brandon86 comment-63124 2012-02-02T14:35:41Z 2012-02-02T14:35:41Z gay brandon86 2012-02-02T14:35:41Z MyQuest comment-62088 2012-01-10T19:34:30Z 2012-01-10T19:34:30Z Bill, glad you didn't rise to this one. MyQuest 2012-01-10T19:34:30Z P W comment-62072 2012-01-10T14:01:26Z 2012-01-10T14:01:26Z My guess is they didn't want to turn this into another City Council meeting - and after watching the last dozen or so on TV, I can't say I blame them. It's like a bad sit-com series, with the same old characters getting before the microphone every week spewing out the same nonsensical tirades. P W 2012-01-10T14:01:26Z Rhonda Erwin comment-62038 2012-01-10T06:50:41Z 2012-01-10T06:50:41Z what the heck?? You wrote, “The thrust of his article is exactly why we need a strong mayor who can get beyond soothing the egos of every person who deems himself to be a neighborhood activists." Are you drinking hater-aid? And Mayor Johnson is just why we don't need a strong mayor since it is obvious we can have (and currently do have) a mayor who can't get beyond soothing his own ego... If Mayor Johnson spent as much time on the budget and crime both this year and last year as he has spent on his own ego driven strong mayor proposal he would have proven to be deserving of us looking into a strong mayor proposal. Dang, first things first lets work on the budget-- the huge deficit and crime the enormous deaths and arrest throughout this city and then look at ego driven charter reform. You don't need more power to get things done. You need a mayor willing and dedicated to get things done. For Pete’s sake Rhonda Erwin 2012-01-10T06:50:41Z William Burg comment-62065 2012-01-10T06:24:55Z 2012-01-10T06:24:55Z Not his political cohorts--his employees. His political cohorts, the people writing the checks, have remained in the shadows, and will stay there until someone exposes them to the light. William Burg 2012-01-10T06:24:55Z Rhonda Erwin comment-62039 2012-01-10T04:14:11Z 2012-01-10T04:14:11Z Great job William! Job well begun! You are a dedicated, transparent, accountable, active...community member. Heck you'd have my vote for Mayor! Rhonda Erwin 2012-01-10T04:14:11Z William Burg comment-62037 2012-01-10T04:02:38Z 2012-01-10T04:02:38Z That's what confused me too. It was supposedly a public meeting--but they apparently didn't bother inviting the public. William Burg 2012-01-10T04:02:38Z LisaB23 comment-62035 2012-01-10T04:00:40Z 2012-01-10T04:00:40Z Sounds like the author is just stating the events of a meeting. And showing up does matter, and is a bit more complicated than criticizing from the safety of an alias on a 'community forum'. It's fine to disagree but the personal snark is really unnecessary. LisaB23 2012-01-10T04:00:40Z Rhys02 comment-62034 2012-01-10T02:46:41Z 2012-01-10T02:46:41Z So Mr. Burg has moved from just being a reader contributor expressing his small town views to now pretending to be a journalist apparently to attract a wider audience for his small town views. The thrust of his article is exactly why we need a strong mayor who can get beyond soothing the egos of every person who deems himself to be a neighborhood activists. Rhys02 2012-01-10T02:46:41Z BillN comment-62025 2012-01-09T21:36:45Z 2012-01-09T21:36:45Z I think we need to have some perspective regarding the City of Sacramento as a Corporation. At this time I cannot get a copy of the City Council Agenda for tomorrow absent a .com site. The City web-site promises a .pdf and the third-party provider links to a .php. Why has the City Council used third party sites to control access to utility rate discussions (see yourutilitiesyourvoice.com)? Recall? BillN 2012-01-09T21:36:45Z Lee Middleton comment-62022 2012-01-09T20:27:28Z 2012-01-09T20:27:28Z It appears that Mayor Johnson is letting his political cohorts do the talking instead of the mayor himself. I for one am in favor of the City of Sacramento having a strong mayor. However, I am not convinced that Mayor Kevin Johnson is the right fit for the role of strong mayor. Kevin Johnson has yet to communicate effectively with the people of Sacramento as to why he truly believes the city deserves a strong mayor, and why he believes he is the right fit for the position. Until he himself becomes transparent, there will be those and myself included that will not be convinced he is the right fit. Lee Middleton 2012-01-09T20:27:28Z fifthgensacramentan comment-62018 2012-01-09T18:52:43Z 2012-01-09T18:52:43Z Thank You William!!!....Who knew there was a meeting? A public process, using a charter commission, would have been required to abide by the Brown Act. Transparency? What's transparent is that now, the mayor is using his publicly funded staff, to again do an "End Run" around the constitutionally ordained methods for revising a city charter. Hopefully the City Council will stop this poorly orchestrated charade of outreach and support by "Team End Run" in its tracks. "Team End Run" wants to talk about creating an independent, elected redistricting committee...yet run their own little "shell" came when it comes to revising our charter...as opposed to the preferred, constitutionally ordained method of a charter commission. While I applaud the concept of an independent elected redistricting committee....I place a far higher priority on using a charter commission process to review and provide a deliberative, democratic process for any proposal to revise our charter....especially as it relates to our form of government. fifthgensacramentan 2012-01-09T18:52:43Z cogmeyer comment-62017 2012-01-09T18:40:54Z 2012-01-09T18:40:54Z Agreed, great work William. cogmeyer 2012-01-09T18:40:54Z MyQuest comment-62014 2012-01-09T16:46:27Z 2012-01-09T16:46:27Z Well done Burg, both in the going and the reporting. Personally, I'm torn. I like the concept of strong mayor for Sacramento's future, and want to like our current mayor, but can't shake the feeling that all he's looking for in us are bobble-headed cheerleaders, not citizens. MyQuest 2012-01-09T16:46:27Z MyQuest comment-62013 2012-01-09T16:34:18Z 2012-01-09T16:34:18Z I suspect "secret" is used to lure readers. It did me. MyQuest 2012-01-09T16:34:18Z Davi Rodrigues comment-62010 2012-01-09T14:55:53Z 2012-01-09T14:55:53Z I believe it is up to the government to post the notices, not the people. Davi Rodrigues 2012-01-09T14:55:53Z TomRunge comment-62008 2012-01-09T09:28:01Z 2012-01-09T09:28:01Z "Ms. Dalvi encouraged me to share the meeting details, which I did" Uh.....how is this a "secret meeting"? TomRunge 2012-01-09T09:28:01Z Curmudgeon comment-59319 2011-10-30T23:59:40Z 2011-10-30T23:59:40Z And knowing her, she will..... Curmudgeon 2011-10-30T23:59:40Z Rhys02 comment-59249 2011-10-28T00:23:19Z 2011-10-28T00:23:19Z Well Sheedy here is another opportunity to gum up the works... Rhys02 2011-10-28T00:23:19Z Rhonda Erwin comment-59244 2011-10-27T21:23:42Z 2011-10-27T21:23:42Z Thank you for sharing the information Rhonda Erwin 2011-10-27T21:23:42Z LisaB23 comment-59197 2011-10-27T06:29:25Z 2011-10-27T06:29:25Z Thank you for getting this information out there and explaining the process and why it is so important the public gives their input. The comment period is almost over...for something so important, why has the city not done a better job of outreach regarding this NOP? Has the city considered how the arena will impact the Historic Shops buildings or the existing plans for the intermodal? What about traffic circulation in Alkali Flat and Old Sacramento? These are examples of the kind of things the city must consider although the list is probably much much longer. LisaB23 2011-10-27T06:29:25Z Melissa Corker comment-57905 2011-09-27T09:10:14Z 2011-09-27T09:10:14Z Thank you for sharing this! I have a friend visiting from out of town this week and I'll bet she'd really enjoy this. 'Noise' is definitely in the ear of the... be-hearer? Melissa Corker 2011-09-27T09:10:14Z LisaB23 comment-57120 2011-09-13T03:03:54Z 2011-09-13T03:03:54Z Looking forward to it. Midtown has such amazing neighborhoods - and we're so lucky to be able to get a look inside some of our wonderful older homes. LisaB23 2011-09-13T03:03:54Z Ben Ilfeld comment-57095 2011-09-13T01:03:34Z 2011-09-13T01:03:34Z This is always an inspiring event. Really fun! Ben Ilfeld 2011-09-13T01:03:34Z Ian Merker comment-53505 2011-07-18T19:38:13Z 2011-07-18T19:38:13Z The best part of the Giants/Padres game last week was the announcers' comments on the adaptive reuse of the brick warehouse at Petco Park. That's how you Think BIG. Ian Merker 2011-07-18T19:38:13Z Geoff Samek comment-53504 2011-07-18T18:51:35Z 2011-07-18T18:51:35Z I think you buried your lede. Free movie at The Crest! Sounds like a fantastic event. Geoff Samek 2011-07-18T18:51:35Z William Burg comment-47261 2011-03-10T16:05:32Z 2011-03-10T16:05:32Z For Program B, in order, the playwrights were Chris Markel, Laura Kaya, Donya Wicken and Stephen Mason. Program A's playwrights (the one I didn't see) are Matthew Hanf, Frank Ingram, Nina Breton and Joy Hall Gee. William Burg 2011-03-10T16:05:32Z David Watts Barton comment-47259 2011-03-10T15:53:50Z 2011-03-10T15:53:50Z William, who are the playwrights involved? Any familiar local names? David Watts Barton 2011-03-10T15:53:50Z LARRY MEADE comment-47255 2011-03-10T07:51:38Z 2011-03-10T07:51:38Z I saw two weeks ago and really enjoyed it - don't miss it! And... the theater in the West Sac Community Center is awesome! LARRY MEADE 2011-03-10T07:51:38Z P W comment-45842 2011-02-16T22:01:02Z 2011-02-16T22:01:02Z It's OK, CCC...He's from Houston. Probably moved here to get away from all of the Katrina refugees. P W 2011-02-16T22:01:02Z sunnyflowers10 comment-42459 2010-12-21T07:01:29Z 2010-12-21T07:01:29Z It was a lot of fun...looking forward to next year being bigger and better! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!! sunnyflowers10 2010-12-21T07:01:29Z StevieGee comment-42144 2010-12-11T05:22:43Z 2010-12-11T05:22:43Z I remember the Breuners window from when I was a kid. Cool stuff. StevieGee 2010-12-11T05:22:43Z Dale Kooyman comment-40134 2010-11-05T19:17:53Z 2010-11-05T19:17:53Z Thanks Bill for this bit of history. Window displays such as this one or even less elaborate were great and shoppers looked forward to seeing what new and creative displays would be there for the next holiday season. Such displays were meant to capture the eye of folks walking by, which most did in their hey day. Photographers captured the scenes and local newspapers published them to spur shoppers. The holiday--any holiday--displays also created great display competition nationwide among the various retail "window dressing" employees (hence the term "window dressing"). That history and demise of this lost art is fascinating. Pricey stores like SF Gump's, NYC's Kleins and Chicago's Marshall Field's Window Display Departments competed nationwide for the talent to create the most original and impressive scenes and "stole" each other's employees. This great part of Americana along with the retail slogan the "customer is always right" went the way of the disappearing downtown shopping custom, rise of suburban shopping malls where windows weren't important as a market tool and store conglomerates and corporations began to dictate to the public what they will give to the customer as choices to buy. Dale Kooyman 2010-11-05T19:17:53Z William Burg comment-37996 2010-09-29T05:37:09Z 2010-09-29T05:37:09Z I guess you missed my story last year on the same subject: http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/15512/What_is_the_Norcal_Noisefest William Burg 2010-09-29T05:37:09Z SunnySideUp comment-37995 2010-09-29T05:14:51Z 2010-09-29T05:14:51Z William Burg? Noisefest? would have never guessed. *sidenote* Locals of Williamsburg in Brooklyn call it "Billyburg." thought of you everytime i heard that. SunnySideUp 2010-09-29T05:14:51Z SunnySideUp comment-36176 2010-09-04T06:05:44Z 2010-09-04T06:05:44Z Good luck to the owners of the grocery outlet and for all the people who will benefit from it. Thank you Mr Burg for your insight on the past. SunnySideUp 2010-09-04T06:05:44Z P W comment-36131 2010-09-03T21:43:27Z 2010-09-03T21:43:27Z Gentlemen: It's a STORE. In another 50-years, it'll be either another STORE, or a community garden or a parking lot for flying cars. I can't believe the intensity and prolongation of conversation regarding an insignificant plot of land here! ROTFLMAO! P W 2010-09-03T21:43:27Z CityDweller comment-35577 2010-08-25T04:21:32Z 2010-08-25T04:21:32Z Thanks for the story! I hope they do well, it's sure not an easy climate for starting any new enterprise. Re the building's history, I couldn't resist checking Sanborn (Fire Insurance) maps from 1915 and later. The 1915 map showed no structure at 1700, a residence at 1708 M. A later map noted that a store had been built on both lots in 1916. CityDweller 2010-08-25T04:21:32Z dshore22 comment-35480 2010-08-24T11:21:34Z 2010-08-24T11:21:34Z the store's the nonunion knockoff of a union shop. that's what makes it a right wing / left wing story. damn, coggy - u need to get out more dshore22 2010-08-24T11:21:34Z naga comment-35447 2010-08-24T04:36:07Z 2010-08-24T04:36:07Z " "and replacing with corporate chain products" -- like different signage? Really? " there's more to it than that. miss the point if you want to. naga 2010-08-24T04:36:07Z naga comment-35446 2010-08-24T04:31:39Z 2010-08-24T04:31:39Z Right here, coggy: "cogmeyer's comment reflects why the willfully ignorant rule the day, the politic, the air waves and the "discussion." " naga 2010-08-24T04:31:39Z Curmudgeon comment-35430 2010-08-23T19:01:00Z 2010-08-23T19:01:00Z "gutting cultural assets and historic uses" -- like replacing one grocery with another in the same building? "and replacing with corporate chain products" -- like different signage? Really? "A locally owned store would not necessarily have used the CAPS system. That's the beauty of independent business." You would prefer a vacant storefront? Beggars, Choosers and all that. Curmudgeon 2010-08-23T19:01:00Z cogmeyer comment-35422 2010-08-23T17:40:01Z 2010-08-23T17:40:01Z I am truly fascinated how a story about a new grocery store in midtown could be devolve into a right wing / left wing issue. Somehow I missed that turn in the discussion. cogmeyer 2010-08-23T17:40:01Z naga comment-35367 2010-08-22T21:41:27Z 2010-08-22T21:41:27Z guess who's at the table? the TeaBaggers naga 2010-08-22T21:41:27Z dshore22 comment-35361 2010-08-22T18:41:22Z 2010-08-22T18:41:22Z aka, like most right wing brethren, dining room table. dshore22 2010-08-22T18:41:22Z naga comment-35344 2010-08-22T03:58:24Z 2010-08-22T03:58:24Z cogmeyer's comment reflects why the willfully ignorant rule the day, the politic, the air waves and the "discussion." naga 2010-08-22T03:58:24Z naga comment-35343 2010-08-22T03:55:35Z 2010-08-22T03:55:35Z "CAPS is used by the Safeway on 19th and the one on Alhambra, as well as the Smart & Final on Broadway and 28th. They all have yellow stripes." One example is on a large store/parking lot property, not adjacent to historic homes. The other is not in Midtown. "A locally owned store using the CAPS system would have done the same thing." A locally owned store would not necessarily have used the CAPS system. That's the beauty of independent business. "... the sidewalk is also considered public right-of-way and street trees fall under the city Urban Forestry department's supervision." The trees belong to the public adjacent to the public right of way. I encourage you to take a look at how far up the trees root system and trunks the mulch material has been packed. Is there something offensive about tree roots now, in the City of Trees? The landscaping may be, in your opinion, "absolutely appropriate style in its current time an place." However, the market is not isolated visually from the surrounding block. It is also true that the numerous spiky plants are out of place in the surrounding historic landscape. An attempt to use plants that complemented the existing area would be appreciated. It is possible to use low water plants that aren't spiky, that would blend in better with the existing block and traditional Midtown landscape. naga 2010-08-22T03:55:35Z cogmeyer comment-35342 2010-08-22T03:41:58Z 2010-08-22T03:41:58Z Well its good to see that naga's many concerns about the midtown Grocery Outlet has been boiled to down to a simple disagreement on the amount of mulch that should surround a tree. cogmeyer 2010-08-22T03:41:58Z fiction916 comment-35329 2010-08-21T21:49:10Z 2010-08-21T21:49:10Z all interesting, I just don't see what a corporate aesthetic is and why it is detested. seems like in the operations of a facility, aesthetic decisions are made based on any number of factors from individual preference to necessity, with corporate protocol being one of many. the ideals of both owners and community are constrained by material circumstance in any case, perhaps less so by corporate resources. fiction916 2010-08-21T21:49:10Z William Burg comment-35327 2010-08-21T20:09:16Z 2010-08-21T20:09:16Z naga: I started the response before your edit (it took me more than 8 minutes to write it) so I was responding to your original post, not your edit. CAPS is used by the Safeway on 19th and the one on Alhambra, as well as the Smart & Final on Broadway and 28th. They all have yellow stripes. Because there is no way to get from the store to the parking lot without traversing the sidewalk, it's the only place to put them. It's pretty standard, especially in parts of town where shopping carts are often pilfered. It has nothing to do with "corporate aesthetic," but with