The first phase of the R Street beautification process was dedicated Thursday with a reception and lighting of the new arch at 10th and R streets in front of the Fox and Goose Public House.

“It’s a renaissance of renaissances,” said Jerry Way, director of the city’s Transportation Department.

“It means 150-plus years ago, this place got started, and today we’re celebrating the brand-new R Street in a way that everyone can celebrate, with artwork and features,” he added.

Completion of the more than $6 million project from 10th to 13th streets on Thursday was celebrated with a lighting of the streetlights and the iconic arch at 10th and R streets.

Image by: Brandon Darnell

Way added that the draw to the new R Street is that it’s attractive, and be it artwork, more street lighting or a revamped, pedestrian-friendly streetscape – “everyone can find something to come down here for,” he said.

The next phases of construction down the corridor – beyond 13th Street and continuing to 19th Street, are being lined up for community design grants. The next phases include the R Street Market Plaza, which will open up an area for businesses. To read more details on the plaza, click here.

It’s unclear, however, how the loss of redevelopment funding will affect the upcoming projects, Way said.

“The redevelopment scab, if you will, hasn’t formed over yet, and we’re waiting to see how that will pan out,” he said.

Artwork by Sacramento artist Vince Waker. (Image by: Brandon Darnell)

In the meantime, Sacramento designers celebrated the installation of the art, which was designed by a local business.

“We wanted to make sure it matched the historical nature of the buildings already on R Street and kind of reinvigorate the area,” said Brent Rector of Fuel Creative Group, the Midtown design studio that designed the arch.

Fuel Creative Group was also responsible for the signage and menus at Hot Italian and the signage at the McGeorge School of Law.

Rector said it was a team of three that worked on the arch, and it was collaboration with the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) to use older steel power poles as inspiration, which recalls the R Street corridor’s industrial past.

A functional bicycle rack inspired by the area's railroad history by Dino Grassini. (Image by: Brandon Darnell)

“With redevelopment funds getting eaten up, it’s probably one of the last projects like this that you’ll see in Sacramento, which is a shame,” he added.

Way said that the city expects to see the revamped R Street as a more attractive place for the mixed residential, industrial and commercial growth planners expect to come to the area.