West Sacramento: Proposal/Projects and Developments

[TowerDistrict]

Definitely Dupont Circle. Though the Penn Quarter/Downtown area is a
good example of urban revitalization and the very old mixing in with the
very new. And there's also the great example of a downtown arena and
the impact it has on a neighborhood.

Georgetown Harbor shows what can be done with a riverfront, and the
rest of Georgetown shows how big name retail can coexist with small,
funky shops.

Even Alexandria is a fun trip away from the city, and only about a $2.50
trip on the Metro. Which shows to me how a region can cooperate and feed
off each others' successes.

Woodley Park / Cleveland Park / Glover Park for their big old houses set
quietly behind vibrant commercial corridors and tourist attractions.

Adams Morgan / 14th Street / U Street corridor for funky shops, boutiques
and 24-hour party scene.

There are plenty more like Capitol Hill, Logan Circle, and Foggy Bottom.

If you go to one museum while you're there, be sure to hit up the
National Building Museum, which is skipped over in most books and
people's recommendations. But anyone who graces this forum will love it.

Hit me up on the PM if you're looking for any specific recommendations.

Sorry to take up the West Sac thread

[ltsmotorsport]

U Street area for sure. Lotsa great restaurants. M street is always good right near Georgetown for shopping and what not. Dupont Circle is definitely the best hood close to downtown, along with Foggy Bottom (GWU).

Pretty much any area north and north-east of the mall is good to go.

[innov8]

[Schmoe]

Originally Posted by ltsmotorsport

Pretty much any area north and north-east of the mall is good to go.

Nothing good Northeast. I got lost up there at night...on foot. Nearly shit myself a few times. Thought I'd lose my life for sure.

[kryptos]

West Sacramento says yes to waterfront dream
Riverfront Rising: An ongoing series on the future of the Sacramento River




With the West Sacramento City Council's blessing Wednesday, the dreaming now begins for Stone Lock, an unusual area on the Sacramento River with an old lock, beautiful views and four miles of waterfront potential.

The council gave unanimous approval to an agreement with the Cordish Co. of Baltimore to develop the 200-acre site.

"The possibilities are really endless," said City Councilman Bill Kristoff. "This is going to be: hold on to your seats, folks."

Located across from Miller Park and the Miller Park Marina, the Stone Lock property includes an unused portion of the barge canal where it meets the Sacramento River. The agreement kicks off a year and a half of planning, environmental reviews and design work for the site, now owned by the city.

"The next phase is all about the dreaming," said Cordish Vice President Blake Cordish in a telephone interview. "It's a very unique piece of property. This is a huge palette to paint on."

In particular, the lock – a nonfunctioning structure of concrete and steel once used to regulate water levels for vessels – has city leaders and the Cordish Co. pondering the possibilities: Could it become a tourist attraction? A demonstration lock? A luxury spa with an elegant pool? What about sinking an old ship and creating a deepwater diving school?

"There are a million ideas, and they're all kind of wild," said Val Toppenberg, West Sacramento's redevelopment director.

"This is the fun part," Cordish agreed.

Wednesday's "exclusive negotiation agreement" essentially is a land contract, Toppenberg said. It enables the Cordish Co. to begin spending money on planning with the understanding that the firm will be able to buy the property, or portions of it, and start developing it at the end of the agreement's 18-month duration. Some of the land may become public city park space.

"It allows everyone to have a degree of comfort that people are spending money on something that will result in a real project," Toppenberg said.

The agreement calls for the Cordish Co. to complete market analyses, take the lead in planning the site, solicit public comment and secure entitlements and environmental reviews. Costs, estimated at $2 million, are to be borne by the developer.

At Wednesday's meeting, several residents raised concerns about flood safety and the density of the development and urged the council to proceed carefully.

"Our levees aren't up to snuff, especially in that whole area of South River Road," said Dani Langford, a Southport homeowner.

The Cordish Co. has named as its development director Port Telles, an attorney from West Sacramento who has been working as senior project manager for Granite Land Co.

The Cordish Co. had been selected in July as Stone Lock's master developer through a competitive process.

The development drew widespread attention because of the size of the property, its long waterfront stretches and its ownership by the city, said Traci Michel, West Sacramento's redevelopment program director. Ten proposals were submitted by local and national firms, including Cordish.

