[innov8]

For things not exactly related to Sacramento development
or any other type of threads. Post odd stuff here when the mood
hits and discussion of an off-topic is needed.


Editorial: Dixon's horse race
Track proponents made key mistakes
Thursday, April 19, 2007

In the end, it doesn't matter in a horse race if the winner bested the field by many lengths or by a nose. In Solano County, the proposed horse track known as Dixon Downs lost Tuesday night. Had a few hundred residents changed their minds, or had a few hundred more proponents showed up at the polls, Dixon Downs would have passed.

After spending millions to buy the land and to produce the environmental documents (not to mention mount the half-million-dollar campaign), Dixon Downs advocates must be agonizing over having come relatively close.

In politics, losing by a little raises the temptation to try again. With Dixon Downs, that course is best left for considerable reflection. Prospects for another attempt for Dixon Downs appear slim.

As a page that has long opposed an expansion of all kinds of gambling, from the school lottery to Indian casinos, Dixon Downs didn't win our support. We see gambling as an enterprise that sucks life and money out of society rather than creating sustainable, economic value. And partly our opposition was because Dixon Downs simply blew it. Now that it has lost, those mistakes loom large.

Any time a controversial enterprise wants to come to a small town and dominate the scene, the proponents need to quickly make as many friends as possible and leave the clear impression that they respect the desires of the community. Dixon Downs promoters didn't do that. They played hardball for months with the nearby Campbells tomato paste operation, which worried about how all of its trucks and all those gamblers would co-exist on the roads. And they played coy about whether in a few years the racetrack would try to expand gambling to include slot machines (that was to be left to another, potential election). They overreached. And by the time they retreated, making changes to appease the cannery and curtail any expansion of gambling, it was too late.

If Dixon were some Podunk pit stop in Nevada, none of those mistakes would have mattered. But Dixon isn't one of those communities with a culture of desperation. This may not have been immediately evident to Magna Entertainment, the horse-track backers out of Canada. But someone here should have told them.

[downtownserg89]

whatever happened to thursday night market? i miss that. they always had really good chinese food. i'm kind of craving that right now.

[friedpez]

whatever happened to thursday night market? i miss that. they always had really good chinese food. i'm kind of craving that right now.

Haha! If you want good Chinese food, check out Hunan's in downtown Davis at 2nd & D. Cheap lunch specials and a ton of food!

[urban_encounter]

whatever happened to thursday night market? i miss that. they always had really good chinese food. i'm kind of craving that right now.


Thousands of people were turning out and it died as a result of it's own successs...

[downtownserg89]

Haha! If you want good Chinese food, check out Hunan's in downtown Davis at 2nd & D. Cheap lunch specials and a ton of food!

oh really? dude i so have to check that out. i love Davis!


Thousands of people were turning out and it died as a result of it's own successs...

ohhh. yeah it was very lively when i used to go back in like the late 90's. i sure miss those days.

[Brotha_Lynch]

oh really? dude i so have to check that out. i love Davis!

The most exciting place in Davis is usually your own house.

[urban_encounter]

The most exciting place in Davis is usually your own house.



:haha:

[otnemarcaS]

whatever happened to thursday night market? i miss that. they always had really good chinese food. i'm kind of craving that right now.

Thousands showed up but unfortunately there were just too many youngsters and they did not spend money.

It was a pretty fun even for the central city and maybe the city should look towards reviving it. However, I doubt that will happen as the city has been pretty successful as well with the summertime Friday night concerts at Caesar Chavez park.

[downtownserg89]

Thousands showed up but unfortunately there were just too many youngsters and they did not spend money.

It was a pretty fun even for the central city and maybe the city should look towards reviving it. However, I doubt that will happen as the city has been pretty successful as well with the summertime Friday night concerts at Caesar Chavez park.

yeah i remember it was always so eventful. there would be people dressed in their best clothes, wearing their most expensive high heels. i mean yeah concerts at caesar chavez are cool, but they don't have any good chinese food there!

[ozone]

Usually those street markets end up costing the city and the merchants more money than they bring in because of the cost of clean-upand security. Many merchants I've known in other towns hate street fairs because they don't really bring people in and they have to stay open to cater to lookiloos and clean up after the've gone home. I'd just rather have a healthy and functioning commerical district 24/7.

[mthq]

so uh.. what's going on today?

[foxmtbr]

^ Rain! :(

[Schmoe]

Sorry to stray from topic, but I just wanted to share that I'm in Denver this weekend, and this city kicks ass. Very walkable. Cool outdoor mall (16th Street), awesome urban neighborhoods (e.g., LoDo), and great night life! In fact, I'm heading out again in a minute. Later!

[TWAK]

this really isn't on topic, but it is something I always see on this forum. What exactly is urban and vibrant? Urban is dense housing right? So an apartment complex in natomas with a ton of people living there is considered urban or vibrant? What is difference?

[TowerDistrict]

A good read and some great thoughts on walkability and parking issues from two of Sacramento's best bloggers, Midtown Grid and Living In Urban Sac...

Beautiful Days in Midtown (http://midtowngrid.com/blog/2007/04/21/beautiful-days-in-midtown/)

[TowerDistrict]

this really isn't on topic, but it is something I always see on this forum. What exactly is urban and vibrant? Urban is dense housing right? So an apartment complex in natomas with a ton of people living there is considered urban or vibrant? What is difference?


one of the most significant differences in a suburban vs. urban enviroment, is the way land is zoned. In a suburban envornment, land use is determined by use - and most often, segregated by use. For example, this is where all the commercial space goes, this is where all the residential development goes, and over here the light industrial, etc.

In an urban environment, land use is determined by using form-based codes. Form based codes determine dwellings units per acre, height restrictions, setbacks, and parking units first - and does not segregate land by use.

This creates mixed use environments where you have multi-family housing next door to offices, next door to commercial spaces. Often times this promotes a constant and diverse crowd, as some people live there, while others work there - this is what's termed as a 24-hour population, meaning you don't get these dead zones at night, as seen in suburban office parks at night. "Vibrancy" is just a pleasant byproduct of a constant, 24-hour population.

[brandon12]

^you're very well spoken TD. Nice definition.

[TWAK]

there are areas in the burbs that seem to be 24 hours, but are not considered "urban" on this forum. Like for example, that place up in natomas with the wal mart and all that. It's busy all day long, and housing is close by...but it is still considered not urban or vibrant because of zoning? And same goes for arden, seemed always packed, a variety of people. The area that I am in, greenhaven/south pocket, has a strip mall in the middle of all the housing and it is active till later at night. That can be considered urban, or no?

[otnemarcaS]

Sorry to stray from topic, but I just wanted to share that I'm in Denver this weekend, and this city kicks ass. Very walkable. Cool outdoor mall (16th Street), awesome urban neighborhoods (e.g., LoDo), and great night life! In fact, I'm heading out again in a minute. Later!


Agree. I was in Denver last year for the first time ever to watch the Broncos/Raiders game at Invesco field with some friends. What a very vibrant city. Really awesome downtown area, especially LoDo as you mentioned. If only K street mall was even a quarter of the scene and vibe of Denver's 16th street mall, we'd be happy.

[downtownserg89]

^you're very well spoken TD. Nice definition.

i agree. someday TD will be the dude who speaks at one of those workshops like last week's.

[TowerDistrict]

there are areas in the burbs that seem to be 24 hours, but are not considered "urban" on this forum. Like for example, that place up in natomas with the wal mart and all that. It's busy all day long, and housing is close by...but it is still considered not urban or vibrant because of zoning? And same goes for arden, seemed always packed, a variety of people. The area that I am in, greenhaven/south pocket, has a strip mall in the middle of all the housing and it is active till later at night. That can be considered urban, or no?

"Vibrant" is a subjective term, and not at all limited to a city's core. You can definitely find shopping centers in Granite Bay or Greenhaven that are bustling with activity for 14 hours a day. But what sets those areas apart from the urban form are the large parking lots required to support the patrons, and the 6-8 lane wide streets they use to get there. Sure you have a select few that are close enough to walk to the stores, but you need only look at the orientation of the stores to figure how the majority access these shopping centers. Most stores are inward oriented with their backs to the streets and sidewalks (if there are sidewalks), while the store front faces the parking lot. In fact the term "shopping center" perfectly describes the suburban land use model, and its segregation by usage.

