter at all. I doubt anyone would be dressed up if they didn't just come from from their office jobs.

anyway - what did you think of the presentation and the concepts?

[pearljammer]

that's cool you made it out - were you wearing a black hat? if so, i passed by you a couple times. Next time I'll know who who are. As far as being under dressed goes - it doesn't matter at all. I doubt anyone would be dressed up if they didn't just come from from their office jobs.

anyway - what did you think of the presentation and the concepts?

Yeah, that was me. I didn't know who you were. I just thought you were checkin me out ;o) j/k ... I thought the presentation was really cool. Too bad we have to wait a few years for the study to be complete and construction to begin. I have HIGH hopes for Sacramento and love seeing any type of effort to improve. In my area (Arden/Del Paso) there are a lot of improvements going on. Tonight I'm going to another meeting for the Northeast Line Light Rail Stations Plan.

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/planning/projects/northeast-lightrail/
Historic City Hall
915 I St
Second Floor Hearing Room
5:30 PM

I haven't been to any of these meetings yet. I usually only go to the "StreetScape" ones for Del Paso Blvd, but this should fit right in with that. I know it's not downtown related, but I'll let you guys know if I learn anything worthy of mentioning.

[TowerDistrict]

it's all fair game here - this is a "sacramento" proposals thread.

about the docks - they had construction beginning in October 2008 - but, you're right, a full build out is probably several years away. same thing with the railyards.

[downtownserg89]

why don't we plan a 21 and under friendly meat soon?

:cheers: <<< (that's me but with apple cider)

[pearljammer]

why don't we plan a 21 and under friendly meat soon?

:cheers: <<< (that's me but with apple cider)

There are tons of all ages places with beer, food, and probably even apple cider. I'm sure someone can think of a cool place. I've never been to the Pyramid brewery that was below the meeting last night... maybe there???

[downtownserg89]

There are tons of all ages places with beer, food, and probably even apple cider. I'm sure someone can think of a cool place. I've never been to the Pyramid brewery that was below the meeting last night... maybe there???

wait, you were there last night? what were you wearing? are you the dude with the green jacket?

[pearljammer]

wait, you were there last night? what were you wearing? are you the dude with the green jacket?

Jeans, Black Shirt, Black/Grey Hat

[downtownserg89]

hmmm, doesn't ring a bell.

[pearljammer]

hmmm, doesn't ring a bell.

I sat 2 rows behind you... Then looked at some displays while you were talking to Tower... then I left.

[downtownserg89]

I sat 2 rows behind you... Then looked at some displays while you were talking to Tower... then I left.

oh really? you should've like said hi or something! i was hoping to see more SSP members there.

[reggiesquared]

Well I think I like the new board architecture. It's usually the Sac threads I read and now they're all conveniently gathered together.

Here are the viewing statistics for the four new subsections right now:

Sacramento: 24 viewers
Bay Area: 6 viewers
Southland: 15 viewers
San Diego: 2 viewers

Sacramento has more people reading skyscraperpage than the other three boards put together, and we're the smallest place!

What does it mean? :shrug:

I think it means they have plenty of skyscrapers in all those areas and they don't get too excited about new ones or "what that big hole downtown is" if its already surrounded by a cluster of very large buildings. Just my take.

[TowerDistrict]

Another take is that Sacramento has been forced to rethink itself as a city in the past few years. Every city department has expanded and overhauled their process. Land is being rezoned, redevloped, cleaned up and sold off - building restrictions have been rethought for taller, denser structures. Old neglected buildings are being renovated or torn down to make way for new ones. Pressure is mounting for future transit and traffic issues, etc. It brings a lot of public attention to a city that seemed to be in a little sleepy period.

[Phillip]

Well maybe those numbers I saw yesterday were an aberration because right now the numbers are:

Sac-4
Bay-6
Southland-10
San Diego-0

I guess everyone in San Diego is surfing.

A couple more thoughts about the new board architecture. First, I really like the idea of grouping threads by area. It's an improvement.