the pragmatic considerations necessary to avoid losing their grocery carts while still making them available for customer use. A locally owned store using the CAPS system would have done the same thing. As to the landscaping: The landscaped strip between the sidewalk and the street is the property of the adjacent lot--so is the sidewalk, although the sidewalk is also considered public right-of-way and street trees fall under the city Urban Forestry department's supervision. Any property owner in the central city knows this. Spiky plants and wood chips around tree roots are just fine in my book--the use of spiky succulents and low-water plants has a long historical basis, in conjunction with the popularity of Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, reflecting concurrent interest in California's colonial period about the same time of this building's construction circa 1910--as reflected by the use of Spanish tile pent roofs around the perimeter of the building. It is also an absolutely appropriate style in its current time an place, considering that we are switching from unmetered to metered water, and reflects a desire to use plants that don't require a lot of water. New ground-cover tends to be a bit fluffy when first set down--over time it will settle. I own a house built in 1907, and the front of my property, including the mow strip, consists of low-water spiky succulents, with bark groundcover--including the mow strip--that covers the roots of my street trees. So I don't find that particularly jarring either. William Burg 2010-08-21T20:09:16Z naga comment-35324 2010-08-21T18:55:18Z 2010-08-21T18:55:18Z William, ACE is NOT the place. False accusations are bad form, William. My edit -- leaving the original question intact --came before your answer. The basic question, the original bottom line -- edited for simplicity sake, apparently while you were furiously preparing your reply -- is answered: Even with your historic and/or rad background, you have embraced corporate/chain/mall aesthetics/rules/presence in historic Midtown as inevitable. You loved GO in Arcata 20 years ago. So you love it here, now. I can see your point of view -- can you see any but your own? "What you are not addressing -- and your profession certainly must -- is that these are valid considerations relevant to revitalization and sustainability." "The yellow paint is part of the "CAPS" system that most grocery stores use ... They don't seem all that jarring to me." You mean that most suburban grocery stores use. When have you ever seen them painted on the sidewalk in Midtown? Yes, they are "jarring" and an aspect of the corporate aesthetic/rule that is in question here. The sidewalk is public space as is the tree strip between the sidewalk and street. The bins are a nice touch and historically relevant, as you say. "The landscaping in the mow strips around the building appeared to be shredded bark around the existing street trees--until recently, its "landscaping" was mostly dirt and weeds. I'm not sure how that count as "bizarrely inappropriate." " The section of yellow flowering plants is pleasing. The numerous spiky plants are out of place in the surrounding historic landscape. An attempt to use plants that complemented the existing area would be appreciated. The bark has been applied not only to the ground but up and around and over the tree roots to a level that yes is bizarre, inappropriate and jarring. They don't own these trees. Why are they trying to obliterate their roots? Where have you ever seen this done in Midtown? There are many considerations and a balance of interests. The ones that were raised here are valid, too. If planners and pros pretend that putting chain stores in revitalized Midtown as anchors is a given, the future history of our neighborhoods wiil reflect this. One reason many of us live in Midtown is to be near and support independent businesses. If the "Mom and Pop" owners of Grocery Outlet can contribute to a balance of corporate/local, good luck to them. Edit to add: Comment from other discussion from last night: On the first visit, the place was very busy at midday, including numerous customers using wheelchairs and personal scooters. If it provides a service to locals with limited transportation options, that's a good thing. naga 2010-08-21T18:55:18Z William Burg comment-35316 2010-08-21T17:54:06Z 2010-08-21T17:54:06Z Considering that your original statement was, "Wm., Thank you for your contributions to the community and on SacPress. Since this article is a continuation of comments on previous SacPress articles, some quotes are drawn from there. "As Sacramentans redisciver their central city, buildings like this one and places like neighborhood markets will have an important role to play." And perhaps this perspective could include those Sacrmanentans who don't need to "redisciver their central city," because we've lived here for a long time? "Perhaps this building could serve the neighborhood as a grocery store for another hundred years," without being corporate outlets for chains that impose top-down generic templates on unique,historic neighborhoods? "The use hasn't changed, but the facelift from its previous incarnation as Compton's/Rick's is well-deserved." The use has changed, from neighborhood market to bulk/discount chain. The aesthetic reflects that, as does the imposition of attempts to control public space outside the business: the removal of newspaper boxes, the bizarrely inappropriate landscaping and the yellow lines on the sidewalks demarcating what? Authority? Security? BS? So aside from the change of use, we have the physical changes, jarring aesthetic and skewed view of public/private space, which may or may not be softened with time. What you are not addressing -- and your profession certainly must -- is that these are valid considerations relevant to revitalization and sustainability. The city that you love to refer to so often, San Francisco, tackles these Big Box issues head on. "Yes, Grocery Outlet is a chain, but so is Safeway, or PF Chang's, or California Pizza Kitchen, who all seem to fit fairly well into the neighborhood alongside local businesses." Safeway takes up half a block and cannot be argued as "seeming to fit fairly well into the neighborhood alongside local businesses." Neither can your other examples. What adjacent "alongside local businesses" are you referring to? These may fit into historic building renovations and attract (out of town or suburban) tourists, but they are freestanding, not part of neighborhoods or "alongside local businesses." The question is whether the only way to preserve historic buildings and uses in the Central City requires gutting cultural assets and historic uses and replacing with corporate chain products and the mentality and aesthetic that comes with them." which is not so much a "question" as a "statement," I think my response addresses most of your concerns. Generally it is considered bad form to change the question after you have received an answer, but as to the question you asked after my initial response, the answer is no. William Burg 2010-08-21T17:54:06Z naga comment-35314 2010-08-21T17:42:33Z 2010-08-21T17:42:33Z So the answer to the question is Yes. naga 2010-08-21T17:42:33Z William Burg comment-35310 2010-08-21T16:28:06Z 2010-08-21T16:28:06Z naga: Having lived in the central city for 17 years, I feel that I have earned the right to call myself a "long-time resident." And I couldn't find any "Sacrmanentans" to ask. There's a Chipotle two blocks away at 19th and Capitol, in a building of similar vintage, with a locally owned hair salon, Senses, upstairs. The CPK sits in another historic building (the Firestone) with four other locally owned restaurants. The PF Chang's is also located in a historic building, with a locally own restaurant next door and residences above. The Safeway is in a new building, but one designed by a very skilled architect to fit into its context along the old railroad/industrial corridor, but even the cluster of chain stores there is accompanied by locally owned businesses. I'm not sure what "changes to the building" you are referring to. Other than fixing the doors and repainting the mural (after part was damaged), they really haven't changed the exterior of the building at all. The newspaper racks that were outside are separate, portable, free-standing objects and they certainly don't count as part of the building--and I think there are now news racks inside the store. The produce and flower bins are certainly within the legitimate uses of public space outside the business: they, too, are portable, removable, and non-permanent. What they do add is atmosphere: they display the goods for sale inside in a pleasant, aesthetically pleasing way, at least during the warm summer