Suburban areas like Greenhaven and Arden are also very well established. When you have areas that are almost entirely built out, developments begin to abut each other. But that's a product of many years of growth, and not of urban design. In fact, when these different uses begin to run into each other, it's often the base of bitter disputes between neighborhoods, developers and businesses.

Sacramento's grid was created to be compact, dense, and walkable - "human scale". Short blocks and tight streets were a form based idea that allowed for easy pedestrian travel and efficient public transit. A product of a compact streetscape is dense, vertical development that often holds retail, office and residential all on the same block. These are just some examples of the model that people refer to as "urban".

[SacTownAndy]

Sorry to stray from topic, but I just wanted to share that I'm in Denver this weekend, and this city kicks ass. Very walkable. Cool outdoor mall (16th Street), awesome urban neighborhoods (e.g., LoDo), and great night life! In fact, I'm heading out again in a minute. Later!


I agree, Denver is an awesome city (people often describe it as a city that "should" be on the west coast in terms of attitude, politics, and development styles). After living here now for almost 2 years, I've been able to experience it first hand. One of the most dense, vibrant, "ahead of its time" cities I've been to. That being said, one thing that gets me excited is that I see what Sacramento is attempting to do now and it is taking the same steps that cities like Denver and San Diego did 10-15 years ago. If this momentum continues, it's not long before Sac is up in those ranks also. In fact, being here in a city that gets things done (Denver) makes me love Sacramento even more because I can visualize the potential of what it can and will become.

[neuhickman79]

Just out of curiousity, what is the murder total so far this year? I know there was a spurt in January. But, since then, it seems to have been fairly quiet. Anyone know?

[Web]

City, County and Metro

hmmmm where did those numbers go!

[greenmidtown]

Some friends of mine are organizing a Critical Mass ride this Friday at Fremont Park. I know many people have qualms with CM but knowing the organizers of this one I'm confident it will be fun and respectful. I'll be going. It starts at Fremont Park (16th and p st.) this Friday at 5pm. We'll be leaving at 5:30'ish. :righton:

[Trojan]

There's a high possibility that a very high luxury car dealership combo is going to open up in the Fulton Car Dealer area around May/June or this summer. Something not seen in Sacramento but in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Yay :-) I'm not supposed to tell since I heard this from someone else but I can't keep it secret.

[ozone]

Personally I could care less about a new car dealership -luxury or not :previous:

BTW this afternoon in Midtown, next to my apartment, a young woman was riding a bike and in the crosswalk when she was hit by f'ker in a SUV speeding down one of our many one-way high-speed corridors. I hope she's alright but I undertand she's pretty banged-up. The @#%$&$ fled the scene on foot leaving his SUV behind. As my roommate told it the guy didn't express one ounce of concern for the victim and was actually mad at her for riding a bike in the first place. Welcome to Sacramento -home of the self-entitled as'hole suburbanite.

[downtownserg89]

oh that is ridiculous! poor lady, i hope she's alright. and i hope mister wreckless driver suffers!

[brandon12]

There's a high possibility that a very high luxury car dealership combo is going to open up in the Fulton Car Dealer area around May/June or this summer. Something not seen in Sacramento but in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Yay :-) I'm not supposed to tell since I heard this from someone else but I can't keep it secret.

I think it's cool.

[brandon12]

^I love cars. but only the ones that run on good ol' gasoline. None of these battery-operated pieces of crap.
Ozone's story sounds horrible, and if true, is a brutal crime. But I think hit and runs are far less common than he would like us to believe.

One thing I do see A LOT of is cyclists running stop signs through midtown.

[brandon12]

a young woman was riding a bike and in the crosswalk when she was hit by f'ker in a SUV speeding down one of our many one-way high-speed corridors.

question: are cyclists supposed to be riding their bikes in the crosswalk? If you're on a bike, I thought you were supposed to be obeying the traffic laws as if you were in a car. I always thought that if you use a crosswalk, you're supposed to get off the bike and walk it. You're not even supposed to be riding your bike on the sidewalks are you? I thought crosswalks were just "extensions" of the sidewalk that cross the street...

[innov8]

There's a high possibility that a very high luxury car dealership combo is going to open up in the Fulton Car Dealer area around May/June or this summer. Something not seen in Sacramento but in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Yay :-) I'm not supposed to tell since I heard this from someone else but I can't keep it secret.


I personally think that's great to hear... more taxs for the city and more
sweet rides rolling around town :cheers:

[ozone]

^I love cars. but only the ones that run on good ol' gasoline. None of these battery-operated pieces of crap.
Ozone's story sounds horrible, and if true, is a brutal crime. But I think hit and runs are far less common than he would like us to believe.

One thing I do see A LOT of is cyclists running stop signs through midtown.

I hope you are joking about the gas only thing because personally think is immoral to send people off to the killing fields and deplete our national funds so I can get cheap gas when there are better ways to do things.

And I never said that hit-and-runs were that common. But I will say that there are tons of near misses. Yes cyclists do run stop signs and that's a problem and they should be ticketed. Humm.. what would hurt more if it hit you..a bike or a SUV. Give me a break about the woes of drivers. If you think it's not so bad then I think you must not walk or ride a bike as much I do. Just other day a guy stoped his car and yelled obscenities at me for daring to cross at a crosswalk and god forbid slow him down.

I don't hate cars and I like to drive but I realize that the roads are legally and historically not just for cars but I bet most people don't understand that. OK so I'm worked up over this..but damnit so many Americans are too complacent about everything unless it personally involves them. I don't know how it went down so I don't if she was crossing the street or on the side and was thrown into the crosswalk. And just for anyone's information bikes can ride on some of the sidewalks around town and there are usually signs that indicate that. For the most part cyclist use sidewalks because drivers are as'holes and don't see them and they don't want to get hit. Do you blame them? End of Rant.


BTW the cops arrested the as'hole who came back to the crime scene a couple of hours later to retrieve his stupid SUV thinking that everyone would be gone and the guy in an upstairs office called 911. I was talking to the cops just now and they said the victim is going to be OK. Everyone I've talked to tonight on my block about this incident said that the one-ways just encourage too high of speeds.

Sorry guys I do get emotional at times and I don't mean to make it personal..it's just my nature.

[brandon12]

I'm glad the person will be ok. And I'm glad the idiot was caught. what a moron.

And I personally can't see myself owning a battery car. But that's just my opinion.

[aufbau]

^I'm glad the lady is okay, what a terrible story, as I've had my share of near misses (on foot) and a good friend nearly killed in that kind of hit-and run-bike-versus-big car scenario.

I hope she sues him back to the stone age.

[ozone]

On a lighter note…..
I was out earlier this evening walking from my house in Midtown to the Capitol Park and down the Capitol Mall. It was beautiful out and the light was just right. The glass on the new US Bank Tower already looks very cool even though it’s only up a couple floors and the Federal Building across the street is completely re-glassed. I can’t wait until all the new projects on CM are finished. I noticed that there were very few people on the street -compared to Midtown.

I was thinking that CM is Sacramento’s Champs Elysées and something needs to be done to improve the street. There are really two parts to the Capitol Mall. Between 7th and 10th totally belongs to the capitol district and between 3rd and 7th is Sacramento’s financial district. I think the mall should be re-designed differently in each part.

The best visual on the whole street is of the State Capitol.. BUT the best view of the capitol is in the middle of the grassy medium so that no one on foot gets the best view. If they could reduce the two traffic lanes, east of 7th Street, to one and add sidewalks, benches and trees along the edge of the central medium so that people could walk up the center of the mall towards the capitol (like the Mall in DC) then that would make it a dramatic experience on foot. There are 3 grassy nooks outside of the state buildings and these should be the place for new memorials and monuments and not Capitol Park. That would also make the area more interesting.