I don't like the title "Southland" so much though. "Southland" isn't a way I often hear people refer to L.A. and environs. I think readers from other states and countries might not recognize "Southland" as where the L.A. posts are located. I guess I would prefer "L.A." or "L.A./Orange County".

Also, should there be an "Other" category? It doesn't happen often but occasionally there are development stories that don't fit in any of the four categories. Last week I saw a story about an abandoned old hotel in Downtown Stockton being restored to a nightclub. There are a couple of 30+ story towers under consideration in Bakersfield. Where should stories like that go?

edited to add: I just see now that there's a thread for providing feedback about the new categories. I'll repost these comments there.

[otnemarcaS]

Well I think I like the new board architecture. It's usually the Sac threads I read and now they're all conveniently gathered together.

Here are the viewing statistics for the four new subsections right now:

Sacramento: 24 viewers
Bay Area: 6 viewers
Southland: 15 viewers
San Diego: 2 viewers

Sacramento has more people reading skyscraperpage than the other three boards put together, and we're the smallest place!

What does it mean? :shrug:

Probably means that us Sac forumers are slacking off the most at work by cruising the internet as these initial stats were mostly during yesterday's weekday work hours. :D

[urban_encounter]

I think it means they have plenty of skyscrapers in all those areas and they don't get too excited about new ones or "what that big hole downtown is" if its already surrounded by a cluster of very large buildings. Just my take.


I believe that your probably right reggie. Though Chicago has one of the best skylines in the world, and there are literally dozens of tower cranes up all over the city; there's just way too much stuff to get overly excited about here and I really don't have the time or energy to sort it all out....


I'm sure that's the case in SF and probably SD..

[bennywah]

^

well here in s.d theres defintely a lot still happening in downtown, as there has been over the last 4 yrs in particular, the problem here is we get a case of the sun illness, means we're out surfing, running, practicing sports, drinking, going to school. I've noticed since I joined a flag football league here I rarely even watch tv let alone troll the internet as party season has kicked into full swing down here. I do predict however that in June the San Diego forum will pick up when we go into june gloom. that lil stretch of 2-3 weeks here sucks, its cloudy, cold and drizzly. thats when we San Diegans go on vacation, lol.

so point being dont visit s.d in june.

[innov8]

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/8865/nassiarticlexe8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[goldcntry]

Probably means that us Sac forumers are slacking off the most at work by cruising the internet as these initial stats were mostly during yesterday's weekday work hours. :D


*GASP* How could you say that??? Oh wait! :uhh: That's usually the only time I'm able to view our forums here..

Oh well, your state tax dollars at work! :angel: or something like that...

[snfenoc]

City gives Aura developer more time
Sacramento Business Journal - 11:13 AM PDT Friday, March 30, 2007
by Michael Shaw Staff writer

The developer of the Aura condominium project in downtown Sacramento has made enough progress in financing the $175 million tower that city staff want to allow more time for him to pull the project together.

Craig Nassi of Denver-based BCN Development has not secured financing for Aura. Corus Bank is considering acting as principal lender, and Nassi also must obtain mezzanine financing and additional equity to bring the project together.

The property at 601 Capitol Mall, where the 39-story tower is planned, is owned by David S. Taylor Interests Inc. Taylor, who's building an office tower next door, said this week that Nassi will have until April 20 to exercise his option on the property, extending a previous deadline of March 31. Nassi must close on the property within a month of that deadline.

Nassi has until April 9 to secure financing to qualify for a $10 million city loan he requested in January. City staff members want the Sacramento City Council to vote next week to allow Nassi more time, until May 24, to resolve his finances.


If this article is correct, I guess today is the day.

[Phillip]

*GASP* How could you say that??? Oh wait! :uhh: That's usually the only time I'm able to view our forums here..

Oh well, your state tax dollars at work! :angel: or something like that...I think we've disproven the notion that government workers spend all day playing computer solitaire; at least some of them spend all day reading the Skyscraper forums! :)

current stats:

Sac-10
Bay-4
LA-9
SD-0

San Diego consistently shows the least interest in the forums. Interesting because there are quite a few towers under construction there. They're all going to be excess capactiy though and San Diego's condo and office markets would be better off without them. Sort of dampens the enthusiasm. Too bad they can't load a couple of those extra San Diego towers onto trailers and haul them up to Sacramento.

