Old Sacramento reinvention gets boost from new state-city partnership
The Old Sacramento Waterfront revamp took another step forward Tuesday when the City Council approved an historic partnership between the City, the State of California and Old Sacramento’s private property owners.
The Memorandum of Understanding is the first step toward joint governance of the recently re-branded Old Sacramento Waterfront. Having one entity running things could improve the district’s ability to plan for and finance improvements to this important community asset, a significant portion of which is owned by California State Parks.
Mayor Darrell Steinberg said the MOU “paves the way for us to make great breakthroughs on Sacramento’s waterfront.”
“We’re bringing the State of California to the table,” Mayor Steinberg continued. “What’s happened in Old Sacramento for a long time is there has been this conflicting jurisdiction….and it has been really difficult to make progress. “
In the 57 years since Old Sacramento was created via ordinance, much of its founding vision has come alive. Unfortunately, over the years, the operational organization was not fully developed, which has made consistent communication, coordination and decision making difficult.
The increased cooperation between the property ownership groups comes as the City is moving ahead with Waterfront Idea Makers, an effort to reinvent the historic waterfront.
Earlier this month, the City invited residents to submit their ideas for a chance to win up to $6,000 in prize money if their idea is chosen through a popular vote by the public.
With input from residents and other stakeholders, the City will ultimately choose among the ideas and select projects to implement. Participants will be invited to continue working with the City if their designs are feasible to bring to reality.
Entries can be submitted by noon on March 11, 2019. A public voting period will occur from March 11-20.
To recognize the best ideas, a public vote “People’s Choice” designation will be given to winners of the public vote and be awarded $5,000. Additionally, an “Open Competition Winner” will be designated and awarded $1,000.
A Kids Competition is also included for children ages 5-18 years old. Youth are encouraged to submit their ideas in one of nine categories that will be judged by City Council Members.
Examples of ideas range from open air street markets, pop-up chic shopping, dancing and colorful events, to adventure playgrounds, eateries and riverside dining.
Recently, the City chose five professional teams after an open call to generate imaginative concepts that enhance the area’s historic ambiance, aesthetic appeal, visitor experience and connectivity to the city. The teams, which have completed projects both nationally and internationally, have experience in architecture, engineering and placemaking. Each professional team receives $10,000 to develop their ideas for the waterfront, which runs between the Crocker Art Museum and the planned Powerhouse Science Center.
All professional team ideas and public ideas are eligible for the “People’s Choice” award.
