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  #81  
Old Posted Nov 17, 2005, 2:10 PM
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With all the activity at that End of DT, Lofts, East End, The Park, The Marriott, it's time for that parcel to be developed.
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  #82  
Old Posted Nov 19, 2005, 2:14 AM
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Here are (very early) renderings of two condo towers proposed for the K street pedestrian mall in Downtown.

These towers haven't yet been to desgn review. (Thankfully)


(photo courtesy of Sugit )
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  #83  
Old Posted Nov 21, 2005, 3:11 PM
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First results look good, so managers ask to take Matrix citywide


By Mike McCarthy
Sacramento Business Journal
Updated: 7:00 p.m. ET Nov. 20, 2005


Ray Kerridge's experimental program for faster approval of development applications has worked so well in central Sacramento that he will ask the City Council to make it permanent and expand it citywide.

City staff will ask the council early next year to switch all of Sacramento to the "Matrix" program, said Bill Thomas, operations manager for the city's Development Services Department. Kerridge, named interim city manager after manager Bob Thomas announced his impending retirement, was hired to oversee that department.

"It's starting to work pretty well," Bill Thomas said of Matrix. "It's a work in progress, but a ton of little nuts-and-bolts things have been worked out."

Under the pilot program, he said, the average time needed to process commercial applications within the department has been halved -- one of the main goals -- to three weeks.

Big projects like downtown high-rises, which can spend 41/2 to 61/2 years moving from design to construction, are saving four to six months within the department; the program has little effect on delays during reviews by the Planning Commission, City Council or other bodies.

The Matrix, devised by Kerridge and Bill Thomas, is the city's response to long-standing complaints that its construction application process is bureaucratically impersonal, confusing and horribly time-consuming. The new system emphasizes efficiency and friendly staff cooperation with applicants, going so far as to call them "customers," and assigns a team leader to track projects and answer questions about their status.

Projects with an estimated value on more than $500 million have been handled or are being processed by the pilot version of the Matrix. They include the Aura condominium high-rise proposed by Craig Nassi at 6th Street and Capitol Mall, John Saca's planned condo high-rises at 301 Capitol Mall, and Tsakopoulos Investments' high-rise offices at 500 Capitol Mall, which some call "The Parthenon."

Nassi's and Saca's projects have been approved and are headed for construction. The Tsakopoulos project is being redesigned after feedback from its Matrix team.

Good reviews, within limits: The 500 Capitol Mall developer, Angelo G. Tsakopoulos, said the Matrix has done well by his proposal and he's happy to hear it could go citywide. "It's a good signal to the business community," he said, "that the city is making such a strong commitment to revamping the way it handles applications."

Developers who were asked how Matrix was working for them liked the program. Sotiris Kolokotronis, formerly a critic of the city for its handling of development applications, said Matrix is "working really well. It's a proactive approach." His proposed lofts at 1850 L St. are being processed using the Matrix.

But that doesn't mean builders believe the city processing is perfect.

For instance, Steve Eggert of St. Anton Partners, recently submitted a proposal for a high-rise condo project at 11th and J streets. The Matrix worked wonderfully for his partnership -- as far as it went.

"Hey, I'm looking at a half-year for a traffic study," Eggert said. "It shows there are additional issues the city should be addressing."

Things may change on that front. Development Services is working on a traffic master plan for downtown that would allow traffic studies to be completed more quickly, Thomas said.

Eggert is one of the few to have started his application after Matrix's official start this summer. He said he was assigned a team leader and team even before he applied, and that their suggestions were very helpful.

Moving quickly
Kerridge was hired away from Portland, Ore., early this year so that he could apply in Sacramento the efficiency methods he devised there. He brought along Bill Thomas, who was also his foreman in Portland.

They started the Matrix officially in August, although it had begun in small ways earlier in 2005, not long after Kerridge became a deputy city manager in charge of the Development Services Department. The department then was a recent creation, consolidating several development-related offices in an earlier move to streamline operations.

Closely watching the Matrix is the Development Oversight Commission, a city-appointed advisory group composed of construction industry leaders. Developer and consultant Brian Holloway, former chairman and current member of the commission, said Matrix should rule citywide.