months, which in Sacramento is at least half the year, and attract walk-by traffic. And that's an important thing: they have a small parking lot, but much of the business is most likely going to be from pedestrians. Take another look at the mural, or at any period photo of neighborhood markets: displaying produce and goods for sale outside the store, under awnings or on the sidewalk, was nearly universal. It was a practice that went out of fashion when people stopped walking to the store and started driving to the supermarket, and city streets were considered a dangerous and untrustworthy place, suited only for a few newspaper racks. The yellow paint is part of the "CAPS" system that most grocery stores use to prevent having their carts stolen: carts taken over the yellow lines are immobilized by a plastic cap that slides over one of the wheels. They don't seem all that jarring to me. The landscaping in the mow strips around the building appeared to be shredded bark around the existing street trees--until recently, its "landscaping" was mostly dirt and weeds. I'm not sure how that count as "bizarrely inappropriate." I am also not sure how this qualifies as a "big box." The physical size of the building is identical to the markets that preceded it for a century. It's a franchise operation, not a centrally operated chain store, so there is an aspect of local ownership, much like the Ace Hardware on I and 19th, also owned and operated by a family but franchised via the Ace chain. While some people will certainly drive here, its primary market are the 30,000 or so people who live in the central city and the tens of thousands who work nearby who can walk in on their breaks. It's not an enormous concrete tilt-up in the center of a sea of parking, like a big-box store. It is also not an active competitor with any store in the central city: it certainly isn't going to put either Safeway out of business, nor are the nearby corner markets like Peace Market at significant risk of closure. I certainly won't stop visiting Safeway because of this store, or nearby corner markets, but will probably stop driving to the Grocery Outlet in West Sacramento or the one on Watt Avenue entirely--it's just much more convenient, and pleasant, to walk here. While at the store yesterday, I ran into a disabled friend who does not drive. He was very, very happy to see the store open. He lives in an apartment a couple of blocks away, and prior to its opening he would often ride the bus to discount markets in other parts of the city. Now he just has to walk down the street. William Burg 2010-08-21T16:28:06Z naga comment-35277 2010-08-21T16:20:28Z 2010-08-21T16:20:28Z The question is whether the only way to preserve historic buildings and uses in the Central City requires gutting cultural assets and historic uses and replacing with corporate chain products and the mentality, rule and aesthetic that comes with them. naga 2010-08-21T16:20:28Z William Burg comment-32838 2010-07-14T19:42:06Z 2010-07-14T19:42:06Z Actually, D&S does plan to add a medium-sized neighborhood market to the project--they just had not identified a specific tenant by the time they submitted the proposal. William Burg 2010-07-14T19:42:06Z cam8008 comment-32727 2010-07-13T20:18:30Z 2010-07-13T20:18:30Z As a resident, I see this project's Achilles' heel is the lack of a small-scale supermarket like Trader Joe's. In terms of the requisite *pieces* of the project, the Sacramento Alliance Team has this proposal beat. On the funding, you definitely have a point! Yikes! But that's not a good enough reason for me to support less of a project that doesn't meet my needs at the concept stage. I'd rather support the Boqueria and then hold Rubicon and Co. to the fire relative to securing private capital from their partners (like the California farmers' association). Also, are the numbers really believable other either side? They can easily be cooked to support either project. cam8008 2010-07-13T20:18:30Z William Burg comment-32615 2010-07-11T17:04:37Z 2010-07-11T17:04:37Z If you have a 1000-1500 seat venue and there are 100 people at your show, you have failed and you are losing large amounts of money. Jerry and Brian can tell you this--the promoter or manager is paying for those empty 900 seats, the band isn't going to make their guarantee, and nobody goes away happy. Unless, of course, the venue is subsidized. The Knitting Factory is supposed to be a 2000 capacity room--and yes, that does compete with the Crest (who does live music, remember) and the Memorial and the Community Center. They have their own booking apparatus, it is set up for particular types of touring acts that will draw close to a 2000 capacity crowd, and typically that means very little opportunity for local musicians who haven't made the cut. It means local bands play the local 100-200 capacity venues, then have to work the 500 capacity venues in other cities before getting big enough to play a 1000-2000 capacity venue here. It's the live-music equivalent of a luxury high-rise condo--it's not that we don't ever need any, but we have a much greater need for moderately-priced urban living--which means a much greater market demand. High demand means a greater chance for market success. William Burg 2010-07-11T17:04:37Z William Burg comment-32614 2010-07-11T16:54:50Z 2010-07-11T16:54:50Z I mentioned the Knitting Factory to influential local jazz musician Ross Hammond earlier this week. He said, and I quote, "The Knitting Factory hasn't mattered in 20 years." William Burg 2010-07-11T16:54:50Z The Parrhesiac comment-32597 2010-07-11T16:11:50Z 2010-07-11T16:11:50Z Camille, I am very aware of Redevelopment Agencies, their mechanism for funding (Tax Increment Financing) their supposed purpose and their histories of wasting BILLIONS upon BILLIONS of dollars nationwide on projects that NEVER pay for themselves - But I am especially aware that redevelopment agencies seize and take private property at GUNPOINT from citizens, so they can then GIVE that same property away to well connected cronies & developers. I have also been involved in suing two Agencies and stopping large projects - we have won each time. All Redevelopment Agencies should be closed down and de-funded. Since the early 70’s they have done nothing to stop urban decay or the NATURAL rise and decline of urban centers. All urban centers go through boom and bust cycles. I don't believe that there is anything that the government could or should do to prevent the natural boom and bust cycles - other than completely halting all development outside of the urban core, which will never happen. K Street is next to the State Capitol - Some of the best real estate in the State next to beach front or Tahoe property - SHRA has already spent hundreds of millions on K Street in the 90's only to see all of the money wasted to failure. Now they want to do it again - it wont work this time either - but it will make a few guys a lot of money, just like last time. The boarded up and vacant property on K Street is owned by SHRA - Their involvement has decimated K Street - Their use of eminent domain has frightened off any investors that are not very cozy to the Council or Supervisors - after all why would anyone in their right mind invest in property in an area that the government could simply seize your property and give it to their cronies. Redevelopment has also done nothing to help the poor, except to keep poor dependent on government hand outs; but what Redevelopment has accomplished is to make hundreds of politically connected people nationwide millionaires and billionaires. Anyone who supports Redevelopment supports the THEFT of private property by the government - Anyone who supports redevelopment supports corporate welfare. Those on the Left don’t care for private property rights – they also don’t care to restrict any forms of welfare. The ultimate Irony is that it is almost always “Progressives” seizing private property and our taxes so they can then hand it to elitist cronies and billionaire developers - the money almost never helps the low income people that Redevelopment Agencies have a mandate to help. Look around downtown Sacramento for proof, almost every major hotel, restaurant or swanky martini bar is subsidized in some way with stolen tax dollars. In Sacramento SHRA is the ATM for the Democratic Party - SHRA, the Council and Board of Supervisors "steer" contracts (a crime) worth BILLIONS of dollars since the 80's, through no-bid development contracts to wealthy developers, who in return donate very heavily - and albeit entirely - to Democratic campaigns on the local, state and federal level. This is how people like Phil Angelides, the Tsakopoulos’ and David Taylor et. al. became very very wealthy and powerful, they learned very early on that it