Newsletter

January 2006

Renewed Hope with Revitalization Project

By Jeff Ferreira-Pro

I’ve lived in Folsom’s Historic District for 25 years. During that time, lots of changes have happened in and around the neighborhood. Many of my neighbors seem to share the feeling that too many of these changes were not improvements. Traffic, parking, and security concerns have been on people’s minds. The recent opening of the light rail station seemed to deepen many people’s sense of dread.

Lately I’ve gotten to know more of the merchants. They too have been worried. Some (but not all) have felt that there aren’t as many customers as there used to be. They don’t all agree on what’s wrong. Some say it’s the traffic. Others blame the economy, competition from other shopping centers, or just lack of cooperation within the district itself. Many property owners in the commercial district are reluctant to spend money on their buildings because they fear even minor repairs could trigger a reassessment and higher taxes or force them to make more costly repairs to bring their buildings up to today’s building code requirements.

Some on the city staff seem to feel that when they try to help the merchants, the residents are unhappy…, but pleasing the residents irritates the merchants. If they do nothing, that angers both groups who complain that the City had abandoned the district. And then there are those prickly historic preservationists…who don’t want to change anything (smile).

As I first approached people about revitalizing the district, many would just roll their eyes, wish me luck, and walk away. Despite all this, I believe a renewed sense of hope is emerging from underneath all the anxiety. I’ve been delighted to have had an opportunity to play a small part in nudging this transformation forward.

I’m talking about the Historic District Revitalization project being led by the Folsom Economic Development Corporation. FedCorp was given a contract by Folsom’s City Council to find a way to boost the economic status of the district. I was hired as the full-time project manager.

The project is about economics, but it really goes much deeper than that. Our approach has been to think of the Historic District as an amazingly complex interconnected jigsaw puzzle consisting of the residents, merchants, employees, property owners, city staff, public officials, history lovers, developers, bicyclists, commuters, and many others. But in addition to the people, the district is also defined by its proximity to Lake Natoma, its architecture, its role as a transportation hub, and, oh yes, its rich and complex history. Above and beyond that, there’s this elusive idea of a sense of “place” that sets the district apart.

The project is about taking advantage of all of these elements to help this place become more fully appreciated by our own community as well as by visitors from around the world, many of whom already think of this as a special place. Our fundamental assumption is that by enhancing that sense of place, an economic boost will naturally follow.

What we’ve done thus far is bring together everyone we could find (160+ on our distribution list) from the various stakeholder groups, and help them find constructive ways to talk to each other and find common ground. We held four community workshops and took a field trip to other towns and cities that have made good use of their community assets.

In the stakeholder meetings we brainstormed a long list of the district’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. We prioritized that list of 245 topics, and examined the top three (tenant mix, parking, and circulation) in greater depth. We still need to examine streetscapes and historic assets before we’ll have pieced together all the main elements of our vision.

The next steps are to refine the community’s ideas into implementable projects. The intent is to keep the community involved. We’re proposing to continue with community workshops on a monthly basis. The next meeting is tentatively set for Dec. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Landmark Baptist Church, 609 Figueroa Street.

I firmly believe that, as it progresses, the revitalization effort will demonstrate the power and wisdom of this community that shares a common passion for our Historic District and a united energy for working our rich palette of assets into an even more wonderful place to live, work, play, and invest than it is today.

For more details about the Revitalization Project, go to www.folsomedc.com/revitalization/. If you’d like to get involved with the project or just be on the mailing list, please let me know. Contact me at 985-2996 or ferreirapro@earthlink.net.

Railroad Block Parking Structure Update

At The Folsom Historic District Association Design Committee, City staff and Councilmember Eric King have recently held meetings regarding the design of the Railroad Block parking structure.