[TowerDistrict]

Too bad they can't load a couple of those extra San Diego towers onto trailers and haul them up to Sacramento.

we can ship them over a few bungalows and victorians in exchange.

[Phillip]

we can ship them over a few bungalows and victorians in exchange.LOL, perfect. San Diego is short in the Victorians department.

[innov8]

Looks like they hoisted a truck on top of 621CM and it's much smaller than
I was lead to believe, or the tower makes it look small in size. The truck has
a people bucket on the end of the crane and it appears that they are installing
a frame or brace that will help support the tower feature for when they
are ready to installed that.

Tonight I'll post some photos.

[bennywah]

LOL, perfect. San Diego is short in the Victorians department.

actually there are quite a few victorian style homes in the downtown, south park, golden hills, and bankers hill section of san diego.

Also it appears the downtown condo market here hasn't been overloaded as more condo towers have broken ground this year even in the bad market, certain areas of san diego are still hot. the office tower market here actually needs more towers since downtown has added so many residents, most of the jobs down here are actually in the out lying areas, as lil mini cities pop up around the county. You should visit and see all of the area's of San Diego before assuming certain conditions, and eww it rained today, lol end rant.

[goldcntry]

Looks like they hoisted a truck on top of 621CM and it's much smaller than
I was lead to believe, or the tower makes it look small in size. The truck has
a people bucket on the end of the crane and it appears that they are installing
a frame or brace that will help support the tower feature for when they
are ready to installed that.

Tonight I'll post some photos.

Oooooooo.... I missed that. I should give you my cell # so I can look out and up my window when they do things like that. I've got a pretty good view of 621 from my 7th floor digs here at 300 CM. AND I brought my camera today as well!:gaah: Ah well. I've got some pics of the CalSTRS progress in WSac that I got yesterday... I'll have to post them up tonight.

[innov8]

I've got some pics of the CalSTRS progress in WSac that I got yesterday... I'll have to post them up tonight.

Yeah, I also got a few of CalSTRS... post those later too :tup:

[Phillip]

actually there are quite a few victorian style homes in the downtown, south park, golden hills, and bankers hill section of san diego.

Also it appears the downtown condo market here hasn't been overloaded as more condo towers have broken ground this year even in the bad market, certain areas of san diego are still hot. the office tower market here actually needs more towers since downtown has added so many residents, most of the jobs down here are actually in the out lying areas, as lil mini cities pop up around the county. You should visit and see all of the area's of San Diego before assuming certain conditions, and eww it rained today, lol end rant.Hi, bennywah. I drove past Best Buy on Arden this afternon and thought of you. I lived in San Diego for a year, in Hillcrest, and I'm a fan. I miss the Chicken Pie Shop on El Cajon and breakfast at Brian's. (Yes, I've lived a lot of places, lol.)

My statements about downtown SD's office and condo markets were based on more than "assuming". I could post data, especially about condos, but we shouldn't tussle over San Diego on the Sacramento board, so I'll leave it at that.

[innov8]

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9223/621cm720070420fed5.jpg
More 621CM here >>>http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=86268&page=20

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/4629/calstrs120070420fxx5.jpg
More CalSTRS here >>> http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=116795&page=4

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8909/skylinewide20070416fkg8.jpg
Taken from Arco Arena.

[spoonman]

I think we've disproven the notion that government workers spend all day playing computer solitaire; at least some of them spend all day reading the Skyscraper forums! :)

current stats:

Sac-10
Bay-4
LA-9
SD-0

San Diego consistently shows the least interest in the forums. Interesting because there are quite a few towers under construction there. They're all going to be excess capactiy though and San Diego's condo and office markets would be better off without them. Sort of dampens the enthusiasm. Too bad they can't load a couple of those extra San Diego towers onto trailers and haul them up to Sacramento.