was easy to buy off our elected officials through heavy campaign contributions. These cronies have gotten anything they have asked for – The rezoning of agricultural lands, tax breaks, tax payer subsidies and free infrastructure so they could make billions off plowing under irreplaceable farm land, urban sprawl and development. While this is not unique to Sacramento - however in this town, SHRA, the Council and the Supervisors are IN YOUR FACE blatant about how far they are willing to go to take care of their benefactors. Why does this matter? Why am I so pissed about it? Because what is going on within SHRA, an agency controlled by the City Council & Board of Supervisors, is a mirror of what has been happening at the Council and Supervisor level - it is at the very least unjust and unfair; but most importantly, in the big picture, which most on this site are incapable of seeing, it undermines our laws, our constitution and it destroys Democracy. When insider cronies and corporate elites own our elected officials outright, the citizens who live in the community no longer have a voice, a vote or representation REGARDLESS of their political persuasions or party affiliations. I propose that what is going on in Sacramento is EXACTLY what has happened on the national level - It is the SAME EXACT reason our country is in an economic depression – Well connected elites control our elected officials – and they have made TRILLIONS doing so. I could write a book on credit default swaps, unregulated derivatives trading, Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac, and the regulation, or lack thereof, Wall Street banks – I won’t, suffice to say, it all came about through political influence peddling and BILLIONS in lobbying efforts. And just who has paid the price of the elites owning our politicians here in Sacramento and in Washington? The average hard working taxpaying sucker – we are being bled to death, and the worst is yet to come. Most Americans simply accept this corruption, they are passive sheep. The vast majority is tuned out and doing as they are told; they believe that nothing can be done to change things - I am not in that group, I actually believe that citizens can, and have the obligation to, bring change to our government – The Parrhesiac 2010-07-11T16:11:50Z The Parrhesiac comment-32613 2010-07-11T16:03:33Z 2010-07-11T16:03:33Z lol The Parrhesiac 2010-07-11T16:03:33Z camille7444 comment-32609 2010-07-11T10:49:19Z 2010-07-11T10:49:19Z Jim Knapp, you bring up an interesting and unique perspective regarding the existing system related to redevelopment. A few questions then: 1) What is the likelihood for the changes you are lobbying for in the current system setup? 2) Given the current system setup, which proposal or combo of proposals would you recommend if you had to choose? 3) How would a 1000-1500 seat live music venue compete with the existing Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center venues? 4) If you had to choose between a Knitting Factory or locally operated mid size venue with the influences of a Jerry Perry & Shady Lady, which would you choose? 5) Let me save you research time, the 14&R building was not given to D&S. And only subsidy was 300k infrastructure from CADA that CADA was going to spend later anyway. camille7444 2010-07-11T10:49:19Z The Parrhesiac comment-32598 2010-07-11T05:23:19Z 2010-07-11T05:23:19Z Your numbers are not even close to being correct. D&S is going to ten times your figure...at least - or a "loan guarantees"..or bonds... free land, and 10-20 million or redevelopment funds left over from the Sheraton swindle. I don.t believe for one second that the project was done without subsidies - I will get the total figure on the subsidies soon, now that I'm interested enough to research it. So far, public records show no loans on the parcels that make up 1409 R St - there are 5-6 "parcels" showing for that address - which leads me to believe that the property was GIVEN to D&S for free by CADA or SHRA I will do more research as time permits. Sacramento needs a mid sized music venue that holds at least 1000-1500 - Similar to the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, one of the all time greatest mid sized music venues. - In fact, The Catalyst should be replicated on K street - Anything smaller will NOT survive - Jerry Perry should be tapped to manage the place.. he is a genius promoter with over 20 years of connections in the music world, he could easily bring national acts here weekly. 400-500 is far too small to make it profitable - after all we are talking about a brand new, ground up modern club with all the lighting and sound it's could cost $2 million + (Not including the property).... and local bands can play at the Press Club or Ironsides. The Parrhesiac 2010-07-11T05:23:19Z The Parrhesiac comment-32605 2010-07-11T05:08:16Z 2010-07-11T05:08:16Z Well Taz, first off 1000-1500 is maximum capacity - That would not prevent having shows that may only draw 150-500 people on off nights. The Catalyst has shows nightly, some nights there are 100 people - and many other nights it is standing room only - ( their capacity is 1000 legally, but I've been there when 1200 or more were crammed in several times.) The best thing about the design of the Catalyst is the design - it's a modular venue - it has separate pool table room and bar -and restaurant/Pub in the front - when there are smaller acts they shut down the main stage and use the front bar - that flexibility should be replicated on K street it also allows people to go in and out of the main stage area to shoot pool or have a beer at the front bar - I've been in the bar nightclub business, I don't know of any better designed medium sized venue anywhere - except that I think the main stage room should hold 300-500 more people. Having the capacity to sell 1000 tickets puts the venue in a whole different league than smaller venues think closer to the Warfield in SF - which is 2250 capacity. While Jerry has proven that small venues can draw national acts, it would be far less consistent than a larger venue, obviously because smaller venues only get the national/international acts on off nights between larger shows in bigger cities. I also seriously doubt Jerry or Brian would say that they could not manage a 1000-1500 seat venue, especially since it was being built with other people’s money - The Parrhesiac 2010-07-11T05:08:16Z Taz comment-32599 2010-07-11T01:26:16Z 2010-07-11T01:26:16Z Actually, Jerry Perry and Brian McKenna are both very good friends of mine and we have discussed on MANY occasions the need for a live music venue in this city with a capacity of roughly 500 people. Jason Boggs, co-owner of Shady Lady, is also a very accomplished and nationally known musician with ties not only to the best local promoters like Brian and Jerry, but many others outside of our region. Taz 2010-07-11T01:26:16Z Taz comment-32594 2010-07-10T21:36:23Z 2010-07-10T21:36:23Z So wait, D&S Development completed the 1409 R project without any subsidies and was recognized for project of the year in 2009? The owners and operators of Shady Lady are 3 young, hard working, locals that are largely viewed as having one of the areas finest restaurants, bars and live music venues? The D&S proposal for the 700 block of K St. asks for $8 million in subsidies while the Rubicon proposal asks for roughly $124 million? D&S intends to retain the current historical structures and incorporate wind and solar energy components making it the greenest of the proposals? D&S already has all of their funding in place and is ready to start work on the project right away? The team from Shady Lady has already been selected as tenants by D&S to create a mid-sized live music venue with 400-500 person occupancy which is ideally suited to accommodate both national touring bands, but also feature/develop our local talent? The Rubicon proposal mentions bringing in a corporate chain live music venue (Knitting Factory) which is too large to showcase most local acts, and begins to compete with already present venue Memorial Auditorium? What exactly is the debate? Taz 2010-07-10T21:36:23Z camille7444 comment-32593 2010-07-10T20:23:38Z 2010-07-10T20:23:38Z Jim Knapp, I have been thinking about your concerns. And related to them, I wanted to point out that local jurisdictions across the country have redevelopment departments like SHRA, CADA, City Economic Development, etc. These departments/groups are established through legislation and small percentages of tax money primarily from property taxes are given to them with the intent this money is reinvested into redevelopment projects. In other words, these departments are created by government with the consent of the people with the focus being to use collected money for the betterment