Oct 24

Oct 24 New Stockton Blvd Plan envisions corridor revitalization

Building up business, Building a sustainable future, Giving back to the community, Helping all people thrive, In The News

Sacramento (Oct. 24, 2024) - The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday unanimously adopted the Stockton Blvd Plan , which will guide efforts to revitalize and strengthen the Stockton Boulevard corridor, forming a vital foundation for the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Stockton Boulevard is the city’s most important example of what’s possible when we commit resources and pay real attention to inclusive economic development,” said Mayor Steinberg. “Together with our businesses and neighborhoods, this is just the beginning, not only for Stockton Boulevard but for every historic commercial corridor in our city.”

The Stockton Blvd Plan is a community-centered strategy to revitalize the commercial corridor, benefiting the current residents and businesses in the area.

The Stockton Blvd Plan is the first initiative by the City’s newly created Neighborhood Development Action Team (NDAT) to address community concerns about racial inequity and the risks of gentrification and displacement affecting residents and businesses in the area.

The City leveraged relationships established by community organizations Civic Thread, Building Healthy Communities, and consultant Veritable Good, along with the City-supported Stockton Boulevard Resident Planning Team and Community Ambassadors, to engage residents and business owners. These efforts included discussions on anti-displacement and community ownership, engagement events, celebrations, and interactive online workshops.

The plan covers key areas reflecting community priorities and potential actions, including:

Land use – activate the corridor by focusing on addressing vacant lots and underutilized land and increasing family and community-serving land uses.

Housing – keep residents housed, provide more housing types, tenant protections, and assist the unhoused.

Culture and arts – celebrate and enhance diversity, creativity and beauty.

Inclusive economic development – expand job opportunities, support small businesses, and provide tools, resources, and education to help people improve their financial stability.

Environment and safety – increase safety and security, access to affordable and healthy foods, reduce environmental pollutants, and provide quality healthcare and public spaces.

Community engagement – encourage youth involvement and empowerment; and provide equitable and accessible communications.

The plan also includes a transportation component to assess corridor improvements, encouraging pedestrian, bicycle and transit use.

“This plan was a community effort as the City partnered with residents, business owners, landowners, and organizations to develop a shared vision of the corridor as a great place for existing residents and businesses, while also providing space for future growth,” said Elizabeth Boyd, Senior Planner and NDAT co-lead. “We are excited to see this plan adopted and continue implementing it with the community.”

With the plan approved, the Office of Arts and Culture and NDAT can move to the next step: launching a $700,000 pilot grant program to support commercial corridors, arts and culture partnerships, and both short- and long-term community-led projects.

For more information on these grant opportunities and to provide feedback on the application process, the community is invited to take a survey, open until November 30.