"Where it's been used," he said, "I've heard of nothing but success for the applicant. The commission is very pleased with it."
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  #84  
Old Posted Nov 24, 2005, 4:24 PM
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Congrats Sacramento!
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  #85  
Old Posted Dec 5, 2005, 9:40 PM
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West Sacramento

West Sacramento rising
Project would change skyline, image

By Ed Fletcher -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Monday, December 5, 2005
Story appeared on Page A1 of The Bee

West Sacramento city planners have long dreamed of constructing a large-scale commercial corridor, connecting to Sacramento's central business district. In the 1990s, the dream expanded to include people living, working and playing along West Sacramento's waterfront.
Now, a plan to build a six-building complex of mid-and high-rise office and residential towers across the river from Old Sacramento brings that vision closer to reality.

The project has yet to be approved by the city's Planning Commission or council, but it appears to have strong backing, and construction could begin in 2007.

The Raley's Landing complex would radically reshape Sacramento's skyline, extend downtown across the river and give added prestige to the capital city's western neighbor.

West Sacramento boosters are feeling as optimistic as they did when the first pitch was thrown at Raley Field in 2000 for the Triple-A River Cats. They predict this latest high-profile development will open people's eyes to the fast-growing, former blue-collar town.

"It's going to be a stigma-buster and set the groundwork for future development in the area," said Bryan Turner, a West Sacramento developer not involved in the project. "That project is really just one more project to add to the West Sacramento renaissance ... that will forever change the way the rest of the region views West Sacramento."

Just a few years back, the Raley's Landing proposal might have been viewed with heavy skepticism. But now the project - both complementing and righting the errors of the ziggurat office building - is the next logical step for booming West Sacramento, city officials and developers say.

In addition to the proposed office and residential towers by Sacramento's Panattoni Development Co., the project includes several six-story condominiums and apartments, with ground-level restaurants and shops, and on-site parking. A hotel and conference center also is under consideration.

City officials and outside developers said an anchor tenant for the tallest structure of the complex - a 19-story office building - has been identified and will help ensure the project's success. City officials have refused to name the tenant or who might operate the hotel until the project's backers are ready to announce their roles.

A Panattoni official also declined to discuss the project.

The proposed development, on land owned by grocery chain Raley's Inc. and the Teel Family Trust, adds to a growing list of major projects planned for the Sacramento skyline.

Twin 53-story condominium towers were approved by the city of Sacramento over the summer, and a 25-story office tower and 38-story residential tower have been proposed.

While not as tall as some as of the buildings being planned for Sacramento, the West Sacramento project would be the largest expansion of downtown in some time.

The 18-acre project would surround the ziggurat building, with structures to the south, east and west of the old Money Store building.

Unlike the ziggurat, the Raley's Landing project promises ample space for retail stores. Built in 1997, the ziggurat has been criticized by urban planners because the building is self-contained - workers generally don't leave during the day to shop or eat at nearby businesses.

"They have a fantastic project," said Mark Friedman, a developer on both sides of the river. "It would be a tremendous addition to the waterfront. It's urban and sophisticated."

West Sacramento's Mayor Christopher Cabaldon - a strong proponent of "walkable" communities - said the fact that the project offers jobs, housing, retail and entertainment makes it ideal for the riverfront.

In the 744-page environmental impact study, pending before the Planning Commission, traffic is cited as the largest potential problem. Long shadows cast by buildings onto homes and construction noise also were cited.

West Sacramento resident Mary Lasell, who attended a Planning Commission meeting in November outlining the environmental study, said her chief concern was the increased traffic.

"Where are these people going to park?" she asked.

While the problem should not be ignored, Cabaldon said, some level of traffic congestion is part of a healthy downtown.

Bringing intense, high-density projects to West Sacramento makes sense, said Robert A. Johnston, professor emeritus at University of California, Davis.

"For a region that has air quality problems and habitat-protection issues it seems like a good idea," said Johnston, an urban growth expert.

Accommodating the region's growth with high-density development near Sacramento's core is far better than building in flat, outlying areas, he said.

Excitement about the project also spans the river.

"My favorite part is the housing," said Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo. "There is enough housing proposed ... to support retail and restaurants. It's going to feel like a neighborhood."

She envisions people living in Sacramento, walking across the Tower Bridge to work in West Sacramento, and vice versa.

"It's a terrific opportunity for us," added Steve Huffman, executive director of the Old Sacramento Business Association. "It's an opportunity for us to orientate our retail mix more toward locals because it will be convenient for them to shop here."

Cabaldon, the West Sacramento mayor, called the River Cats' move across the river five years ago a catalyst for the city.