Say what you want about the condo market...even if there were too many units, a modest surplus could be absorbed within months. Housing shortages are a hallmark of San Diego.

The city's office market though actually NEEDS MORE buildings, rather than that it has too many. San Diego was tied for the lowest vacancy rates in the nation for a major metropolitan area at end of year in 2006.

[Brotha_Lynch]

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8909/skylinewide20070416fkg8.jpg
Taken from Arco Arena.


Beautiful picture, I wish the buildings were more close to each other though. It would look so much better. But hey, I guess more room for future projects.

[Sacto]

^ 621CM definately fills in some of the gap.

[urban_encounter]

Beautiful picture, I wish the buildings were more close to each other though. It would look so much better. But hey, I guess more room for future projects.


Wait until it fills in some over the next 10 years.......


It will look rather Chicagoesque (albeit on a much smaller scale....)

But that's only if The Towers are constructed and either Epic (doubtful) or the Capitol Grand :uhh: end up getting built on the North Side of DT. Sacramento would then have a kind of bookend effect (so to speak) with the taller towers at opposite ends of the skyline.. (Think John Hancock and Sears Tower in Chicago...)

In fact somebody already pointed that out and innov8 posted one of the city's proposed growth and height patterns for the CBD..

[bennywah]

alls good in the hood Phil

:banana:

thanks to a rare occurance of rain my sat has been ruined, no flag football today so im left being on the internet, lol.

[Phillip]

Say what you want about the condo market...even if there were too many units, a modest surplus could be absorbed within months. Housing shortages are a hallmark of San Diego.

The city's office market though actually NEEDS MORE buildings, rather than that it has too many. San Diego was tied for the lowest vacancy rates in the nation for a major metropolitan area at end of year in 2006.Let's discuss it over on the San Diego board.

[urban_encounter]

City's sale of downtown block to
kick-start Crocker project
2.5-acre lot, created from a condemned street,
should be open for bids soon
Sacramento Business Journal - April 20, 2007 Print Edition
by Mark Anderson and Michael ShawStaff writers


The first step in groundwork for the $80 million expansion
of the Crocker Art Museum should begin this month with
the condemnation of a curved city street.

The unnamed connector draws eastbound traffic off
Tower Bridge and feeds it to the base of N Street. By
taking that section of street and adding to it the two
triangular parcels of lawn on either side of it, the city
would create a city block between the Landmark Plaza
at 300 Capitol Mall and Interstate 5

[foxmtbr]

^ I can't wait for someone to buy that and propose something. :)

[urban_encounter]

Hundreds head to D.C. to push capital agenda
Chamber of Commerce will urge clean-energy expansion, health care, flood control funding.
By David Whitney - Bee Washington Bureau
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, April 22, 2007
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B1


WASHINGTON -- It starts with a party and ends with a gala dinner featuring political humorist Jimmy Tingle. But in between the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce will send more than 400 citizen lobbyists Monday and Tuesday to pound the pavement on a host of regional issues.

"This is our Super Bowl of advocacy," said John Lambeth, the chamber's board chairman, in a telephone interview.

This year's Capitol-to-Capitol lobbying fest will circulate position papers on 80 issues, but will emphasize four priorities.


Chief among them is continuing federal funding for flood control work in the Sacramento region and transportation projects.

But this year the chamber also will be championing the region's nomination for a Labor Department grant, through its Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Initiative, to promote expansion of clean-energy technology.

"We have over 60 companies in the clean energy field in the Sacramento area," said Michael Faust, the chamber's senior vice president of public policy who has organized the trip. "We are becoming the clean-energy hotspot of the world."

Faust said the chamber also will ask Congress to continue funding the State Children's Insurance Program by boosting funding by $60 billion. The program expires in September, and if it's not extended, as many as 24,000 low-income children in the Sacramento area could lose health insurance, Faust said.

"This is a first for us," he said. "We've never carried a health care issue back to the Capitol before."