The traffic circle in front of the Capitol could be revamped and the parking removed -all those parked cars really spoil the whole scene. It should have more dramatic fountain that is up-lighted, wider sidewalks and benches and the twin buildings have special lighting. It could turn the circle into a real civic gathering place. A traffic lane should remain around the circle to allow access to 10th Street but since it would be narrow the traffic would move at a slow pace and it could be closed off for special events. Maybe a low stage that mimics the square planter across the street could be added for speakers. That way more events/protests/rallies could be in the circle and off the lawn in front of the capitol which can get pretty torn-up and look ratty.

The area west of 7th Street is mostly commercial so maybe cars should be allowed to park on the street. That would generate more activity at the street level. They could do this by reducing the central medium between 3rd and 7th and adding another line of trees along the side of the street, in-between the parking spaces, so that cars wouldn’t be that visible.

I was also thinking that any high-end shops would be best on the Capitol Mall and not in the very middle-class DP or K Street. There are plenty of spaces on the ground floor of the office buildings for high-end shops. I was even thinking that if the Aura isn’t built (I know we all would prefer a high-rise on the site but IF that isn’t possible right now) then why couldn’t a Nordstrom go in the space instead? Nordstrom could hire a star archtect to give the store a stunning design and make it a real landmark on the mall. It could have a nice couryard fronting CM with a sidewalk cafe. If the store had a really awesome design it would attract people who would normally shop in the burbs just because the experience would be so special.

Anyway those are some of thoughts about CM tonight.

[BrianSac]

:previous:

I like your ideas!

It really would put more pedestrians on the mall. I especially like the idea of putting statues on the mall, improving the fountain, and putting benches and walkways down the mall.

However, I dont like the idea of putting trees down the middle of the mall between 3rd and 7th. I think they would block views of the capitol.

[greenmidtown]

did anybody see a crowd of bicyclists riding through downtown and midtown today? we had critical mass today and though it was small it was a decent turn-out by sac standards. about 40 bicyclists sharing the roads...we only took one lane so drivers were barely inconvenienced. it was right after rush-hour so it was basically midtowners reclaiming their roads from the mostly gone suburbanites. we had a blast.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2093/img1322bn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8691/img1337qw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5026/img1333dm7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ozone]

:previous:

I like your ideas!

It really would put more pedestrians on the mall. I especially like the idea of putting statues on the mall, improving the fountain, and putting benches and walkways down the mall.

However, I dont like the idea of putting trees down the middle of the mall between 3rd and 7th. I think they would block views of the capitol.

Thanks. I'm a landscape designer so I'm naturally interested in such things.

I was thinking that if the trees were placed on the outer edge of walkway-basically where the left lanes are now, then it really wouldn't block the view of the capitol. Plus I was only suggesting a central walk between 7th and 10th not 3rd and 7th and even that would still have a grassy center between the side-walks. There are lots of narrow growing trees but I was thinking something like alternating palms and orange trees (which can be kept narrow by shearing) would be very California looking and after all since this is California's capitol I think it should look like it belongs in this state. This two-block section would be kind of like a western extention of Capitol Park and a California version of the Mall in DC.

West of 7th I'm suggesting that there not be a central walk and in fact the medium be narrowed even more and trees added to mini bulb-outs in-between the parking spaces between the existing sidewalks and road. Other obvious things like new ornamental street and traffic lights, brick crosswalks from all four corners at each intersection need to be included.

[BrianSac]

Thanks.
I was thinking that if the trees were placed on the outer edge of walkway-basically where the left lanes are now, then it would really wouldn't block the veiw of the capitol. Plus I was only suggesting a central walk between 7th and 10th not 3rd and 7th and even that would still have a grassy center between the side-walks. There are lots of narrow growing trees but I was thinking something like alternating palms and orange trees (which can be kept narrow by shearing) would be very California looking and after all since this is California's capitol I think it should look like it belongs in this state. This two-block section would be kind of like a western extention of Capitol Park and kinda like a California version of the Mall in DC.

My idea is that on one half of the mall the cars get the best view and closer you get to the capitol the pedestrians get the best view. I'm a landscape designer so I'm naturally interested in such things.

Now you are talking that sounds good.

As long as you keep the Citrus trees short, you know that they would be the only green trees in the Winter, too. Maybe crepe myrtles too, keep them small or camellia trees/bushess, they keep their flowers for a long time, or japanese maples, again keep them stunted and small some how.

[ozone]

Now you are talking that sounds good.

As long as you keep the Citrus trees short, you know that they would be the only green trees in the Winter, too. Maybe crepe myrtles too, keep them small or camellia trees/bushess, they keep their flowers for a long time, or japanese maples, again keep them stunted and small some how.

Yeah orange trees are evergreens so they would be green year-round and in winter when they're full of oranges it would make a nice sight looking down towards the capitol. There are many varieties of oranges and most are not very tall anyway and most can be sheared to any shape or size you want. I think a simple formal design would work best there.

[otnemarcaS]

I personally think that's great to hear... more taxs for the city and more
sweet rides rolling around town :cheers:

Isn't Fulton Avenue car row part of the county and not within Sacramento city limits? So, the City of Sacramento would not really benefit from taxes associated with the car dealership.

[innov8]

Isn't Fulton Avenue car row part of the county and not within Sacramento city limits? So, the City of Sacramento would not really benefit from taxes associated with the car dealership.


I guess your right... so the County of Sacramento would get the taxes.
Well, it better than Roseville or Placer County taking more business from the
County like what has been happening with the Roseville Galleria and the Auto Mall.

[downtownserg89]

did anybody see a crowd of bicyclists riding through downtown and midtown today? we had critical mass today and though it was small it was a decent turn-out by sac standards. about 40 bicyclists sharing the roads...we only took one lane so drivers were barely inconvenienced. it was right after rush-hour so it was basically midtowners reclaiming their roads from the mostly gone suburbanites. we had a blast.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2093/img1322bn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/8691/img1337qw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5026/img1333dm7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

oh damn, i wish i would've known about this sooner. i would've been right there, along with the other bicyclists, wearing my denim cut offs like every other midtown bicyclist. :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Web]

Yeah orange trees are evergreens so they would be green year-round and in winter when they're full of oranges it would make a nice sight looking down towards the capitol. There are many varieties of oranges and most are not very tall anyway and most can be sheared to any shape or size you want. I think a simple formal design would work best there.

Aren't there Orange trees all along CM? I do know there are some right in front of 621....I know they are scattered on P and O streets also

[ozone]

As far as I know the only dominate trees on Capitol Mall are Little-leaf Linden. They're certianly not all along the mall and if they do exist they obviously do not have strong architectural presence. Maybe you are thinking of Capitol Park?

[sugit]

In case some of you haven't clicked on the link Ozone has in his signature, I thought I would post this. From what I see so far, I think this would totally rock.

I think Sacramento needs more big time museums and exploratoriums, and I think the old PG&E is a perfect location. Sounds like a lot money is going to be need to raised for this though.

Ozone - Anymore info you might have?
_________________________________________________________________
SMASHP (http://sacscimuseum.blogspot.com/)
Sacramento Museum of Art, Science, and Human Perception

Modeled on San Francisco’s highly respected and hugely popular Exploratorium. SMASHp will be a publicly-owned science museum located in the old PG&E Building on the Sacramento River. SMASHp may be inspired by the Explortorium but it's own exhibits will be modeled on science museums from around the world. And many of the exhibits will be created by visual and performing artists as well as scientists and educators thus creating an unique environment that will stimulate the senses and appeal to people who are not normally turn-on by science.

The former Pacific Gas and Electric Co. building, next to the new Jibboom Street Park, is currently vacant and the city is looking for someone to rehabilitate of the historic building for commercial and/or community use. We propose transforming it into a unique 21st-century science museum. The building’s Renaissance/Baroque ornamentation provides a museum-like quality and in some ways recalls the Palace of Fine Art Building in San Francisco which houses the Exploratorium.

The historic building made of reinforced concrete has a large open interior space that is ideal for a wide variety of scientific exhibits. Natural light will filter through skylights and windows to illuminate the interior during the day and the building will be dramatically lit at night.

The museum's entrance will be through the neo-classical portal on the west side (riverfront) of the PG&E building. The western orientation will increase activity along riverfront and as the Railyards Project Area is developed the wisdom of this orientation will be further reinforced.