"None of this - at least on this accelerated time period - would be possible without Raley Field," Cabaldon said. "It's continuing evidence that our little town is able to dream big and be able to get it done."






(Thanks to the Bee and GrowinUp for printing and posting this respectively)............
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  #86  
Old Posted Dec 14, 2005, 12:11 AM
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56 story condo tower 1 million sf

This project was origionally proposed at 38 stories and just over 400,000 sf.

It appears to be growing a bit.

This proposal will instead be 56 stories and over 1 million sf.
Approximate height between 650-670'.


Raising the possibility that the building boom will provide a couple of 400'ers 500'ers and at least four 600' + towers.


This rendering is from GrowinUp who tweaked the origional proposal.





Special thanks to LooknUp (who has the inside scoop)
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Last edited by urban_encounter; Dec 14, 2005 at 12:34 AM.
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  #87  
Old Posted Dec 14, 2005, 6:13 AM
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Whoa! Where is that one located?
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  #88  
Old Posted Dec 14, 2005, 6:47 AM
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^^^ that one is nice
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  #89  
Old Posted Dec 14, 2005, 9:53 AM
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great thing about this tower is that it is only on part of a block, not even a half block. Plus, the next block over will have a 638' libeskind tower.
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  #90  
Old Posted Dec 14, 2005, 11:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colemonkee
Whoa! Where is that one located?
The location is where the Grand Ballroom is currently. Directly across from the Sheraton Grand Hotel, on J street between 12th and 13th street.
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  #91  
Old Posted Dec 15, 2005, 7:26 PM
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Have they broken ground on Aura yet?
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  #92  
Old Posted Dec 15, 2005, 8:26 PM
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^ For Aura, utilities are currently being put in, so depends on what you consider ground breaking.
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  #93  
Old Posted Dec 17, 2005, 2:25 AM
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Another Condo Tower proposed for DT





(Special thanks to LooknUp who scanned and posted this in the California forum)
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  #94  
Old Posted Dec 17, 2005, 6:18 PM
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High Density Residential/Office/Retail (Updated 4/15/06)

24 Towers proposed/planned/approved/ or under construction. (Not including Railyards or Docks proposals)

Approximately 22,984 Residential units proposed/planned/approved/ or under construction for the downtown/midtown/combined waterfront area.





Currently under construction:


* 25 story/400' 621 Capitol Mall, office tower. Developer David Taylor.

*15 story Marriott Residence Inn & Condominiums 239 hotel rooms/30 Condos top three floors

*Plaza Lofts 225 Lofts/22,000 sf retail (CIM Group)

* L street Lofts 8 stories 92 Lofts 5,850 sf ground floor retail (Sotiris Kolokotronis)

*1850 L street 176 units/9,600 sf retail (Sotiris Kolokotronis)

*Capitol Terrace 21st & L street 65 units/3,000 retail (St. Anton)

*19th & O 10 lofts/10,000 sf ground retail

*12th & K (Old Sears Building) 12 Lofts on the 3rd & 4th floors/Ground floor retail

*9th & K (Former Hale Dept Store/office building) 33 Lofts

*North End Lofts II 14th & H street 11 Lofts

*H street Lofts approximately 8-10 Lofts

*IronWorks (Triangle Area Of West Sacramento) 180 Lofts

*Globe Mills 12th & c street 143 Flats/Lofts

* Upper Eastside Lofts (Transit Oriented mixed use Development Planned are 140 units adjacent 65th street RT Metro station) Ravel Rasmussen Properties/partnering with Separovich Domich.

*East End Gateway (16th & O NW Corner) 34 Lofts (Loftworks)

*East End Gateway (16th & O SW Corner) 56 Units/ground floor retail

*Whiskey Hill Lofts (30 lofts and carriage houses at 21st and S streets/Rite Aid Drug Store, just one block from the Meridian project. (Paul Petrovich).