of the said local jurisdiction (through redevelopment). So that said. Would you rather have these redevelopment groups done away with? Do you feel that collected money is better used elsewhere and none should be used for redevelopment? What do you propose as the best solution in your eyes? You mentioned political corruption and campaign contributions. Specifically, how do you feel the potential for those kind of things has impacted redevelopment in Sacramento? Do you think it has or will impact who is chosen ultimately for these K St blocks? Ultimately, a decision must be made by Council based off the system in place whether its next Tues or at a later session. What do you think the best compromise/solution is for K St? If subsidy is your concern, then the decision made by the Selection Committee, DSP, and other groups with similar sentiments seems to make the most sense, no? camille7444 2010-07-10T20:23:38Z camille7444 comment-32591 2010-07-10T20:03:46Z 2010-07-10T20:03:46Z Only subsidy involved in the 14&R Project was $300k from CADA for "off site" infrastructure work (sidewalks, landscaping, utilities to buildings, etc). CADA only gave that $ because they were going to do that infrastructure work anyway (just later on). They had a project ready to go since they did that area first! CADA is about to start similar off site work between 10th- 13th St on R St (where Fox & Goose is). And after that the area near the Safeway and Crystal Ice Buildings on R St. 14&R was an over $7 million project. Subtract the $300k, and the rest was done with developer (D&S Development) equity and debt. I'll take a repeat of that scenario all over this town any day. And I don't care what development team is involved as long as they are one with a good track record. And D&S/CFY, Rubicon, Bridge, and David Taylor all have good track records. camille7444 2010-07-10T20:03:46Z The Parrhesiac comment-32590 2010-07-10T19:02:46Z 2010-07-10T19:02:46Z CCC I will wage my credibility with anyones, any day of the week...occasionally I misread things...I read hundreds of articles and posts a week... it doesn't really matter who owns the restaurant really...it doesn't change the fact that Sacramento is corrupt and nothing gets built without tax payers being forced to foot most of the bill. Almost every major restaurant and hotel and business built downtown in the last ten years is subsidized by tax dollars. Well SCREW THAT - The Council members have sold out the community and our tax dollars for campaign contributions, they should all be thrown out of office. and at least I use my real name - talk about lack of credibility. The Parrhesiac 2010-07-10T19:02:46Z CCC comment-32585 2010-07-10T17:29:32Z 2010-07-10T17:29:32Z Hello, Ultraman? you there? what were those several websites anyway? kind of hit in the good credibility department, eh? well, i am sure you believe you saw them . . CCC 2010-07-10T17:29:32Z The Parrhesiac comment-32584 2010-07-10T17:25:54Z 2010-07-10T17:25:54Z Jboggs, I corrected my statement, I was under the impression that Paragary owned the Shady Lady. As for subsidies, Isn't it true that the building you are in was subsidized by tax dollars? The Parrhesiac 2010-07-10T17:25:54Z The Parrhesiac comment-32583 2010-07-10T17:19:49Z 2010-07-10T17:19:49Z Apparently you may be right Burg, Paragary may not own the Shady Lady - a point for you He's still a welfare recipient and apparent corrupter of elected officials The Parrhesiac 2010-07-10T17:19:49Z LisaB23 comment-32582 2010-07-10T17:11:15Z 2010-07-10T17:11:15Z Agreed PW - the staff and selection committee did make a decision and the Council's ad-hoc led by the Mayor is the 'body' stalling / oppossing. The Selection Committee's choice advances in a bold way the goals this community has advocated for several years - kicking off with a huge community outreach effort in 2005. The mysterious fire on the 800 block in 2006 and subsequent legal settlement with Mohanna drew this out another three years. Now we're finally ready to get going and now...it is pure politics getting in the way and it is the politicians and their 'friends' who will bring this down and draw this out and make it fail unless we stand up and say enough already - get it done and make sure you listen to your own staff and your community. LisaB23 2010-07-10T17:11:15Z Jason Boggs comment-32559 2010-07-10T16:09:33Z 2010-07-10T16:09:33Z Knapp I'm one of the owners of Shady Lady. We opened this joint with our own money and no help whatsoever from Paragarys, subsidys or your tax dollars. We stuck our necks out during these hard times to employ 35 locals, generate tax dollars for our city and have a great place for Sacramentans to enjoy. Isn't that what your Party is supposed to be about? Some people complain and moan and others do something about it. Jason Boggs 2010-07-10T16:09:33Z P W comment-32558 2010-07-10T13:12:11Z 2010-07-10T13:12:11Z This is why either nothing gets done in this city, or it takes decades longer than it should! Every time someone wants to get something going downtown, it's met with opposition....be it well-founded or not. I totally understand that we must be careful about how things are approved, but Judas Priest! Make a decision and just do it already! Otherwise we'll be arguing about where to relocate the ruins! I trust Berg's sensibilities on these issues...he's proven himself through his many articles and comments to be genuinely passionate and knowledgeable about the architectural history of Sac. And Jim: I knew Ultraman. Ultraman was a friend of mine. You're not Ultraman. P W 2010-07-10T13:12:11Z naga comment-32555 2010-07-10T07:06:15Z 2010-07-10T07:06:15Z There also was a glass enclosed Farmer's Market at Alhambra and S Street. naga 2010-07-10T07:06:15Z William Burg comment-32552 2010-07-10T06:00:08Z 2010-07-10T06:00:08Z Jim: Post some links. A quick Google-search shows what I already said--the owners are former Paragary's employees (not just one, I stand corrected), but it is not a Paragary venture. William Burg 2010-07-10T06:00:08Z The Parrhesiac comment-32547 2010-07-10T05:29:11Z 2010-07-10T05:29:11Z Actually, I think conspiracy is not the right term, it's corruption - those that give heavily to Democrats, Supervisors and council members get paid back through hundreds of millions of dollars in tax payers subsidies -They have quite a racket going on here in River City. and it's not a power ranger, it's Ultraman. And Burg, there are several websites that state that Paragary is the owner of the Shady Lady - possibly being partners with his former employees - The Parrhesiac 2010-07-10T05:29:11Z CCC comment-32536 2010-07-10T00:42:43Z 2010-07-10T00:42:43Z Boy, Mr. Power Ranger you really have it all figured out. just one big conspiracy after another, eh? or is someone paying you for this? CCC 2010-07-10T00:42:43Z William Burg comment-32528 2010-07-09T22:07:44Z 2010-07-09T22:07:44Z Your'e just plain wrong about that, Jim. The Shady Lady is owned by three partners, one of whom used to work for Paragary, but it is not a Paragary establishment. I think you've got your tinfoil on the wrong way around again. William Burg 2010-07-09T22:07:44Z William Burg comment-32527 2010-07-09T22:05:56Z 2010-07-09T22:05:56Z I wonder if you are holding J-E Paino, who is in fact an employee of Rubicon, to the same standard? Or does he get a pass because you like their project...or perhaps you and Jim got your own envelopes? No, I am not being paid by any of the developers involved in this project. I'm doing this on my own time because I want to see K Street brought back to life in a sustainable way. I want to see the historic buildings restored and repaired (not gutted except for four inches of brick) and put back into use. I want to see local businesses thrive, and new residences built to turn K Street back into a neighborhood. I want to see multiple businesses and local music venues owned by local businesspeople, not corporate chains. I want to see a public farmer's market that can stand on its own economically, not one beholden to eternal subsidy. And I want to see my city's funds used judiciously and carefully, not leveraged to the hilt and beyond. I want to see the big, heavy-duty plans we're already working on throughout the central city to remain viable, instead of losing out to a pipe dream that is barely past the rendering phase. And I certainly don't want to see another block of downtown Sacramento knocked down and left vacant like 3rd and Capitol. I support D&S because I have met them, have seen their work and know that they are capable of this sort of project. I don't always support them 100%--heck, the first time I met them was a project of theirs that I opposed!