The three-day trip to Washington has grown to become the largest such chamber event in the country. The chamber crowd this year, which Lambeth said will include 73 elected officials "from every county and most cities in the region," were scheduled to fly out of Sacramento on Saturday on four commercial flights and take over half of the 657-room Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

On Monday, the group spreads out over Capitol Hill and the headquarters of the federal bureaucracy, where Faust said there are more than 250 separate meetings scheduled.

Each member on the trip -- or their business -- pays their own way. The per-person rate this year was $2,855, $545 more for those not wanting to share a room.

Even with that high cost, Faust said they had a waiting list just three weeks after the trip was announced.

"Part of this trip is about coordination within the delegation," Lambeth said. "Nowhere else do 73 elected officials sit around and talk about regional issues and concerns."

There are 11 separate policy teams for the 2007 trip, with specialties ranging from air quality and arts and culture to health care, transportation and homeland security.

Among the issues that the groups will lobby for are a commitment of up to $200 million over 10 years from the Federal Aviation Administration for a terminal modernization program at the Sacramento International Airport; $14.7 million for a child development center at Beale Air Force Base; $20 million for a transportation center in downtown Sacramento; almost $40 million for a bus replacement and expansion program; $21 million for light-rail expansion; and $25 million for road projects.

The business end of the trip begins Monday morning with breakfast, where the featured speaker will be Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

"There is no other trip like this," Lambeth said

[newtosac]

Bella Bloom at 800 J Street is a flower shop...right now they specialize in weddings & events but when the store opens in late Aug they will be a full service florist.....designs with a modern and artistic edge...might possibly work there p/t as a floral designer...
website bellabloomflowers.com

[brandon12]

"$14.7 million for a child development center at Beale Air Force Base"
-WTF?! seems kinda...........EXPENSIVE.

[foxmtbr]

Bella Bloom at 800 J Street is a flower shop...right now they specialize in weddings & events but when the store opens in late Aug they will be a full service florist.....designs with a modern and artistic edge...might possibly work there p/t as a floral designer...
website bellabloomflowers.com

Cool! Welcome to the boards! :)

[Jay916]

I think we've disproven the notion that government workers spend all day playing computer solitaire; at least some of them spend all day reading the Skyscraper forums! :)

current stats:

Sac-10
Bay-4
LA-9
SD-0

San Diego consistently shows the least interest in the forums. Interesting because there are quite a few towers under construction there. They're all going to be excess capactiy though and San Diego's condo and office markets would be better off without them. Sort of dampens the enthusiasm. Too bad they can't load a couple of those extra San Diego towers onto trailers and haul them up to Sacramento.

check this out..Sacramento is no.3 in searching the word "skyscraperpage" behind Edmonton and Calgary.
http://www.google.com/trends?q=skyscraperpage&ctab=0&geo=all&date=all

[sacindiescene]

did the towers get cancelled?

[foxmtbr]

No! Of course they didn't! That's just a rumo(u)r going around by certain... pessimistic members on the forum. :P

I'd bet on an announcement of a new lender within the next month. :)

[Phillip]

Bella Bloom at 800 J Street is a flower shop...right now they specialize in weddings & events but when the store opens in late Aug they will be a full service florist.....designs with a modern and artistic edge...might possibly work there p/t as a floral designer...
website bellabloomflowers.comWhen sugit first announced the Bella Bloom lease here a couple weeks ago we speculated it might be a jewelry store because jewelry is what's sold at bellabloom.com. That was before we knew about bellabloomflowers.com.

Thanks for the info. We all wish Bella Bloom Flowers much success with their new store.

And speaking of 800J a few days ago I noticed an application for liquor license posted in the window of one of the restaurant spots. That's good news too. :cheers:

[Phillip]

check this out..Sacramento is no.3 in searching the word "skyscraperpage" behind Edmonton and Calgary.
http://www.google.com/trends?q=skyscraperpage&ctab=0&geo=all&date=allNeat! I never knew you could look up the most popular search terms combinations that way on Google. So do Edmonton and Calgary have a lot of government workers too?