*1531 L street Firestone Building (Dining/Retail) Cordano http://www.cordanoco.com/project_pdfs/firestone3.pdf

*M.A.A.R.S Project (Midtown Area Art, Retail Scene in Sacramento's Lavender Heights/Midtown)
Heller Pacific http://www.hellerpacific.com/mars-1.html



Approved/Awaiting start of construction:


* Twin 54 story towers, "The Towers" 301 Capitol Mall (615 ' each) 800 Condos/276 room Intercontinental Hotel & Ground floor retail SACA development. Non refundable deposts being taken at this point and continuing through April. Cal Pers is investing $100 in equity for this project. (Estimated Construction start May 2006)

*Aura 39 story 440' residential tower 615 Capitol Mall (Approx 282 Condos) ground Floor retail). BCN Development (Est Construction start March 2006). Final Approval given 10/27/05. 75% of the units sold (15% non refundable deposits) in 3 day sales event. (Estimated Construction start May 2006)

*11th Street Lofts (11th & R street behind exisitng 3 story brick building) 14 Live Work Lofts

*12th Street Lofts (12th & R street) 16 Live Work Lofts

*Capitol Lofts/CADA Warehouse 122 lofts/condos (Spring 2006)

*East End Gateway (16th & N) 130 units with ground floor retail (Lambert Development)

*East End Gateway (16th & P) 34 units

*SoCap Lofts (Phase I) 32 high density loft style homes North side of R street between 6th and 7th street (2006)

*Alchemy on R Street, High density residential townhomes/lofts N. side of R street between 26th and 27th street

*McNamme Townhomes S.E. Corner of 26th and R streets

*Cooper Union Building 16th & H street 13 units/ground floor retail







Planning Process:


*50 story mixed use tower "Epic" 638' 12th & I street BCN Development. (Est start of construction mid 2006)

*56 story residential tower "Capitol Grand" 13th & J street (estimated 700+'?), undetermined # of Condos/192 room Hilton Garden Inn. Mo Mohanna/John Lamberth (Est start of construction 2006)

*38 story condo tower 'The Metropolitan' 10th & J street, 35,000sf Retail, 330 Residential Units. John Saca Developer

*31 story mixed highrise 701 L street. To have 70-80 apartments (top 12 floors) 160,000 sf ground floor retail/ 233,310 sf office Tower Development (Est Cont start 2006/2007)

*25 story office building (Privately Financed) 500 Capitol Mall (Tsakopoulis family trust) Est construction start 2006

*2 Towers, West End State Office Complex, Option #3 a 20 and 26 story tower (with nearby housing)

*23 story residential tower 11th & J street with 200 units. St. Anton/Cordano Development (Est Construction start 2006)

*23 story Meridian Palza Phase II (Office Building) 15th and K street Tony Giannoni Developer

*21 story tower 8th & I street 295 condos with office
and retail (D.R. Horton of Texas)

*Raley's Landing West Sacramento Mulitple towers:
1) 'River One' is an 18 story 150+ unit residential tower 245,000sf commerical and 42,000 Restaurant/Retail
2) Washington street property 6 story 550 residential units (Panattoni Development)

and........

3) 'River Two' is a 18 story 150 unit residential tower (Site and proposal now controlled by CalSTRS)
4) 'River Three' CalSTRS $180 million HQ, is a 14 story 400,000 sf and 20,000 sf office/retail complex/ HOK Architects.


* Downtown Plaza (Remodel) Addtition of new anchor store and relocation of theaters as well as Plaza improvements. (Westfield)

*3,000 condos/lofts (West Sacramento Riverfront) Friedman/Rumsey Band. Estimated construction start 2007

*UP Railyards 10,000 housing units/ground retail (application submitted to the City Millenia Associates) pending sale of UP railyards.

*"North Town North" 2,723 residential units or (1,831 apartments, 891 houses and 792 condominiums) 75k sf retail at 7th Street and Richards Boulevard. Developer: Capitol Station 65 LLC

*SoCap Lofts (Phase II) 32 high density loft style homes South side of R Street between 6th and 7th street (2007)

*Cal Pers High density housing project on the South Side of R street between 3rd and 4th street



Proposed:


*Two towers 20 and 15 stories, mixed use office/condos towers proposed by John Freguson. The site is
south of the 13th Street RT Metro (Light Rail) station, The station sits between R and Q streets.

*Sacramento Docks Project. 35 Acre Riverfront High density residential, dining, riverfront park (South of Old Sacramento). San Francisco's Kenwood Investment.

*Jiboom Street Partners (PG&E Power Station). 15 story riverfront residential highrise, to include refurbishment of the historic PG&E Building, possible Science and Space Museum (and Planetarium), as well as restaurants and an Amphitheater. (D.R. Horton of Texas)

*9th & L street 15 story officer tower (Cordano Development)

*10 & K street 150 apartments 80 condos 60,000 sf entertainment/retail (Taylor/CIM) pending council agreement.