The Cordish Co. was chosen because of its reputation for building splashy entertainment zones in other cities such as Louisville, Ky.; Charleston, S.C.; and Tampa, Fla. The firm played a prominent role in revitalizing Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Developing near water, Blake Cordish said Wednesday, is one of his company's favorite things to do.

"It's magical," he said. "In Baltimore, it has become the thread that has tied everything together."

Though it is too early to say what Stone Lock will include, the firm plans to follow several key principles, Cordish said.

Among them: Bringing the riverfront to life; preserving public spaces near the water's edges; including local, national and international architects and experts in the design process; and drawing on the desires of local residents.

The area will be different from other waterfront development areas in the city, Toppenberg said. For example, the Raley's Landing stretch is slated to become an area of high density, tall buildings and heavy office uses.

Stone Lock will not emphasize high-rise office uses but rather recreation, entertainment, restaurants, shops and outdoor spaces for people to gather and enjoy the scenery.

The current housing slump and difficult economy are not expected to be a barrier to development, Cordish said.

"We have such a long-term perspective," he said. "We absolutely believe that for the long term, this is a wonderful opportunity."

[SactownTom]

I think this will turn out pretty awesome. Contrast this with the article today about more uncertainty for the Railyards and you have to wonder why Sacramento can't follow West Sac's examples of getting things done.

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by SactownTom

I think this will turn out pretty awesome. Contrast this with the article today about more uncertainty for the Railyards and you have to wonder why Sacramento can't follow West Sac's examples of getting things done.

Because Sacramento lacks political leadership and the kind of political back bone to stand up to the special interest NIMBYs, neighborhood groups and so called environmentalists and historical preservationists.

[Majin]

Originally Posted by urban_encounter

Because Sacramento lacks political leadership and the kind of political back bone to stand up to the special interest NIMBYs, neighborhood groups and so called environmentalists and historical preservationists.

Majin for Mayor 2020.

[innov8]

But your anti-tree

[Majin]

Originally Posted by innov8

But your anti-tree

Anti-tree or get-nothing-done, no-political-will, natomas-was-planned Fargo.

You decide whats worse.

[creamcityleo79]

Originally Posted by Majin

Anti-tree or get-nothing-done, no-political-will, natomas-was-planned Fargo.

You decide whats worse.

honestly, anti-tree is worse!

[Majin]

Originally Posted by neuhickman79

honestly, anti-tree is worse!

Ok then if you seriously would perfer Fargo you have no one else to blame for lack of progress.

I just hope the majority of people feel different come 2020.

[kryptos]

Originally Posted by neuhickman79

honestly, anti-tree is worse!

co-signed

@majin..
you wont become mayor of the city of trees with that perspective

[Web]

Originally Posted by urban_encounter

Because Sacramento lacks political leadership and the kind of political back bone to stand up to the special interest NIMBYs, neighborhood groups and so called environmentalists and historical preservationists.

and over 300 million dollars in infrastructure......

also in the west sac article it said 1-2 yrs of planning and enviromental......
what will the infrastructure needs be when the developer comes to the city???

its a partnership and I don't think the cities can afford it right now.....

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by Web

and over 300 million dollars in infrastructure......

...its a partnership and I don't think the cities can afford it right now.....

If any city can find it right now, Wessac can. Lord knows that if Wessac and Sacramento had a race on identicle parsels of land and identical projects, Wessac's would be done 3 years in advance and probably lured the Sacramento contractor and investors across the river and build their project there instead!

*sigh*

[innov8]

[urban_encounter]

Originally Posted by innov8

The renderings of this tower didn't do it justice..

This is really going to be a sharp building.

Thanks Mike..

[kryptos]

Originally Posted by urban_encounter

The renderings of this tower didn't do it justice..

This is really going to be a sharp building.

Thanks Mike..

co-signed

[kryptos]

Originally Posted by innov8

where was this picture taken from? and that view of downtown that looks like it was taken in natomas...are you standing on a roof?

[ozone]

Actually it looks like it's taken from Capitol Mall-Westfield area. I never realized how much of an impact this tower would have on the area visually. IMO it just might be the most attractive modern office tower in the Sacramento area.