[sugit]

I saw that as well this morning. It's for Table 260

http://www.table260.com/

[ozone]

Welcome sacindiescene & newtosac to the skyscraper-nerd forum and the SacTown!:D

[Majin]

Whats the current deadline with Aura?

[SacTownAndy]

Just wanted to give my quick 2 cents. I was in Sac this weekend and some buddies and I went out on Friday night. The new Badlands club at 20th and K is unbelievable. I was honestly blown away. Hands down one of the nicest clubs I've been to (including NYC and SF). They really spared no expense with this place. I haven't been to The Park yet, but this was by far the most "trendy" looking club I've been to in Sac. After leaving Badlands, we headed over to Faces and the same there as well. The new addition was better than I could have ever imagined it to be. Even if you're not gay, these places are DEFINITELY worth a check out (both seemed very non-gay-friendly). My friends and I kept saying "we're in Sacramento!" (because places like that we've only experienced in basically NYC). I just felt compelled to post this because I was so proud of Sacramento to have the vision to get places like this built. Props to the owners. In fact, I now want to bring some of my Denver friends with me next time I come home to "show off" Sacramento's gay scene.

My only complaint- on Friday night, Badlands had an $8 cover and Faces was $15. Just thought that was a little steep.

[BrianSac]

Just wanted to give my quick 2 cents. I was in Sac this weekend and some buddies and I went out on Friday night. The new Badlands club at 20th and K is unbelievable. I was honestly blown away. Hands down one of the nicest clubs I've been to (including NYC and SF). They really spared no expense with this place. I haven't been to The Park yet, but this was by far the most "trendy" looking club I've been to in Sac. After leaving Badlands, we headed over to Faces and the same there as well. The new addition was better than I could have ever imagined it to be. Even if you're not gay, these places are DEFINITELY worth a check out (both seemed very non-gay-friendly). My friends and I kept saying "we're in Sacramento!" (because places like that we've only experienced in basically NYC). I just felt compelled to post this because I was so proud of Sacramento to have the vision to get places like this built. Props to the owners. In fact, I now want to bring some of my Denver friends with me next time I come home to "show off" Sacramento's gay scene.

My only complaint- on Friday night, Badlands had an $8 cover and Faces was $15. Just thought that was a little steep.

Yep, that's what me and me friends thought about Badlands last week. It really is on the level of West Hollywood or NYC, Paris and London too.

Faces is cool too, but its not quite done. They are going to redo the older front half as well. We were there this Friday. They kicked off a summer series of live performances this weekend. Kristene W was there Friday. A 90's dance/pop recording star.

[otnemarcaS]

Just wanted to give my quick 2 cents. I was in Sac this weekend and some buddies and I went out on Friday night. The new Badlands club at 20th and K is unbelievable. I was honestly blown away. Hands down one of the nicest clubs I've been to (including NYC and SF). They really spared no expense with this place. I haven't been to The Park yet, but this was by far the most "trendy" looking club I've been to in Sac. After leaving Badlands, we headed over to Faces and the same there as well. The new addition was better than I could have ever imagined it to be. Even if you're not gay, these places are DEFINITELY worth a check out (both seemed very non-gay-friendly). My friends and I kept saying "we're in Sacramento!" (because places like that we've only experienced in basically NYC). I just felt compelled to post this because I was so proud of Sacramento to have the vision to get places like this built. Props to the owners. In fact, I now want to bring some of my Denver friends with me next time I come home to "show off" Sacramento's gay scene.

My only complaint- on Friday night, Badlands had an $8 cover and Faces was $15. Just thought that was a little steep.


Once you get to visit The Park Downtown, I think you'll also find that as trendy as one you'd find in SF, NYC, LA or Miami. Very scenic too. But if you thought the cover was steep at Faces, it's $20 at the Park on Fri and Sat. Yet, this place continues to be very packed and crowded every weekend I've been there.

Sidenote - there is a thread that discusses the Sacramento nightlife / entertainment scene (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=124686).

[urban_encounter]

<Edit>


This subject needs it's own thread