*800 block of K street (Two Towers) with 500+ residential units and 107,330 sf retail (Saca/Lamberth/Mohanna) pending council agreement.

*San Diego developers Meridian announced plans to build 61 single-family homes on the site of an office building at 21st and U street, 45 detached three-story townhouses 16 units will be 1,000-square foot carriage houses sitting atop garages.



Residential Units Proposed/Approved or Under Construction in the Greater Downtown/Midtown/Waterfront Areas

Currently Under Construction: 1,247 Residential Units

Approved/Awaiting start of construction: Approximate 1,451 Residential Units

Planning Process: 18,205 Residential Units

Proposed: Estimated 2,081 Residential Units


Total number of downtown/midtown/combined waterfront residential units in the pipeline: 22,984




Recently Complete

*Fremont Mews 118 Lofts/22,000 sf community garden

*16th & K street 23 lofts/ground floor retail (Loft Works)



If anyone has any corrections to what is listed above, please feel free to post it and I'll make any necessary changes.
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Last edited by urban_encounter; Apr 15, 2006 at 11:30 PM.
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  #95  
Old Posted Dec 19, 2005, 6:22 AM
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Really cool article about all the loft activities going on in Sacramento.


http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifest...14815489c.html


Lofty goals
Young professionals and empty-nesters are exchanging big houses for compact convenience

Robert Barrientos represents a species of inhabitant heretofore nonexistent in Sacramento, a town religiously devoted to the propagation of single-family homes; the manic cultivation of enviable lawns; the stupor of plodding, aggravating commutes.
Loft dweller, circa 2005.

Traits: Has cash. Eats out a lot. Abhors Tuscan style. Knows valet parkers by first name. Folks at Mikuni think he has stock in company. Likes to party.

Barrientos, 35, is the new urban professional. He's a cool guy with a very cool place. He lives in a corner loft above Mikuni on the fourth floor of the Elliott Building, once an auto dealership, now the reigning prototype of smart, metropolitan renewal. That rave cocktail of retail and residential mix that urban planners are pounding down like meteors.

"I have friends in the City," he says, waving a hand about his premises. (Note: All cool people have friends in San Francisco.) "They look at Sacramento as a country town, a place without culture. But they come up here, and they can't believe it! They can't believe that there is a loft like this above a restaurant like Mikuni. They can't believe the view."

The view is utterly believable.

What's unbelievable is the price.

Barrientos pays $4,100 a month in rent, which makes his 1,100-square-foot loft, his floor-to-ceiling windows on the world, his champagne aerie, perhaps the most expensive bachelor pad in Sacramento.

But it is spectacular. It has a polished wood floor, modern furnishings from Limn, concrete countertops, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and not a single drapery in sight. It also has a catwalk deck outfitted with a gas grill and a treadmill.

It suits his lifestyle. "If you want to party, you don't have to drink and drive," he says. "After the bars close, we come here. We finish the night out. I can play my music as loud as I want."

Barrientos, who owns several companies here and abroad, says, "Sacramento is coming around.We're getting better restaurants. I think Mason's (at 15th and L streets) can compete with any restaurant in the City. But I think the average person doesn't know what's going on downtown."

That's because the average person doesn't live downtown.

But what's going on downtown are lofts.

Enough lofts to shelter a new generation.

According to City Councilman Ray Tretheway, who prefers to live in bucolic Natomas, about 3,000 lofts are in the planning stage for downtown. Such projects as Plaza Lofts with 225 lofts at Ninth and J, Library Lofts with 300 lofts at Eighth and I, L Street Lofts with 92 lofts at 18th and L, and the Upper East Side Lofts with 135 lofts at 65th Street and Folsom Boulevard.

"It's healthy," says Tretheway. "But my main question is: If we are going to have a brand-new neighborhood in downtown Sacramento, something that hasn't happened since the turn of the century, where are they going to buy pet food? Or a bottle of milk?

"We're going to have to think of (more) neighborhood services," he adds. "But we're also going to have new voices talking about the livability of downtown Sacramento after 5 p.m."

A few of those voices may be yelling "Shush!"

Michael Ault, head of Sacramento Downtown Partnership, points out that K Street is dotted by spacious loft projects atop existing retail. "Lofts present an interesting development opportunity," he says. "We're seeing an increased interest in urban living from people who want added amenities."