A small but architecturally striking pavilion will be constructed northwest of the museum's entrance and will house the museum’s store and café which will have outside terraced where visitors will be able to dine alfresco while overlooking the Sacramento River.

Several specially landscaped spaces throughout the site will include ‘smart art’ pieces.

The area north of the museum will be reserved for a future museum tower –a mix-use residential high-rise, however, until that time the site will be used for museum parking.

The Sacramento Museum of Art, Science and Human Perception is destined to be the one of Sacramento’s most popular tourist destinations- attracting many people to the area each year and energizing the existing Sacramento River Parkway trail that connects Old Sacramento to Discovery Park and helping to make the Sacramento Riverfront truly world-class.

How will SMASHp be financed?
Corporate Donors
Public Utility
City and County of Sacramento
University of California
State and Federal

http://bp1.blogger.com/_gutbwDOC-Mw/RjVCbGweJgI/AAAAAAAAADI/dVhRPxgSy3w/s400/SMAHp+Plan.JPG

[slaiguy]

Sounds pretty cool, would be a nice complement to the rail yards project and also be a cool place to go along the river there.

[Schmoe]

I always thought that building should be renovated into a sweet, hip club called "The Power Plant."

[innov8]

That's great to hear about The Sacramento Museum of Art, Science and
Human Perception plan. I like the name of the museum... calling it SMASHp
seems like a forced cool name to me. Also, the old PG&E building is not very big so
wonder how much they will actually have to see and do?

[ozone]

That's great to hear about The Sacramento Museum of Art, Science and
Human Perception plan. I like the name of the museum... calling it SMASHp
seems like a forced cool name to me. Also, the old PG&E building is not very big so
wonder how much they will actually have to see and do?

You bring up some good points. Obviously this is a very preliminary concept.
You're right to some degree about the size of the old PG&E building but the idea is that since there is plenty of room to expand if needed it would become part of the final design.

The name was actually was taken from the Exploratorium's self-description and as you said was 'forced' on purpose.

[innov8]

So is the 'p' silent in SMASHp, or is it pronounced smash-pee?

[Brotha_Lynch]

So is the 'p' silent in SMASHp, or is it pronounced smash-pee?

LOL that's epic

[ozone]

;) That's funny. If you think the 'p' should be silent then for you it is. Or maybe it would be a small or very soft "p"?
I pronounce it smash-pee.

[econgrad]

I hope you are joking about the gas only thing because personally think is immoral to send people off to the killing fields and deplete our national funds so I can get cheap gas when there are better ways to do things.

And I never said that hit-and-runs were that common. But I will say that there are tons of near misses. Yes cyclists do run stop signs and that's a problem and they should be ticketed. Humm.. what would hurt more if it hit you..a bike or a SUV. Give me a break about the woes of drivers. If you think it's not so bad then I think you must not walk or ride a bike as much I do. Just other day a guy stoped his car and yelled obscenities at me for daring to cross at a crosswalk and god forbid slow him down.

I don't hate cars and I like to drive but I realize that the roads are legally and historically not just for cars but I bet most people don't understand that. OK so I'm worked up over this..but damnit so many Americans are too complacent about everything unless it personally involves them. I don't know how it went down so I don't if she was crossing the street or on the side and was thrown into the crosswalk. And just for anyone's information bikes can ride on some of the sidewalks around town and there are usually signs that indicate that. For the most part cyclist use sidewalks because drivers are as'holes and don't see them and they don't want to get hit. Do you blame them? End of Rant.


BTW the cops arrested the as'hole who came back to the crime scene a couple of hours later to retrieve his stupid SUV thinking that everyone would be gone and the guy in an upstairs office called 911. I was talking to the cops just now and they said the victim is going to be OK. Everyone I've talked to tonight on my block about this incident said that the one-ways just encourage too high of speeds.

Sorry guys I do get emotional at times and I don't mean to make it personal..it's just my nature.


Actually, Gas is now healthier than Ethanol....read the article...

Ethanol Vehicles Pose A Significant Risk To Human Health, Study Finds

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=68312

Also, I side with you: Bikes should have the right of way on the streets, as well as people. It is really annoying when I cross in midtown and you have to stop and wait for cars to fly by. Inconsiderates! But SUV's do not make people inconsiderate....

Also, the name SMASHp sucks...I hope they think of something better.

[ozone]

:previous: Ethanol? Is that our only option..I don't think so. Bob I know you are a sponge but I bet if you try real hard you can think of something better than either gasoline or ethanol. Are SUV owners less considerate? Maybe not. I will say that I see a lot of people driving big vehicles alone and wonder what is going on. I should not make blanket statements about anyone..but there does seem to be a real lack in this country of 'thinking' and 'acting' for the greater good -other than themselves.

If you think the name sucks then suggest something better. I think that if you are going to say something sucks then you should at least suggest an alternative. But the name is not as important as the concept....and you may think that sucks too and you're intitled to your opinion.

[econgrad]

:previous:

Yes, SMASHp in my opinion sucks. It is not my job to think of another name. I do not work there. As far as the SUV VS Small car thing, not everyone believes we are doing harm to the enviroment. I dont believe the hype about Global Warming, and I get sick of people who believe in something that has so little evidence and then forcing their views upon others. Just because an idiot runs down a lady on a bike does not require another speech about how bad SUV's are, when many believe that there is no harm done by our cars. I dont feel like having a debate about this on this forum either, so this is the last response for you. Thanks! :cheers:

PS:
Spongebob rules! Why the hate on the Bob?
:jester:

[neuhickman79]

:previous:

Yes, SMASHp in my opinion sucks. It is not my job to think of another name. I do not work there. As far as the SUV VS Small car thing, not everyone believes we are doing harm to the enviroment. I dont believe the hype about Global Warming, and I get sick of people who believe in something that has so little evidence and then forcing their views upon others. Just because an idiot runs down a lady on a bike does not require another speech about how bad SUV's are, when many believe that there is no harm done by our cars. I dont feel like having a debate about this on this forum either, so this is the last response for you. Thanks! :cheers:

PS:
Spongebob rules! Why the hate on the Bob?
:jester:

Interesting that you think that global warming is hype! How old are you again? Perhaps if you were younger and had more time to live on this planet, you wouldn't be thinking that way. Everyone I know that is older than 40 seems to think we can just keep going on our merry way and keep living like we are and the world will stay the same. Amazing how naive some people can be!!! I just read an article on News10.com yesterday that said the polar ice caps are melting at 3x the rate they originally thought. If you thought about the process of global warming and how simple it is you would get it. I'm no scientist. But, common sense tells me that if you heat things up on earth, things are going to change dramatically. If the polar ice caps melt, we're in for some BIG problems! What I'm trying to say is....GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL!!! Denying it is like denying gravity!

[econgrad]

:previous:
OK, had to respond since you are making this personal. I am a scientist and I have read and read and read more than you even know. Please dont throw news stories at me, please study facts, and with global warming you will not find any, just theories and hype..believe me I used to believe it too. When you begin to study about it, its all theory and its all about money and people keeping their jobs. Here are a few things to look up: The Earth has been incredibly warmer than it is now, much warmer before we were here. It will be much warmer again if we were here or not. All the computer models that most of the global warming info is coming from is based on weather patterns and atmospheric data only collected in the past 40 to 50 years. Geologists prove time and time again that there has been ice ages (I was too young, but you can look up the big hype in the 70's was that there was going to be an ice age coming) and there has been warm ages. This is all natural, and will happen, SUV's or not, Pollution or not.

http//video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4520665474899458831

After watching this maybe you can look up how all the planets in the solar system are heating up as well. Please do not tell me this is due to our SUV's.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070228-mars-warming.html


Here's more, just think for yourself and look at the other sides. I dont think we should muck this forum up with a global warming debate. You may be right or you may be wrong. Either way I will never insult you or anyone personally, but I will continue to drive my SUV's to and from Tahoe and SF and Santa Cruz and everywhere else and I promise I wont run over any bikers, since I am one as well.

http://www.friendsofscience.org/index.php?ide=4

http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/temperature/
This is a collection of global temperatures collected by NASA that shows a general cooling trend especially around the polar ice caps. So assuming the earth is warming what could be causing it, the sun. Look at this graph also put out by NASA.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientists_opposing_the_mainstream_scientific_assessment_of_global_warming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78705J6fvUc

http://www.ourcivilisation.com/aginatur/moregw.htm

http://newsbusters.org/node/10604

http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm
the signatures of over 17,000 scientists who disagree with the theory of man made global warming (check out the report on this site it does an excellent job of disproving global warming). You may have also seen reports about ice cores supposedly proving global warming, this is not true. Here is the truth about ice cores
http://www.john-daly.com/zjiceco2.htm

http://www.worldclimatereport.com/

[greenmidtown]

:previous: the global warming debate needs to go somewhere else. I'm as passionate as you guys about this but nobody is going to change anyones mind on an internet forum. it's futile. but if you insist please open a seperate thread on 'global warming chit-chat.'

