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Sutter Street Plan a Mixed Bag
A conceptual plan for redoing the street and sidewalks of
Sutter Street has passed both the Historic District Commission and the
Redevelopment Agency Board (aka City Council). In a letter to the City
Council before their approval, the HPL Board took positions in support of
historic authenticity and had very mixed feelings about this approval. The
concept plan calls for removal of the medians, some of the shed roofs, and
some of the approximately eight-foot-wide sidewalks. They would be replaced
with two adjacent travel lanes, 20-foot sidewalks on either side (to allow
for outdoor dining, street furniture, etc., plus 4-5 parking spaces per
block face), and new overhangs, depending on individual property owners’
desires. It is clear that the medians, which are not quite 50 years old,
will have to be removed. Under the median and part of the existing street
pavement is a 2±-foot-thick concrete roadway that used to be U.S. 50. The
trees were planted on top of it. The underground infrastructure is very old
and in need of replacement. The question became not whether to remove the
medians but whether to replace them, and right now the momentum is toward
wider sidewalks instead of a median. The HPL Board motion was in support of
the existing median design. Removal of the sidewalks is a significant
historic concern. Until just before the hearings no one in the process
realized that large parts of the sidewalks in the 700 and 800 blocks date
back to 1905! Changing the configuration of the sidewalks may also be a
significant impact to four National Register properties (three listed and
one determined eligible), which could diminish their historic integrity and,
therefore, their significance as historic resources. It could also
jeopardize the Historic District’s eligibility for the National Register as
changing the sidewalks could change the setting, feeling, design, materials,
and workmanship of the commercial district. Also, the sidewalk itself is a
cultural resource, as is the historic U.S. 50. HPL’s motion was in support
of the historic sidewalks, and we will continue to work to preserve them.
The wooden shed roofs constructed in the 1960s are deteriorating and are not
consistent with the design of the overhangs which used to be in front of
many of the stores a hundred years ago. The City anticipates working with
individual property owners on removal and/or replacement. The Redevelopment
Agency’s current façade improvement program offers up to $10,000 each to
property owners interested in upgrading. The HPL motion supported designing
overhangs appropriate to each individual building and consistent with the
earlier design, i.e., lathe-turned posts and a shallower roof pitch than
that of the shed roofs built in the 1960s, which mask the buildings. The
next stage in the process is preparation of a final design. As several
people said to the City Council, the devil is in the details. The consultant
will submit proposals to the Streetscape Committee convened by Jeff
Ferreira-Pro. The City’s Code requires that new construction in the Sutter
Street Subarea of the Historic District be consistent with the 1850-1900
time period, but it will require vigilance to get it right. The HPL Board’s
final motion was a vote of confidence in Jeff Ferreira-Pro. He has thus far
been successful in getting warring factions to talk to each other, and we
hope for continued success in communication. The question became not whether
to remove the medians but whether to replace them, and right now the
momentum is toward wider sidewalks instead of a median. The HPL Board motion
was in support of the existing median design. Removal of the sidewalks is a
significant historic concern. Until just before the hearings no one in the
process realized that large parts of the sidewalks in the 700 and 800 blocks
date back to 1905! Changing the configuration of the sidewalks may also be a
significant impact to four National Register properties (three listed and
one determined eligible), which could diminish their historic integrity and,
therefore, their significance as historic resources. It could also
jeopardize the Historic District’s eligibility for the National Register as
changing the sidewalks could change the setting, feeling, design, materials,
and workmanship of the commercial district. Also, the sidewalk itself is a
cultural resource, as is the historic U.S. 50. HPL’s motion was in support
of the historic sidewalks, and we will continue to work to preserve them.
The wooden shed roofs constructed in the 1960s are deteriorating and are not
consistent with the design of the overhangs which used to be in front of
many of the stores a hundred years ago. The City anticipates working with
individual property owners on removal and/or replacement. The Redevelopment
Agency’s current façade improvement program offers up to $10,000 each to
property owners interested in upgrading. The HPL motion supported designing
overhangs appropriate to each individual building and consistent with the
earlier design, i.e., lathe-turned posts and a shallower roof pitch than
that of the shed roofs built in the 1960s, which mask the buildings. The
next stage in the process is preparation of a final design. As several
people said to the City Council, the devil is in the details. The consultant
will submit proposals to the Streetscape Committee convened by Jeff
Ferreira-Pro. The City’s Code requires that new construction in the Sutter
Street Subarea of the Historic District be consistent with the 1850-1900
time period, but it will require vigilance to get it right. The HPL Board’s
final motion was a vote of confidence in Jeff Ferreira-Pro. He has thus far
been successful in getting warring factions to talk to each other, and we
hope for continued success in communication.
Orangevale Ave. Bridge Revamp Underway
The Orangevale Avenue Bridge, which was heading for
demolition, is to be rehabilitated and preserved. Constructed in 1915, the
bridge (called the Gold Creek Bridge by Caltrans) is located on Orangevale
Avenue in Folsom. This is the oldest automobile bridge in Sacramento County
and it currently meets the criteria for listing on the National Register of
Historic Places with application to the National Register underway. A major
historical factor is that this bridge was part of the Lincoln Highway that
ran from the East Coast to the West Coast almost 100 years ago. The concrete
railings will be replaced with an authentic historic look amidst other
concrete repair work. Our League is working cooperatively with city staff to
achieve this preservation goal. Currently, the City Public Works Department
has retained Dokken Engineering to develop the criteria for a rehabilitation
plan. The project schedule for any rehab project is dependent upon the
results of this forensic study. The extent of rehabilitation will correct
any structural deficiencies in the structure. If all goes well and barring
unknown issues, the rehab project will be completed sometime during the next
year. Financing for this project exists in the current Publics Works budget
and the City received a grant from Caltrans to pay for a large portion of
the work.