Before we all sell our boring homes and move downtown, let's get a much-ballyhooed term straight, namely:

What is a loft?

" 'Loft' has become another way of saying apartment or condominium with a certain style, a certain quality of space," says Ron Vrilakas, an architect who has designed several loft projects. "The quality of space is more interesting, more invigorating. It's large and flowing, with windows that look out on an active street."

Lofts, too, typically feature exposed beams, ducts, conduits and trusses, harkening back to their first, less-stylish use as industrial buildings. With rents ranging from $1,200 and up, lofts are apparently not the solution for affordable housing.

Why are lofts so popular?

"For a lot of reasons," says Mark Friedman, whose company, Loftworks, has developed a number of projects, including the Elliott Building; O1 Lofts; and F65, a project at Folsom Boulevard and 65th Street that combines lofts and retail.

"First and foremost, it's an urban product. There is a cry and demand for something that is sophisticated and urban. It's really a product that attracts urban pioneers. People who are willing to take a risk."

The typical loft dweller, says Friedman and other observers of the subculture, comes from two demographic groups: young urban professionals with no kids and couples 55-plus with empty nests, eager to enjoy the city's growing attractions.

All are seeking less reliance on the car.

No one wants to manicure a lawn anymore.

David and Jennifer McLean fit the mold. Both are 30; he's an architect; she's a sign language interpreter. But they're also an anomaly in that they have a baby. That would be Caden, 6 months, who has reddish-brown hair, big brown eyes, and who skitters like a bug atop a carpet over a childproof concrete floor.

Two months ago, the McLeans moved into F65. Their loft boasts a soaring 18-foot ceiling, a steel spiral staircase, a mezzanine; one bath, a tidy kitchen, plus a loge balcony with a commanding view of a parking lot, a SMUD substation, the light-rail tracks and, quite often, explosive sunsets.

"I like lots of light," says Jennifer McLean. "I like concrete floors."

In the beginning, the two city natives did the traditional thing and bought a 2,000-square-foot home in West Lake, Natomas, for $342,000. "It was the American dream for a while," Jennifer says. "Until all the bills came. It was a gated community with a pool, a lake, etc. We didn't grow up that way."

So they sold their home for a sizable profit and downsized into a loft. With a three-year lease, they pay $1,400 a month. Their only complaint is a severe lack of storage and convenient parking.

"I like the fact that it's not typical," says David McLean. "That it's not your standard suburban feel. Being a designer, that's important tome. That's what drew us here. Why not?" He laughs, adding, "We're young. Let's do it while we still have the knees to climb up the spiral staircase."

A more typical loft dweller would be the McLeans' neighbor, Heath Kastner, 27, a commercial real estate broker with CB Richard Ellis. Kastner grew up in Lincoln and unhappily owned a home in Rocklin. "I made quite a change," says Kastner. "This is a unique style of living. It appealed to me."

In fact, just about everything crucial to Kastner's well-being is within reach at F65. He says, "Where else can you live and get a Starbucks coffee, a Jamba Juice, and what I think is the best burrito in town, at Dos Coyotes? I'm a busy guy. I need to have access to all the things I need. There's even an ATM machine in the project. Plus it's close to downtown."

Living in a loft has built-in appeal for a charming single guy. "People ask me where I live," says Kastner, who frequents all the downtown watering holes. "I tell them I live above a Starbucks at the corner of 65th and Folsom. They know what I'm talking about. Everybody wants to see the place."

Chris Lango, 41, lives in an alley loft behind Zócalo, a popular restaurant on Capitol Avenue at 18th Street. The building was once an auto dealership, which suits the former Motown native just fine. Lango is a sports producer at Channel 3 and sounds like your typical Oscar Madison type: an affable slob.

"The whole thing is a work in progress," he says of his loft, which is loosely decorated. "I'm not a designer, I'm a sports producer. But it's got a great vibe and feel to it. People who come in here all have the same reaction: 'Ah, this is cool!' "

Robert Barrientos, whom we left at the top of this story standing in loft splendor, is a Paso Robles native who once owned a home in Serrano, a place in El Dorado Hills widely regarded as the penthouse of suburban living.

"I liked it," he says, a bit unconvincingly. "It's a different world up there. I lived there for four years. What I really liked was that it was peaceful at night. You could go out and look at the stars."