[ltsmotorsport]

Or better, move it to PM.

[neuhickman79]

Sorry to get personal econ...I feel very strongly about global warming. But, I will look at the info you provided.

[ozone]

In 2005, Scientific American reported: “Scientific American took a sample of 30 of the 1,400 signatories (of the Oregon Petition Project) claiming to hold a Ph.D. in a climate-related science. Of the 26 we were able to identify in various databases, 11 said they still agreed with the petition —- one was an active climate researcher, two others had relevant expertise, and eight signed based on an informal evaluation. Six said they would not sign the petition today, three did not remember any such petition, one had died, and five did not answer repeated messages. Crudely extrapolating, the petition supporters include a core of about 200 climate researchers – a respectable number, though rather a small fraction of the climatological community."

The 'Friends of Science' is an oil-industry-funded group set up to deny the science of climate change and has embarrassed itself by trying to overstate its connections to the University of Calgary.

NewsBusters.org -Exposing Liberal Media Bias, like Fox news and the 700 Club is a great source of completely unbiased/non-agended/unembedded god's honest truth -NOT.

Basically most of these sources are about descrediting anything/anyone which does not support a conservative political agenda for businesses and industries that do not like regulations that limit their ability to pollute or poison us or our environment. What the majority of scientists call sound science, they call junk science. And what they call 'sound science', the majority of scientists usually call junk science. Nice try Sponge Bob.

Back on topic? I was down at the Capitol tonight and noticed how much more visible the new US Bank tower is from the Capitol than any other skyscrapers. I think the crown will make a big difference. It makes it just "neck craning" height.

[econgrad]

Or better, move it to PM.

Your right, my bad.

[urban_encounter]

Palladio has space for 16 silver screens
By Bob Shallit - Bee Columnist
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D1


Execs at Elliott Homes are naming only one of the anchor tenants at the outdoor Palladio at Broadstone lifestyle center they're planning in Folsom.

It's Cinema West, a Petaluma-based company putting in a 16-screen theater in the project's first phase.

But we've obtained a tentative list of other tenants for the center, to be built along East Bidwell Street between Broadstone Parkway and Iron Point Road.

Elliott's "working lease plan" lists Whole Foods as one likely anchor, taking a 45,000-square-foot site. Others listed as either having pending leases or letters of intent include bookseller Barnes & Noble; Coldwater Creek; and national restaurateurs PF Chang's, Ruth's Chris Steak House and Devon Seafood Grill.

Elliott's Russ Davis says he can't comment on any possible tenants except for Cinema West, which he says is making its first appearance in the Sacramento area.

As for other likely tenants, "We have confidentiality (agreements) with tenants that have signed letters of intent ... so I can't comment on how many are real and how many are just on a wish list."

Davis does say the project, adjacent to a planned Kaiser medical campus, is moving ahead. Grading is set to begin this summer and paving will be complete by year's end.

"We'll see buildings under construction next year," he says.

The first phase of the 500,000-square-foot project is strictly retail. A second phase could include a hotel or condos, he says.

[SacTownAndy]

:previous: I wonder how this will impact that new cineplex in El Dorado Hills. Has anyone been there yet? (it opened right after I moved to Colorado). Also, there are the theaters what like 2 miles down Iron Point? And then the plans to raze the drive-in and replace it with a cineplex at 50/Bradshaw.

[ozone]

Are they planning to raze the drive-in on Bradshaw? This is the first I've heard about it. Would that be in Sac Co. or Rancho? Just how movies screens can we absorb? Maybe someone should start thinking of other ways to entertain us?

[SacTownAndy]

^ Yeah, there have been several stories about it in the biz journal now for about two years or so. A developer has plans to raze the Bradshaw drive-in and replace it with, from what I remember, a huge cineplex ala the Spectrum in Irvine. I believe this was supposed to have happened already though so I'm not sure what the current status is.

[ozone]

Well the drive-in screens are still standing.

[ltsmotorsport]

Yeah, it'll be gone, but who knows exactly when. They've been planning to tear it down for years now. I think the developer also wants to put in a Best Buy there. Oh, and that would be in the county, and Sacramento's sphere of influence.

And I really can't see why Folsom needs another multiplex theater. The one off Folsom Blvd is still nice, and like Andy said, there's that huge new one in EDH.

I went the one in EDH once, right after it opened. It's a nice place, but it still feels weird that it was in EDH.

[neuhickman79]

From what I know about the 50/Bradshaw Drive-In, it was originally supposed to be a 26-screen movie theater. They even had a COMING SOON sign at another Century. This was maybe 5 or 10 years ago. The last I heard, it was going to be a shopping complex with some office and possibly some residential. I'll have to look it up, now. The site is in Sacramento County. South of Folsom and North of Old Placerville Rd, Rancho Cordova begins at Bradshaw.

[neuhickman79]

Found some stuff:

Coming up: Big retail, 20 screens
Sacramento Business Journal - September 13, 2002
by Mark Anderson
Staff Writer


Century Theatres Inc. is planning a massive double feature — movies and retail — in a large new center at Highway 50 and Bradshaw Road.

Century wants to develop Bradshaw Landing, a 20-screen movie complex and retail center at Highway 50 and Bradshaw Road. It would mean tearing down one of the area's last two drive-ins, Century's Sacramento 6, perhaps as soon as next spring.

The center would include a big-box store, four large restaurants, a bookstore and other retailers, plus a modern movie theater with stadium seating. Plans call for 360,000 square feet of new buildings on 40 acres.

The company won't say what the development will cost. When it proposed a smaller center at the same site five years ago, it was said to be a $30 million project. It delayed that project because of market conditions, nearby construction and other ventures.

"The drive-in is not the highest and best use for that land. It is a freeway location right off an offramp. This center is a great project, and it is finally moving," said Paul Hahn, economic development director for Sacramento County. "It will be a good catalyst for redevelopment of Bradshaw Road and Folsom Boulevard."

The center will also produce sales tax for the county, Hahn said. "And we need it."

Main hurdle is probably traffic: "We are still negotiating with a number of tenants and we won't know what we will be building until we know the tenant mix," said Mike Plymesser, head of development with San Rafael-based Century Theatres.

The development requires an environmental report, and that work is being done now. The notice of preparation was made public last month, with comments due by the end of this month. The full environmental document could be started in a couple of months and then could take four to six months to get approvals.

The main issues facing the project likely will have to do with traffic.

The drive-in doesn't create any traffic during the day, and its showtimes are after dark — when most commute traffic is long gone. When Bradshaw Landing is built, the theaters will run films all day long, and there will be a mix of other businesses.

There is now a traffic signal at Oates Drive and Bradshaw, which has double left-turn lanes into the area. What happens at that intersection will depend on the findings of a traffic survey being performed by the county, said Rajiv Parikh, senior vice president of development for Syufy Enterprises Inc., the San Rafael-based company that develops theaters operated by Century Theatres, which is a Syufy subsidiary.

A light-rail station also serves the site.

The new plans are up substantially from the 200,000-square-foot development on 30 acres that Century proposed in 1997. That plan envisioned 25 screens and 110,000 square feet of retail.