--but they are a creative, ambitious firm that does unique things with a high success rate. And, to be perfectly honest, I like them. I have never met David Taylor, but his project for the 800 block seems the most practical. I am also interested in seeing the Bel-Vue Apartments rehabilitated, and his project plans to do exactly that--as a proper historic preservation project, not a facadomy. I'm sorry if you think that people can't be motivated by anything other than money. That implies a very dim view of human nature, but I don't mind rising above it. William Burg 2010-07-09T22:05:56Z The Parrhesiac comment-32524 2010-07-09T20:28:59Z 2010-07-09T20:28:59Z Oh yeah, and the Shady Lady is owned by Paragary - Taylors accomplice. The Shady Lady is yet ANOTHER subsidized Paragary restaurant - These guys simply cannot open a business without the government forcing tax payers to pay for it. More Sacramento corruption at it's finest - The Parrhesiac 2010-07-09T20:28:59Z The Parrhesiac comment-32523 2010-07-09T20:24:27Z 2010-07-09T20:24:27Z Well, if nothing else, it will be a good place to see all of your council members. Half of them will be three sheets under the wind at this event - They are much more interesting to talk to then. The Parrhesiac 2010-07-09T20:24:27Z The Parrhesiac comment-32521 2010-07-09T20:22:33Z 2010-07-09T20:22:33Z Agreed Trapper, CLEARLY Burg has something to gain The Parrhesiac 2010-07-09T20:22:33Z trapper comment-32510 2010-07-09T17:01:12Z 2010-07-09T17:01:12Z Based on his previous posts supporting Taylor, William knows what I'm talking about. He's supporting the city's selection committee choice of the D&S and David Taylor proposal. trapper 2010-07-09T17:01:12Z CCC comment-32507 2010-07-09T16:35:10Z 2010-07-09T16:35:10Z yeah, he is probably rolling in it for getting Taylor this huge plug on this website. nice swipe, snidely CCC 2010-07-09T16:35:10Z Geoff Samek comment-32505 2010-07-09T16:16:47Z 2010-07-09T16:16:47Z Correct me if I am wrong but I believe if anything Mr. Burg is "promoting" an event for the D&S proposal, which is in fact a *competing* proposal to the David Taylor proposal. Geoff Samek 2010-07-09T16:16:47Z trapper comment-32504 2010-07-09T16:10:31Z 2010-07-09T16:10:31Z So did you get that envelope full of cash from David Taylor earlier this week William Burg? Your passion in promoting his project is like nothing I have ever seen from you. trapper 2010-07-09T16:10:31Z William Burg comment-32454 2010-07-09T02:54:26Z 2010-07-09T02:54:26Z camille: Where did you see that? It's an interesting point, but it isn't mentioned in the copy of a city powerpoint I have--but that copy only includes the portions of the project that were supposed to take place on city property (in other words, only half of the project) adding up to $100 million. Any clue where the rest of the information can be found? Rubicon's website is more style than substance... William Burg 2010-07-09T02:54:26Z camille7444 comment-32423 2010-07-08T15:21:14Z 2010-07-08T15:21:14Z Wow, I just realized something after going through City Staff's powerpoint presentation slides from the various meeting the past month. The approx $67 million in subsidy request in the Rubicon proposal in the form of parking bonds (somehow to be underwritten by the City) are IN ADDITION to the over $100 million in total subsidy request (Not part of as previously thought!). That $67 million is assumed to be part of Rubicon's equity! This financing plan is ludicrous. camille7444 2010-07-08T15:21:14Z William Burg comment-32422 2010-07-08T14:58:34Z 2010-07-08T14:58:34Z #8 is a key point--ordinarily, a selection committee of professionals provides a recommendation that is forwarded to the council. In this case, an ad-hoc committee of city council members has been inserted into the regular flow of work, Why is that? William Burg 2010-07-08T14:58:34Z William Burg comment-32421 2010-07-08T14:56:53Z 2010-07-08T14:56:53Z The JKL charrette produced several proposals--one was pretty much as grandiose as the Rubicon plan, involving multiple blocks, demo of historic buildings, many properties not city owned, residential luxury condos, etcetera. It was rejected as too expensive, even during the heady days at the height of the housing boom. If a plan like this was rejected as too expensive during the biggest boom in generations, how can it be anything but a failure in the current (and projected) market? All of the other proposals respond to the old JKL guidelines. You're also leaving out another priority--preservation of the historic buildings. Excusing demolition by breaking out the magic word "blight" is nonsense--"blighted" doesn't really mean anything, it was created as an excuse to knock down neighborhoods and has been misused ever since. As to parking: Your parking assumption is based on the idea that Westfield's parking will never fill up. Their parking is available now because Westfield's mall doesn't have enough tenants. Is part of this plan contingent on Westfield remaining one-third vacant, and that another project's parking will always be available? Where will the purported new residents park, or visitors to the hotel? Will residents at the high-end luxury lofts planned for the 800 block be expected to park 2 blocks away in the Westfield lot? Oh yeah--if you park under Westfield, you can only have your parking validated if you spend money at Westfield. If Rubicon isn't willing to provide any on-site parking, are they willing to pay Westfield for the right to validate their parking? And it's not just about parking spaces--it's about additional vehicle miles, additional load on highways and public streets, additional gasoline consumption and resulting pollution. That doesn't sound very green or sustainable for me, and it will make auto traffic and air quality worse through adjacent neighborhoods. The main concert floor in the three-story Knitting Factory plan is still only about 8000 square feet. That's still not enough for a 2000 person capacity music hall. William Burg 2010-07-08T14:56:53Z J-E Paino comment-32420 2010-07-08T13:19:50Z 2010-07-08T13:19:50Z Architectural Drawings of the 2nd Floor with Mezzanine can be found at http://boqueriaca.com/?page_id=254 J-E Paino 2010-07-08T13:19:50Z camille7444 comment-32380 2010-07-08T06:28:32Z 2010-07-08T06:28:32Z There are key fundamental questions that have been raised throughout these comments that have conveniently neglected to be answered. If we are going to have a discussion then lets really have a discussion.... I'm very interested to see answers these questions... 1) How does the Rubicon intend to obtain a $15 million parking bond from the City when the City has no capacity to issue this? 2) How does Rubicon justify having over $17 million additional subsidy request for the 700 Block for just 77 more units while have approx 11,000 sq ft LESS retail when compared to recommended D&S/CFY proposal? 3) How does Rubicon justify the City not taking advantage of $20 million in MOPA funds already set aside for Taylor only projects for the 800 block? 4) How does Rubicon expect to obtain over $100 million in total subsidy for its "grand vision"? 5) Of that over $100 million, how does Rubicon expect to obtain about $67 million in parking bond permits when, again, the City, simply cannot issue? 6) How does Rubicon expect to obtain over $5 million in permit fee waivers for the two blocks from a Building Dept under so much scrutiny? 7) How does Rubicon justify not fully preserving the existing historic buildings like the recommended proposals have? 8) Why has the RFQ process changed? It was originally setup to where just a recommendation would be made by the Selection Committee? Why was the process expanded and by who? 9) What does it say that both the Selection Committee and Downtown Sacramento Partnership have both recommended the D&S/CFY and Taylor proposals? Why did they? 10) How does Rubicon intend to gain control of the surrounding properties that are included in their proposal? Especially when they are owned by Mo Mohanna and Benvenuti? 11) Why not put a farmers market in the open Downtown Plaza instead? 12) Has Rubicon given evidence of equity or any commitment letters from any lenders? 