And a Fun, and Informative, Time Was Had by All at the
Last HPL Meeting
It was a full house at the historic Landmark Baptist Church
on October 1 when HPL held its fall general membership meeting. The program
included a film that profiled Artie Davies life and Mormon Island, followed
by our Reclamation Department presentation on Folsom’s new Bridge and Dam
modification underway, closing with a stellar presentation by
representatives from our number one Sutter Street Stage Nine Theater. The
evening started with board member Jeff Ferreira-Pro’s brief overview (in the
absence of President Patrick Maxfield), of what HPL has been up to,
including the Orangevale Ave. Bridge, the Nimbus Winery and the recognition
that HPL has gained in the area of historic preservation at the county
level. This is due to the committed efforts of two HPL board members, Nancy
Percy and Loretta Hettinger. During the course of dealing with the County
Board to preserve the Nimbus Winery building, they pointed out the county’s
lack of any provisions to protect unincorporated historic properties or
assets. As a result the board of supervisors directed staff to initiate a
workshop to establish a historic preservation program that will likely go
the direction of adoption of county ordinances. Staff upon completion will
implement programs to ensure historic assets have provisions provided to
protect them. The program proceeded with a movie reeled professional
production that showcased our local luminary, Artie Davies. It was a
touching tribute that included some particularly moving candid moments of
the Artie and Bud Davies family farm life over the years on Mormon Island
during the thirties and forties, followed by their subsequent move in 1951
that was prompted when the Dam was projected to cover the Davies homestead.
They packed up and picked up, rolling their two homes to Natoma St., where
Artie still resides today. This was a memorable movie. Next, Bureau of
Reclamation representatives Pauline Calvillo and Kathy Marlow gave an
informative presentation on the History of Folsom Dam during the past 50
Highlighted were modifications currently underway on Folsom Dam and the
mammoth project of constructing our new bridge to access the East side of
Folsom that will be used in place of our formerly used Folsom Dam Bridge. We
learned about the American River water education Center that has many
exciting and fun interactive activities for the whole family. This is the
place to learn about the Folsom Dam too, they welcome visitors from
everywhere. The newly located Center is open 9:00am to 4:00pm Monday through
Friday, located at 7794 Folsom Dam Rd. in Folsom. For more information call
916.989.7275 or go to
www.usbr.gov/mp/arwec In a return engagement, Connie Mockenhaupt and
Mike Jimena of the Stage Nine Theater, located at 717 Sutter Street, updated
HPL members on their theater expansion and the new second location on Sutter
Street, which is now exclusively for the Stage Nine Entertainment shop. The
Theater is featured as the #1 spot in the list of Sacramento’s top 50
must-see performances in this October’s issue of “Sacramento” Magazine. Also
featured, yet again, in the November issue of “Sacramento” Magazine as
editors pick, “both highlighting the entertainment shop as well as the
theater,” says HPL’s event coordinator Kathryn Corbett. In this presentation
we were updated on the theater expansion and the new second location on
Sutter Street that is now exclusively for the Stage Nine Entertainment shop
and we were given an overview of the many activities attached to the Actors
Theater as well as upcoming events and activities. Kids and grownups will
love the young peoples theater production of “Song of Sixpence” currently
running till November 25. You can still catch the musical Off-Broadway
series production “You’re a good man Charlie Brown” playing till November
25th. The popular play is back by popular demand this yuletide season
“Holiday in the Hills” running November 30 to December 30. For more
information on upcoming productions call (916) 353-1001 or go to
www.stageninefolsom.com.
HPL Watch Updates
Chinese Diggings:
The Heritage Preservation League continues to urge the City to
develop the Diggings as a visitor attraction, and, because the City now owns
the property, to take the final steps to get the site on the National
Register of Historic Places. The proposal to build a Hotel along the Light
Rail line at Highway 50 and Folsom Boulevard, below the Diggings, will be
resubmitted soon. The last proposal for a hotel on this property was
referred back to the developer by the City Council in 2005. HPL is
monitoring this proposal.
Nimbus Winery:
HPL has been involved since December 2006 in trying to prevent the
total make-over of the historic Nimbus Winery. This differs from HPL’s other
preservation efforts because on this project we have been involved with the
County government. The latest: The County’s Design and Review Board, just
established in 2006, is a Board of architects from the private sector who
are charged with commenting on the architectural merits of all projects. It
has no real power, just influence. They have instructed the developer to
respect the history of the Nimbus Winery, and not to try to avoid the
project review processes by submitting building permits one building at a
time, (three new retail sites, and a five-story condominium) planned for the
parking lot of the Winery. Now the architect for the project must submit
plans for the winery building itself to the Design and Review Board, before
any more approvals are given.
Cohn Mansion:
The plaque is now scheduled to be ready in February-March, 2008.
Watch for a public announcement of this momentous event!
The Heritage Preservation League Wants You!
In just a few months, HPL will be electing its 2008
officers. This is your chance to get involved at the ground level. No
special skills are required—just a little bit of time and a commitment to
preserving Folsom’s rich heritage. The board of directors, which consists of
a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and several directors at
large, meets monthly. The election of 2008 officers will be held in January
at the next HPL general membership meeting. For more information about
serving on HPL’s board of directors and duties, contact either Patrick
Maxfield at 989-5524 or Loretta Hettinger at 990-0719.
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