The theater company has been buying land around the drive-in and massaging the site plan for five years, which has allowed the state Franchise Tax Board time to complete its 1 million-square-foot office next door.

Films would flicker through April: Bradshaw Landing is just outside the proposed city limit of Rancho Cordova, but it will serve the area with entertainment, retail, and chances for upscale restaurants "that we definitely need in the area," said Curt Haven, executive director of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce.

"I've been part of that since the beginning, working with Syufy," he said. "We are 100 percent behind the project. It is nothing but positives."

Century plans to operate the drive-in through April, when the company hopes to have the permits to begin construction of Bradshaw Landing. Total construction should take just over a year, Parikh said.

Century operates about half of the region's movie screens, and should gain market share as it replaces its Sacramento 6 drive-in with the 20 screens, and swaps out its nine-screen Century Cinedome at Interstate 80 and Greenback Lane with a new 16-screen theater there.

Work on the latter is under way. The foundation was poured during the last month and the walls were being raised this week. The new Century Theatre at Greenback will open in March, and the old theater, which is still showing films, will be demolished when the new theater opens. The old theater site will be used for parking.

Founded in 1941 by Ray Syufy, the company has grown from a single movie theater in Vallejo to 850 screens in 11 states. The company plans to add 250 screens over the next three years.

Century's new theaters all feature stadium seating, rocking seats, THX sound systems and digital sound.

Cycling up: Century's two largest local competitors, Regal Cinemas and United Artists Theatres, merged earlier this year after going through separate bankruptcy reorganizations over the past four years.

"You had a variety of the larger players in the industry reorganize after a long refurbishment cycle," said Chris Dixon, entertainment analyst with UBS PaineWebber in New York. The expense of building newer and modern theaters saddled some large companies with debt they couldn't service while waiting for the market to absorb all the new capacity.

A couple of strong movie years and more efficient operations have turned the corner for many of the larger companies, Dixon said, adding that Syufy has "done a tremendous job," as have other regional independent movie operators.

"The industry has gone through its growing pains and it has reorganized itself," Plymesser said. "We never had any problems. We've always been profitable, even through the hard times."

Built in the mid-1970s, Sacramento 6 drive-in is one of the top three performing drive-ins Century operates. The company operates seven multi-screen drive-ins, with locations in San Jose, two in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Sparks, Nev., and one in Concord.

It ran the 49er drive-in on Marysville Boulevard off Interstate 80 until closing it just over two years ago.

"We'd love to figure out what to do there," Plymesser said of the Marysville Boulevard location. For now, the company is letting the drive-in lie fallow, serving that area with its theaters on Greenback Lane and conceding business to the Regal Natomas Marketplace at Truxel Road and Interstate 80.

The only other drive-in in Greater Sacramento is the Sunrise on Greenback Lane east of Sunrise, although there's also a drive-in in Marysville.

"As good as a project as this is, I'm going to miss the Sacramento 6 drive-in," Hahn said. "I actually go to that drive-in."

Century most likely will phase out the rest of its drive-in theaters over the next five years, Plymesser said.

"A lot of people are nostalgic about drive-ins," he said, "but they are all slower than they used to be."



It's showtime in capital for Syufy's development arm
SyWest buying land, making plans for shopping centers, offices, housing
Sacramento Business Journal - April 7, 2006
by Kelly Johnson
Staff Writer


SyWest Development isn't well known like its parent company, but that will likely change.

The Bay Area developer is one of several subsidiaries of Syufy Enterprises, owner of the Century Theatres chain. SyWest has maintained a low profile, but the retail development industry is beginning to take notice as the developer buys land and details major projects, primarily shopping centers but also industrial, office and attached housing.

SyWest is working on its first three projects in Greater Sacramento -- in Sacramento, Roseville and Elk Grove. They're among more than a dozen SyWest is planning in California. The developer also is pursuing projects in Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Texas.

Bill Vierra, SyWest president and chief operating officer, likes Sacramento for its long-term stability and growth, and anticipates building more projects here.

Sacramento would allow SyWest to diversify its Bay Area-heavy holdings. Vierra's also very familiar with the market, having lived and worked here from the mid '80s to the mid '90s as a retail commercial broker.

"I'm here every week," he said.

SyWest's largest local project is one that has been anticipated and repeatedly revised over many years -- the redevelopment of the drive-in theater at Highway 50 and Bradshaw Road into a 400,000-square-foot shopping center. Talks with various government agencies continue. A draft environmental impact report is almost complete.

In Roseville, SyWest has lined up Ethan Allen, La-Z-Boy and others to anchor a shopping center at Highway 65 and Blue Oaks Boulevard. Vierra hopes to break ground in May.

SyWest expects to break ground by early June on a much smaller project, a 4,500-square-foot retail building at Big Horn Boulevard and Monetta Drive.
Aggressive growth

SyWest isn't the size of a real estate investment trust, the type of entity for many large retail development and management companies. But SyWest is rapidly adding to its portfolio, thanks to capital from its parent company that allows SyWest to buy with cash.

"We're not a REIT by any stretch," Vierra said. "I would say we're extremely aggressive. We don't have a large or cumbersome corporate structure to contend with. We're extremely nimble."

SyWest buys existing centers and undeveloped land, and builds shopping centers, industrial space, offices and residential projects. Some are mixed-use developments.

"We're not married to any one format of real estate. It just needs to be good real estate," Vierra said. Retail, though, will continue to be SyWest's big focus.


SyWest buys and builds to keep. It wants to integrate into the community for the long term. It is selling space to Ethan Allen, La-Z-Boy and one other tenant at the planned Roseville center. SyWest won't sell any space at The Landing center. "Traditionally," Vierra said, "we've never sold real estate."

"For us, we don't have timing pressures, financial pressures," he added. "We buy and we hold. It allows us to be very patient. We can allow the market to dictate the highest and best use of the land."

Outside of Sacramento, SyWest is working on retail projects in Hayward, Salinas, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Fremont, Newark, San Jose, South San Francisco, Orange and Reno. The company is planning mixed-use developments in Napa and Daly City, an industrial park in Phoenix, and attached housing in Redwood City.

"They have a vast amount of real estate holdings," said Dan Gray, a partner of Gray & Reynolds Inc., a Bay Area development and management company that focuses on retail. SyWest is a "quality operation" with the capacity, expertise and finances to do any project. "They are a force to clearly monitor."

When Gray & Reynolds decided to sell an Oakland center, it went directly to SyWest. "We wanted it to be in good hands," Gray said.

SyWest seems extremely committed to growing its portfolio and has the capital behind its goals, said Steve Tyrrell, senior vice president and director of investment sales for the Buzz Oates Cos. in Sacramento. Tyrrell hopes to find an investment deal that he can work on with Vierra. The two worked together at retail brokerage Bishop Hawk in the 1990s.

"Bill's an extremely talented individual," said Tyrrell, who added Vierra is creative, hardworking, trustful and a class act.

"When I think of SyWest, I think of Bill," Tyrrell said. "To me, Bill makes that company."

[neuhickman79]

Also, they have a Draft EIR that is under public review until June 1, 2007 with the County.
http://www.dera.saccounty.net/portals/0/docs/EnvDocs_Notices/19980681020070416110942.pdf
It is for a 20-screen 3,800 +/- seat multiplex theater, restaurant, retail, and office complex. It is going to be 439,706 sq ft. on 37.5 acres. Apparently, 3 of the signs are going to be over 25 feet tall! (woo hoo! ;)) There is an exception to build a building taller than 40 feet!(that's better than the FTB complex buildings...they're only 3 stories). I thought this quote was of interest..."The subject proposal provides a floor area ratio (FAR) less than the minimum FAR specified in the General Plan. Thus, the Board of Supervisors is the appropriate authority to determine that the minimum density specified in the General Plan is not feasible for the site.". I don't know that another developer would do something as urban as they want there. I'd rather have anything there than that damn weed-infested drive-in. It was nice in it's day. But, the city is a LOT different now. A drive-in belongs in a place like Wilton...NOT unincorporated Sacramento.