In October, Chong Partners presented a tentative drawing to the Historic District Commission for comment.  Members of the FHDA Design Committee felt the building design was totally inappropriate for the RR Block site. Since that time and as a result of these additional meetings, the design has been altered greatly. The all-brick building now includes awnings and softer look. Trees have been added along the Leidesdorff side and additional architectural features have been added. There are retail spaces along the east side.  The building, which is modeled after the large warehouse-like buildings that once occupied the RR Block, contains 330 parking spaces, on three and a half levels and stands 35 feet tall.

The majority of the Design Committee members would still like to see more retail or possibly residential incorporated into the structure. It is felt that this would help to offset some of the cost and then more of the parking could go underground. Chong Partners has agreed to add some retail space to the side of the structure facing the plaza and return to the group with revised drawings.  It is the City’s desire that construction begin next year.

Recent Historic District Commission Actions

In October, the Historic District Commission welcomed new Commissioner Jennifer Lane.  She replaced Jeff Ferreira-Pro as the Historic District resident representative. It was necessary for Jeff to resign from the Commission because of his new position as Historic District Revitalization Project Manager. Jeff served many years on the Commission and was Chairman when he resigned.  Under his leadership, many positive changes to properties in the district were seen.  HPL is looking forward to him accomplishing even more in his new position.

On Nov. 16^th, the Commission approved the new mixed use building that will be located on the corner of Scott & Sutter.  Many of you will recall that Doug Scalzi attended an HPL general membership meeting to get our comments on this project. This beautiful addition to the Sutter Street area will provide office and retail space as well as two levels of parking underneath the building.

Also at that meeting, the Commission approved the application from Sue & Jerry Mehring to have the Bradley House listed on the Folsom Cultural Resources List.  Hopefully this will encourage others to do the research necessary to have their properties listed.  There will now be a complete history of this early Folsom home on file at the City and at the Folsom History Museum.

HPL Asks City for Action on Orangevale Ave. Bridge

On November 5^th, Heritage Preservation League of Folsom President Patrick Maxfield delivered a letter to City Manager Martha Lofgren requesting two actions.

First that the City conduct a trial “one lane operation” of the bridge. It is HPL’s position that if a one lane operation is found feasible, it will not be necessary to expend City monies to build a new bridge next to the current one.

Second that the City remove the 10-ton load limit sign so that City fire emergency vehicles will be able to use the current bridge.

Attached to the letter was the 5/2003 Caltrans Bridge Inspection Report that states the load limit sign is not necessary.

Special Projects Committee to meet Jan. 21

The next meeting of the Special Projects Committee will be on Jan. 21st at 9 a.m. at the Folsom History Museum, 823 Sutter St.

To date, six completed Cultural Resources Inventory Registration Forms have been submitted to the City with several others in the process of being completed.

We still have a long way to go. This is a project that you can work on as you have time.  If you would like to do research on a historic site in our city, please attend the next meeting.  contact Candy Miller at folsomcandy@sbcglobal.net or by calling 988-7699.

Mark Your Calendar for Feb. 17 Celebration!

On February 17, 2006, the City of Folsom will be holding a Commemorative Celebration at the Community Center to mark the 150^th anniversary of the arrival of the first train to Folsom. This not-to-be-missed event will feature1850s era food, dancing and entertainment. Period attire is encouraged.

In 1856 when the first train actually arrived, there was a “Gala Fete” held at the Meridith Hotel that lasted until 5 a.m. the next day! The event was even covered by San Francisco newspapers. This  2006 “ball” will be a more modest event: from 6 to 11 p.m. Look for ticket information in January. This will be the first of two events being planned to celebrate “150 Years of Folsom History.”  The second event is being planned for Saturday, April 1^st, and will include activities throughout the Historic District for the entire family. The next HPL Newsletter will contain additional information on both events.

Transcribers Needed For 78 Oral History Tapes

Ellen Hester, Manager of the Folsom History Museum’s Research Department has asked HPL for some help with a project to transcribe 78 oral history tapes. Each tape is estimated to take 10 hours to transcribe. These tapes are listed by who made them and the topic, so you are able to pick what you would like to “listen” to.  If you would like to volunteer to help with this project, please contact Ellen at the museum at 985-2707.