13) How does Rubicon expect to get financing for the hotel portion of their "grand vision" when two other hotel proposals on K St have so recently failed? Lets see answers to each of these questions Rubicon before asking us as the public to even begin to believe in you, your proposal, and even think about committing anything close to the amount of subsidy you are seeking. camille7444 2010-07-08T06:28:32Z J-E Paino comment-32381 2010-07-08T06:02:50Z 2010-07-08T06:02:50Z JKL CHARETTES- In Rubicon's proposal they state that someone from their team has been to virtually EVERY Charette over the last several years regarding the JKL Corridor. They also state that the overwhelming sentiment of these Charettes was a call for: -High Density Housing over Retail -Civic Amenities and Entertainment -A Comprehensive Plan -Remove Blight It's hard to argue that any of the other proposals responded as strongly to the Charette guidelines. PARKING- Alot of people have said that there is not enough parking downtown and that new parking structures are needed. The City hired Walker Parking Consultants in 2006 to do a study for a new parking garage at 9th and L. Their conclusion was that there was not enough demand during off-peak hours (peak hours being between 10am and 2pm) to warrant any new parking structures downtown. Furthermore they said that until additional residential, entertainment, and retail amenities existed downtown there would be no need for additional parking structures. Downtown does not currently have a parking problem! A parking problem downtown would be a good problem. In summary there is an abundant supply of parking downtown - over 3,000 stalls under Westfield that never fill up, public and private parking garages are everywhere on both sides of K Street. They do fill up during peak business hours, but otherwise (during evenings and weekends) sit virtually empty. So there is plenty of parking capacity to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors a year into the K Street corridor to visit the Boqueria, Knitting Factory, and Hall of Fame from 60 miles away. Furthermore, its a misconception that paying for parking will detract customers. It's been found (in Old Pasadena, San Diego, Rockville MD, and many other cities) that customers will pay for CONVENIENCE. (currently if you buy something at Westfield you can have your parking ticket validated) KNITTING FACTORY- Take a look at the 2nd and 3rd floor plans in addition to the 1st floor plan and you'll see that there is -a small entrance on the ground floor, the first floor is primarily a restaurant and bar -the stage and backstage area with seating area are on the second floor -and there is a mezzanine level to accommodate the balance of the seating over 25,000 SF in total This arrangement creates a very intimate setting where everyone is close to the musicians, and not too close to each other. J-E Paino 2010-07-08T06:02:50Z William Burg comment-32332 2010-07-08T05:47:02Z 2010-07-08T05:47:02Z The recommended plan is the right thing--it is really a plan years in the making, starting with the 2005 J-K-L charrette and the projects that followed it. Those plans were delayed for years by a property owner who wanted to build a shiny new skyscraper on the site, but when the plan came to council there was no clear way to finance it and there didn't appear to be sufficient demand for that project and the other hotel planned for K Street (speaking of which, how does your project's hotel fit into the same scenario?) The D&S/Taylor plan fulfills those objectives, not by hurrying, but by doing what the city has been calling for, using proven models and available financing. It's a little less Hollywood, but it's a heck of a lot more Sacramento. I'm a bit dismayed by the idea that preservation of historic buildings "hinder us from our potential." Those buildings, as an irreplaceable resource, represent our potential only when fully utilized, potential that would be wasted with their demolition. The idea that we should demolish them to make way for "progress" rings in my ears a lot like cries of "Drill Baby Drill" without regard for the consequences. Speaking of which...if the Rubicon plan is supposed to attract visitors for about 60 miles, where will they park? Most of the region does not have sufficient public transit to bring many people. It sounds like parking fees are a big part of the plan (that $15 million parking bond) and you claim that parking will go up dramatically--so where does the parking structure go? What effect will this project have on traffic on downtown streets, on highways, etcetera? How does the plan address those issues, or does it address them at all? And how does a plan designed to generate so many more car trips call itself "sustainable"? I suppose people could come visit via Amtrak, but if they do that, they could very easily visit a public market in the Railyards! William Burg 2010-07-08T05:47:02Z William Burg comment-32339 2010-07-08T05:44:41Z 2010-07-08T05:44:41Z Plans of similar scale, or smaller, are the hot spots of the central city--look at 14th and R, or 16th and L, or 16th and J, or 10th between J and K, or really just about all of the successful projects of the past few years. They're all based on rehab of existing historic buildings and infill that connects the existing urban fabric. The central city is already kickstarted--in terms of activity and street life, Tuesday nights these days look like Saturday nights did a decade ago, weekend nights look like Second Saturday did, and Second Saturday looks like a complete mob scene! Instead of projects intended to draw car-centric looky-loos, this project can help knit together the wounded urban fabric of downtown Sacramento through repair and infill, not wholesale destruction and replacement. That strategy has led to failure after failure over the past 50 years on K Street. People already want to be in the central city--property values in central city neighborhoods have suffered far less than new suburban developments, especially historic buildings. Downtown hasn't shared Midtown's success on corners where developers want to build skyscrapers someday, like 10th and J and 11th and J, and are letting the vacant properties where they want to build sit decaying while they wait for the 2005 housing market to happen again. The Rubicon plan makes the same assumptions--and will result in years of waiting while the buildings continue to decay--assuming they don't simply destroy them in anticipation of a payday that may never arrive. Instead, we can build a project that can start pretty much immediately, be done more quickly, and help knit the central city together. The D&S and Taylor plans go beyond the Midtown model--they add a higher density of residential, across the economic spectrum/ The commercial component, far from "cookie-cutter" (no chain stores here!) is based on late-night activity that also draws a daytime crowd, and live music venues filling a major gap in the existing music scene. I suppose it's not exciting enough for people who really, really love skyscrapers, even if they aren't economically feasible. As to how the projects actually look, none of these plans have detailed renderings yet. Rubicon's plan is based on a couple of scribbly sketches of part of the plan, and volume-only renderings for the tall towers (which are short on detail in other ways, like what demand they supposedly fill and how much public subsidy they require.) The only thing we know about are the historic buildings themselves, which the Rubicon plan will pretty much brush aside, or treat as a minor decoration, assuming that they survive the demolition of the rest of the building. William Burg 2010-07-08T05:44:41Z Alevitation 7 comment-32333 2010-07-08T03:40:20Z 2010-07-08T03:40:20Z You guys can argue the numbers all you want, but to me, the staff-recommended plans by Taylor and D+S are, in a word, boring. Same old rehashed, small, and uninspired thinking with cookie-cutter retail with residential above in wrapped in a plain paper box. That will not be enough to attract people to visit or open businesses or live downtown. It's just not good enough to kickstart downtown and give people a reason for wanting to be there. Of the four, the only plan that has a chance of being a catalyst to revitalizing downtown and giving us a place we can be proud of, IMO, is the Rubicon plan. Unfortunately, the rest leave me yawning. Which is probably why the city is favoring them, all conspiracy and corruption theories aside. Alevitation 7 2010-07-08T03:40:20Z William Burg comment-32331 2010-07-08T03:14:32Z 2010-07-08T03:14:32Z I have been look at the Rubicon plan, and there are some more questions...how does Knitting Factory propose to fit a 2000 seat music venue in the building at 700 K Street? The building on the plans appears to be conjoined with its neighbor, measuring around 80x90 feet or roughly 7200 square feet. Divided by 2000, that's less than four square feet per person--not counting any space for kitchen, bar, storage, mechanicals, or stage. How does a 2000 capacity music venue fit into this small space? William Burg 2010-07-08T03:14:32Z J-E Paino comment-32309 2010-07-07T18:27:35Z 2010-07-07T18:27:35Z I'm sorry you feel the way you do I think Sacramento has made some great strides in the last decade or so, especially downtown and in midtown. It's been tough, takes longer than expected, and is expensive. I'm willing to wait to do the right thing vs hurrying up to do the half-right thing J-E Paino 2010-07-07T18:27:35Z