Edit: From a Sac Business Journal article 1/1/07:

Best Buy and Bed Bath & Beyond might be the new anchor stores for the much-delayed shopping and entertainment complex slated to replace the Bradshaw Road drive-in theater west of Rancho Cordova.

The two big-box retailers intend to locate in The Landing, a 400,000-square-foot center proposed for Bradshaw and Highway 50, sources say. SyWest Development's president, Bill Vierra, wouldn't comment on possible tenants, but he says he anticipates the 38-acre project will go to the Sacramento County Planning Commission for review in February.

[BrianSac]

:previous:

Thanks for the research, neuhickman.

I wondering about that space. Part of that space used to be a modern Ice Rink. Sacramento's professional Ice hockey team played there, and so did I!

Later, The Ice Rink building was completely remodeled into a cheese factory. The cheese factory went out of business several years later.

Then they completely razed the building. You would never know that's what stood there.

I heard nimbys stopped the 20 screens from getting built back in 2003.

[neuhickman79]

What do you guys think about the renovations of the shopping center on Folsom and Bradshaw (NW corner)? There was a critical article about it in the Bee that seemed to be saying it was cheesy. I commented on it. I think it'll be a good catalyst for the other centers along Folsom. That center was in BAD shape after years of neglect. I think it looks nice now. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it's completed.

[Fusey]

^I'm not crazy over it, but it's much than what was there before.

[urban_encounter]

Century (or Syufy) was aquired by Cinemark. I assume nationwide, but i know for certain that the Century Cinearts in Evanston is now called Cinemark.

The employee said that Century was purchased by Cinemark..

Not sure how this will effect the plans for Bradshaw (or Downtown Plaza).

[dcox20]

I'd be bummed to see the drive-in torn down... seems like more sprawl to me if a box store goes in - more draw for folks to live further from DT to be close to their perceived "conveniences"

[sactjs]

I went to that drive-in once with my wife a few years ago and we both vowed never to go back. I'm surprised it's still standing honestly. It had the dirtiest restrooms I've ever seen in my life (and I've seen some bad ones). And the lady who took our money at the gate tried to pretend we gave her a $10 instead of a $20 and only gave us the correct change when we called her on it and refused to pull forward. Good riddance to that place if it goes.

[neuhickman79]

I'd be bummed to see the drive-in torn down... seems like more sprawl to me if a box store goes in - more draw for folks to live further from DT to be close to their perceived "conveniences"

What do you think a weedy, nasty parking lot is if not sprawl? I can understand if it were being built 10 miles South on Bradshaw if you were calling it sprawl. You're talking about a place that is less than 10 miles outside of downtown in the middle of a developed, established neighborhood. Much of the surrounding area was built in the 60's and 70's. This is basically a BADLY needed urban infill project. Believe me, I grew up in Rosemont. I had my fair share of fun there and remember how cool it was that the area that I lived in was SO popular every Tuesday night. But, just because it was a good thing then doesn't mean it's a good thing now! I agree that there could be a more urban, dense aspect to what is currently proposed. But, it's better than what's there now. I'm also not sure what you mean by drawing folks to living further from DT. The houses are ALREADY THERE! They've been there for decades. Why should someone in Rosemont have to drive to Arden Fair Mall to get to the nearest Best Buy? I'm glad a developer is willing to spend millions in this area that has been neglected by the county for so long.

[foxmtbr]

A cool little find on the back page of the main section today:
-------------
We're No. 1
And No. 4, and No. 9, and No. 10, and No. 17, and No. 50, and No. 69 ...
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, May 6, 2007
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A22

Print | E-Mail | Comments (0)

THE LOWDOWN: We love lists. Not grocery lists or to-do lists, perhaps, but lists ranking our city against other burgs hit the spot. When we're on top, we can take pride in the River City - well, as long as it's not a list of crime hot spots or something. When we're not, we can dispute the obvious unfairness of the list creators. Here's a look:

DOING BUSINESS: The Big Tomato ranked only No. 89 on the Forbes list of best places for business and careers, falling down on the job in rankings for the cost of doing business, job growth, education and population. Raleigh, N.C., landed at No.1, but at least we're not Stockton (No. 199) or Salinas (No. 200).

ON THE GO: Tahitian Noni International, a sports drink manufacturer, ranks Sacramento No. 4 on its most energetic cities list, citing our low body mass index scores. San Francisco tops the list, with San Diego also making the cut.

READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY? Sacramento ranks No. 28 on a list of America's most literate cities compiled by a Central Connecticut State University professor. Criteria include bookstores, libraries, magazines, education, Internet resources and newspaper circulation.

CRIME RATES: Based on the FBI's national violent crime rates per 100,000 population, Sacramento comes in at No. 83.

UNDERRATED TOURISM: And the Big Tomato squeezes in at No. 10 on the Sherman Travel list of the nation's most underrated cities - as in, cities not normally considered tourist destinations.

FIRE IT UP: Propane tank maker Blue Rhino names Sacramento its No. 1 ideal city for summer grilling, based on our predilection for sunny, warm weather.

BABY ON BOARD: BabyFit.com puts the Big Tomato squarely at No. 50 on its list of the top 100 cities for healthy pregnancies - top honors go to Overland Park, Kan., while Washington, D.C., tanks at No. 100.

IDENTITY CRISIS: In the category of lists we'd rather not rank highly on, River City ranks No. 9 on a list of the top 10 U.S. cities to have your identity stolen in a list compiled for the American Chronicle. San Francisco tops the list, and San Jose and San Diego also make the top 10.

SINGLES SEEN: Sacramento rates No. 13 on the Forbes list of the best cities for singles, based on rankings for culture, night life, singles, job growth, living cost and online activity. Denver claimed the top spot, while Greensboro, N.C., landed at the bottom at No. 40.

CATCHING SOME Z's: Hey, at least we're a great city for sleeping. Shuteye.com rates Sacramento No. 11 on its list of the best cities for snoozing.

IT'S AN AROMATIC HEAT: Old Spice puts Sacramento at No. 69 on its list of the top 100 sweatiest cities. Phoenix perspires its way to No. 1, while San Francisco keeps its cool to claim No. 100. And how in the heck did Old Spice come up with the ranking? By calculating the amount of sweat a person of average height and weight would produce walking around for an hour in the average high temperature for June through August.

WELL-WIRED: Sacramento ties for No. 17 with Chicago on the Forbes list of America's most wired cities, factoring in the number of Internet users with high-speed access, the range of service providers and availability of public-access wireless hot spots.

LIVING SKINNY AND SMART: Folsom ranks No. 34 on the Money magazine list of the best places to live, while Roseville grabs the top spot on its list of the skinniest cities. And Davis takes second, just behind Arlington, Va., on the magazine's list of the most educated cities.

HELP WANTED: On the Money magazine list of cities with fastest job growth, Folsom ranks No. 9 and Roseville clocks in at No. 11. Surprise! Surprise, Ariz., rates No. 1.

Compiled by Pete Basofin and Sheila A. Kern

[ozone]

Does anyone know why there is not a noise barrier wall between I-5 and Old Sacramento? I've never understood that. It would seem obvious to put one in.

[Brotha_Lynch]

Soooo....What are some clubs you can suggest for someone under 21? I've been going to Empire and The Library club since I hit 18, and wanna try something new. What's some cool clubs to go to?

[TWAK]

Soooo....What are some clubs you can suggest for someone under 21? I've been going to Empire and The Library club since I hit 18, and wanna try something new. What's some cool clubs to go to?
none? why are clubs so cool? I'm asking in all seriousness. It's much cheaper to get a 20 pack of pabps for 7 bucks

[foxmtbr]

^ Does that come with girls inside? I think not. ;)

[neuhickman79]

Here's something fun I found (literally) next door to me. Actually, from the PDF it appears this TOD project is being built on either side of my apt complex.
http://www.sacrt.com/TLC/FolsomLine/LandUsePlans/Butterfieldmap.pdf

Edit: I see that the PDF is a few years old. But, they are doing construction on the East side of my apt complex and, from what I know from our apt mgr, it's housing.