Yeah, but how many stars can you look at?

How many times can you dine at Masque?

So, he sold his 3,200-squarefoot home for a ton of dough, and moved downtown. "It's really convenient," he says of his loft. "I can take the elevator down and I'm at Mikuni. I know everybody at Mikuni. The joke is that Mikuni is my living room!"

And if he's too engaged to take the elevator, he calls Mikuni, and they send up a sushi party tray.

Barrientos, who is considering renting an adjacent loft for his office, finds himself driving less than ever. And if he does drive, he pulls up to the Elliott Building and tosses his keys to the valet parkers, who then stash his car for him.

Now that's urban living!

"Everything is within walking distance," says an amazed Barrientos of his fast, slowpaced lifestyle. "My life has definitely changed for the better."
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  #96  
Old Posted Jan 7, 2006, 6:49 AM
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Sacramento's own version of South Waterfront Park?

Quote: LOOKnUP This is in this weeks newsstand Sac. Business Journal

Treasure Island rebuilder Top Pick for Docks Venture

Some of the same people picked to help remake Tresure Island and
the Ferry Building have been tentatively chosen to develop "the docks",
a choice piece of property on the downtown Sacramento riverfront.
A knowledgeable source says the Economic Development Department
will advise the city council to select a development team headed by San
Francisco's Kenwood Investments. The docks total 35 mostly vacant acres
between Capitol Mall and Broadway, but the specific area in question is the
23 acres north of Pineer Bridge. About 14 acres could be developed, and
could hold hundres of homes. City officals sent out a request for qualifications
in October, this month they choose five finalists from the eight developers
who responded.

^ There is more on the history of the dock and the developers but I'm
not going to type it in.



This is a PDF off the city web site showing one of three designs.


The City and County of Sacramento recently voted to cede control of the Port of Sacramento to the City of West Sacramento, which will allow the sale of surplus Port land, allowing the City and County to receive $35 million. That $35 million will be used for riverfont improvements along the Sacramento side of the river. The Docks (I guess it can be said) is Sacramento's version of Portland's South Waterfront Park. This represnts a real opportunity for Sacramento to make a huge impact all along the waterfront, from Miller Park down to Discovery Park, bringing residents, entertainment, retail and dining.

Here is a link to the selcted development group, San Francisco's Kenwood Investments.

http://www.kenwoodinvestments.com/

Let's just hope the Council doesn't drop the ball on this project....

BTW special thanks to LOOKnUP for breaking down the article and providing a copy of the rendering....
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  #97  
Old Posted Jan 7, 2006, 10:27 PM
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UCD planning $250 million Biomedical Research Park in Sacramento

Excerpts taken from todays Sacramento Business Journal 1/6/06


UC Davis is exploring a plan to build a 500,000 square foot health sciences reaserch park on it's medical center campus in Sacramento to house it's booming research program and provide space for private companies that want to take the ideas to market.

It's unclear where the money for the $250 million project would come from, because of strict borrowing limits at the university. There's talk of a public-private partnership that would get most of the money from someplace other than the university.

One plan floated in mid 2004- and endorsed by the Sacramento City Council-would form a nonprofit public benefit corporation tentatively named University Research Partners. The group was then expected to include the university, City of Sacramento, Sacramento Trade and Commerce Corp. and Metro Chamber of Commerce.

"It's unique; it's never been done before," said Barbara Hayes, executive director at SACTO. "The project will make a big difference for biotechnology startups and medical device related companies here in the region."

Financing could come from tax-exempt bonds issued by the city or another entity. The nonprofit would own and develop the research facilities on 10 acres owned by the university health system on Stockton Boulevard, south of Shriners Hosptial and north of Broadway. Once built UC Davis and private companies would lease space.
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  #98  
Old Posted Jan 8, 2006, 5:07 AM
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This is the updated rendering of the Capital Grand Tower

Old Rendering/Proposal 38 story Mixed use Residential/Hotel



New Rendering 56 stories Mixed Use Residential, Hotel and Office
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  #99  
Old Posted Jan 8, 2006, 5:26 AM
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My estimation of Capitol Grand Tower is 750' (228.6m) w/ spire

Last edited by enigma99a; Jan 8, 2006 at 6:37 AM.
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  #100  
Old Posted Jan 8, 2006, 5:32 AM
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^Is that height official? I am willing to diagram it when I get a chance.
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