Leslie Valpey
Thomas Enterprises
916.329.4500
lvalpey@thomasent.com   

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CHARACTER AND NATURE OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN

sacramento, CA (July 5, 2006) – Thomas Enterprises, Inc. today released a summary of comments recently solicited at a community workshop held on May 17, 2006 in partnership with the City of Sacramento.  Participants were asked to comment on the character and nature of each district in the revised development plan.  The following is a summary of comments from the more than 200 participants that attended the workshop.

comments applicable to all districts:

• Enhanced linkage and connectivity between Districts, Old Sacramento, West Sacramento, Chinatown, Downtown, Alkali Flat, Richards Boulevard, JKL Corridor
  
  
• Entire project should be as pedestrian and bicycle friendly as possible
  
  
• Bicycle/moped rentals and storage
  
  
• Provide substantial green space (small neighborhood parks, large open parks, community gardens, dog park, rooftop gardens, tree canopies over sidewalks)
  
  
• Child/youth oriented sports and playground facilities
  
  
• Retain train/golden spike theme in apparatus
  
  
• Provide non-profit cultural facilities and community centers for diverse uses (dance, art, music, poetry, classes/workshops, museum)
  
  
• Minimize noise/air quality impacts with natural design fixes
  
  
• Minimize traffic impacts by design and provide substantial public transportation options (shuttles, trolleys, dedicated bus/shuttle/carpool entrances)
  
  
• Hide parking from view to extent possible to reduce visual impact/blight
  
  
• Streetscape should include covered seating/gathering areas to provide weather protection
  
  
• High quality architecture
  
  
• Create quality urban experience by using brick, large windows, brownstones, etc.
  
  
• Sustainable design principles (rooftop solar, recycle grey water, local energy grid, green roofs)
  
  
• Buildings should be green in accordance with City’s resolution to be LEED Silver
  
  
• Wide variety and mix of housing; affordable housing
  
  
• Flood zone considerations
  
  
• Provide high-quality K-12 educational facilities
  
  
• Continuous street grid connectivity
  
  
• Fire/police/medical facilities
  
  
• Fitness center and YMCA (with extended hours to support nighttime activity)
  
  
• Vibrant 24/7 environment
  
  
• Balconies
  
  
• Senior amenities
  
  
• Utilize local resources to greatest extent possible
  
  
• Ensure housing and supporting retail is built concurrently

riverfront district:

• Public uses for marina
  
  
• Canoe/scull rentals; bicycle/moped rentals
  
  
• Restaurant row facing river
  
  
• Alleys/mews at river’s edge to increase river views
  
  
• Riverfront should be large, open space for active recreation (e.g. San Francisco’s Marina Green)
  
  
• Small marine-related retail (fuel, boating supplies, food, etc.)
  
  
• Adequate mix of day use and long term slips to allow boaters to dock and visit attractions and destination points
  
  
• Provide space to bring in temporary seating for large river events
  
  
• Outdoor amphitheater for concerts in the park

depot district:

• Ensure connectivity to all districts and surrounding areas
  
  
• Configure track alignment to accommodate high-speed rail
  
  
• Improve circulation and parking at ITF; minimize traffic impact
  
  
• Bicycle/moped rentals at ITF facility
  
  
• Platform connection under rail should be active, well-lit, lined with shops, etc.
  
  
• Install walkway over levee
  
  
• Undertake serious study of the feasibility of moving historic depot

5th street Emporium:

• Boutique shops; no big-box retailers
  
  
• Full range of shopping experiences (high-end and affordable retail)
  
  
• Bookstores
  
  
• Daily farmers market
  
  
• Trader Joe’s
  
  
• Nugget or Whole Foods
  
  
• Ice cream parlor
  
  
• Shoe repair
  
  
• Eliminate or redesign traffic roundabout
  
  
• Consider sky bridge option for pedestrians to cross streets
  
  
• Address safety issues related to pedestrians crossing 4-lane Big Four Boulevard
  
  
• People mover along Big Four Boulevard and 5th Street

central shops:

• Change district name from Central Station to Central Shops
  
  
• Provide pedestrian access between Central Shops and Depot District that is separate from train passengers
  
  
• Transition from Alkali Flat along 7th Street; buildings should front on 7th Street
  
  
• Include live/work lofts in Central Shops buildings

canal district:

• Connectivity to American River Parkway
  
  
• Improve connectivity between Canal District and 5th Street Emporium
  
  
• Connect bike path on riverfront to bike path on canal; provide off-street bike paths
  
  
• Include wide mix of housing options; provide single family housing to encourage families to live downtown
  
  
• Step down density next to Alkali Flat North
  
  
• Minimize cars in residential areas
  
  
• Devise method to keep canal water moving/circulating
  
  
• Use aquatic plants and permeable vegetation to filter canal and keep it clean
  
  
• Consider safety issues due to unrestricted canal access
  
  
• Reduce block size to existing city block scale to make it more pedestrian friendly
  
  
• Add large park in center of Canal District or pocket parks throughout
  
  
• Use tree buffer to deaden noise and absorb emission from trains next to housing

sports & entertainment district:

• Fine art museum
  
  
• Minimize traffic impacts during Kings games and events
  
  
• Guinness Brewery
  
  
• Minimize noise levels from I-5, passenger/freight trains, bars, nightlife and arena events by using natural design fixes
  
  
• Dedicated entrances/exits during events for shuttles/buses/carpools, etc. to encourage alternative transportation
  
  
• Consider IPO to raise equity for project to allow interested parties an opportunity to invest in project, which significantly lessens need for public monies

For more information visit www.sacramentorailyards.com.