[Grimnebulin]

^ Does that come with girls inside? I think not. ;)

http://media.scout.com/media/image/23/235242.gif

[econgrad]

Soooo....What are some clubs you can suggest for someone under 21? I've been going to Empire and The Library club since I hit 18, and wanna try something new. What's some cool clubs to go to?

The Underground (Roseville) has the best live bands in the whole Sacramento area, and is all ages.

The Boardwalk (Orangevale) Kind of seedy but fun if you like mosh pits, all ages.

Club Retro (Fair Oaks) Punk rock place for under 21 crowd.

Other than that, I am not sure. I don't know of any dance clubs for under 21... Kind of sad now that I think about it.

[Brotha_Lynch]

^ Does that come with girls inside? I think not. ;)

:bowtie: :bowtie: :bowtie: :bowtie:

[greenmidtown]

The Underground (Roseville) has the best live bands in the whole Sacramento area, and is all ages.

The Boardwalk (Orangevale) Kind of seedy but fun if you like mosh pits, all ages.

Club Retro (Fair Oaks) Punk rock place for under 21 crowd.

Other than that, I am not sure. I don't know of any dance clubs for under 21... Kind of sad now that I think about it.

I beg to differ. if you're looking for local shows Old Ironsides, Marilyns, Blue Lamp would all top any crap in Roseville. I particularly like Old I. For an 18 and up club I believe the Empire on Wednesdays and Fridays is 18 and up and you'll find hot girls your age their. Club 21 on Wednesdays is 18 and up and it's probably the funnest club for those 18 and up, it's a gay club. And the Library behind Sac State and Barcode on Arden are also 18 and up I believe.

Club Retro is in a christian church and I believe is geared towards orangevale hokies.
no offense econgrad but I don't think you get out much downtown based on your terrible recommendations.

[Brotha_Lynch]

I beg to differ. if you're looking for local shows Old Ironsides, Marilyns, Blue Lamp would all top any crap in Roseville. I particularly like Old I. For an 18 and up club I believe the Empire on Wednesdays and Fridays is 18 and up and you'll find hot girls your age their. Club 21 on Wednesdays is 18 and up and it's probably the funnest club for those 18 and up, it's a gay club. And the Library behind Sac State and Barcode on Arden are also 18 and up I believe.

Club Retro is in a christian church and I believe is geared towards orangevale hokies.
no offense econgrad but I don't think you get out much downtown based on your terrible recommendations.


Any chance a straight guy can have fun at a gay club in your opinion? Some of my straight friends hit up some gay clubs and liked it. I was like "???????".
Whatcha think?

[Web]

Does anyone know why there is not a noise barrier wall between I-5 and Old Sacramento? I've never understood that. It would seem obvious to put one in.

sound barriers are for residential areas.....most businesses like the exposure aka auto dealers etc etc etc

[ozone]

I'm not sure freeway exposure is a real concern for Old Sacramento's merchants. There's no gas stations, motels, auto dealers, ect etc etc.. Why would the merchants want the exposure of a freeway that completely ruins the whole atmosphere of the place? And I'm not sure you are correct that noise barriers are only for residential areas. I know that noise barriers have been used for state parks as well and Old Sacramento is a state park. Besides now that new condos are going in Old Sacramento wouldn't it be considered a residential area?

[urban_encounter]

Any chance a straight guy can have fun at a gay club in your opinion?


I suspect that you would probably have a great time..

The key to having fun is remember that your in a gay bar, so if somebody buys you a drink (unlikley) or tells you that your attractive; don't go off the deep end and start throwing punches..

Most people will respect you if you simply thank them for the compliment but inform them that you are happily straight...

This will also demonstrate that you are secure and happy in your sexuality.

[Web]

ok have them take noise readings then and get on the waiting list for funds.....

[downtownserg89]

none? why are clubs so cool? I'm asking in all seriousness. It's much cheaper to get a 20 pack of pabps for 7 bucks

umm, some of us actually enjoy doing the social thing and going out to meet new people. try it sometime? :cool:

[econgrad]

I beg to differ. if you're looking for local shows Old Ironsides, Marilyns, Blue Lamp would all top any crap in Roseville. I particularly like Old I. For an 18 and up club I believe the Empire on Wednesdays and Fridays is 18 and up and you'll find hot girls your age their. Club 21 on Wednesdays is 18 and up and it's probably the funnest club for those 18 and up, it's a gay club. And the Library behind Sac State and Barcode on Arden are also 18 and up I believe.

Club Retro is in a christian church and I believe is geared towards orangevale hokies.
no offense econgrad but I don't think you get out much downtown based on your terrible recommendations.

LOL! Greenmidtown, my band sells out all those clubs you mentioned! He also asked for under 21, which all the clubs you mentioned are over 21. The music scene downtown is isolated, no bands that play downtown get good exposure. The kids (under 18) buy the CD's, and go to the shows, not to just drink beer and sit around like at Blue Lamp and Old I's and Marylins, but to rock out, mosh and watch and support the act. The bands that are getting signed, play in front of more than 200+ people, not a crappy crowd of 80 or less like in all the clubs you mentioned, all play at the Boardwalk and The Underground. This is what I do for a living now, I think I know what I am talking about. You seem to be just another "Gridder" that likes to talk smack about the burbs, when you have probably never ever seen a show out there. Better bands, better crowds, real venues. Guess what, the music scene in DT sac is not that great at all, its kind of a joke to everyone outside of downtown, especially in major cities. Only exception would be concert at the park. I have been playing all these clubs since I was 14 playing at the Cattle Club in my highschool metal band, you have no idea or have a clue of what you are talking about.

[TWAK]

umm, some of us actually enjoy doing the social thing and going out to meet new people. try it sometime? :cool:
school works, is cheaper....

[sugit]

Jesus, that's a ton of money. Talk about an amazing donation. Too bad Sac couldn't get a small piece of that pie, esp considering he had all the money here. They are free do with it as they wish though.

Sounds like they are very big on education and it doesn't help we don't have a private university that he could have donated to.

I can't even imagine what that could do for UOP. The interest alone on 100M would be probably around 5M (average money market) a year

Sacramento developer, wife give $100 million to UOP
By Michelle Hatfield - Modesto Bee

STOCKTON -- Sacramento real estate developer Bob Powell and his wife, Jeannette, have donated $100 million to the University of the Pacific, transforming the university's future, officials announced Monday.

The gift is the largest in the private university's history.

Under terms of the contribution, which established the Robert C. and Jeannette Powell Fund, the university will not have access to the funds until the Powells, both 75, die. The Powells have no children, UOP officials said.

"Bob and Jeannette have been longtime supporters of Pacific and education in general," said UOP President Don DeRosa.

UOP officials still are working with the Powells to determine which programs the money will support, but both sides favor earmarking a significant portion for student financial aid.

Tuition at UOP is about $27,000, and students pay thousands more for textbooks, room and board.

About 80 percent of the university's 6,250 students receive some form of financial aid or assistance, said spokesman Patrick Giblin.

Bob Powell developed Gold River, a planned community along the American River, and the Pavilions shopping center on Fair Oaks Boulevard, both in Sacramento.

Jeannette Powell is an interior designer.

The Powells, who are very private, did not attend the press conference and reception Monday, instead sending the friends who had introduced them to the university, Ed and Joan Westgate.

Ed Westgate read a statement from the Powells: "We are so proud of our association with this fine university and are excited to make this gift to ensure an even brighter future for University of the Pacific and its current and future students."

UOP officials offered few details about the Powells, but did say neither attended UOP.

Bob Powell served on the university's 30-member Board of Regents from 1989 to 1993.

Jeanette Powell was appointed in 1999 and is still a member of the board.

The Powells previously have donated to UOP, but some gifts have not been made public. The couple gave $1.5 million in 2000 to help build an art center named after Jeannette Powell.

[brandon12]

^I agree Sugit. I thought the same thing when I read the article. too bad Sac doesn't have a private university.

I doubt their estate will simply write a check for $100M when they die though. What's more likely is that they will get $5M/Yr for 20 years, or something like that. I doubt (but am not sure) the value of their gift is $100M in 2007 dollars. Either way, VERY generous, and it continues a recent trend that you've mentioned previously of increasing philanthropy in the Sac area...