Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "christopher cabaldon"

Broderick: stiff drinks, big portions coming to West Sacramento

2012-09-05T14:07:37Z

The owners behind a new restaurant and bar set to open in West Sacramento have plans that are both unpretentious and ambitious. They want to serve basic bar food at a reasonable price, and help spur development in a neighborhood that could use a boost.

Broderick, set to open at 319 Sixth St. in October, will be a working-class bar with stiff drinks, big portions and a no-frills, no-nonsense approach, according to manager and co-owner Chris Jarosz, who is also the operator of the Wicked ‘wich food truck.

"It will be real American bar food," Jarosz said. "No Nouveau California cuisine, no fusion this or that. It's just going to be pure, unadulterated, old-school Middle-American bar food: heavy-duty comfort food, but as good as it gets."

The menu is still in development, but Jarosz said he has items in mind like East Coast-style chicken wings (big, fat and meaty), monster burgers, Philly cheesesteaks – the kind of hearty bar food that goes down well with beer, which will also be available in abundance.

The food will be made from scratch and locally sourced, with produce coming from Feeding Crane Farms and farmers markets, according to Jarosz.

The restaurant's team consists of Jarosz and Matt Chong from Whicked ’wich, Steve Hamm and Marvin Maldonado from inFORM Design, and real estate broker Thaxter V. Arterberry, who owns the property and has run the Jazzy Blues Café at the spot for the last few years.

The idea for Broderick came about after Arterberry told Jarosz and Maldonado, whose wife runs the Gypsy Mobile Boutique, that he was interested in hosting food truck events at the Jazzy Blues Café, which was not in regular use.

When Maldonado went to see the restaurant, he said he quickly saw its potential. It had, he said, a unique authenticity that many restaurant owners and designers spend thousands of dollars to create. The low ceiling with dim lights, the old brick columns painted gray and the long, dark hickory bar with brass railings, as well as extra touches like the vinyl records on the wall, all helped to create a sense of a speakeasy, or intimidate corner bar.

"You walk into this place and it has the layers of paint, it has the years of artwork and memorabilia that you just don't find and you can't replicate it," Maldonado said.

Maldonado and Jarosz said they named the bar after the Broderick neighborhood in West Sacramento, which in turn was named after California State Senator David C.Broderick, an anti- slavery politician was killed in a duel with a pro-slavery politician in 1853.

They said they hope the restaurant can become part of the community. Jarosz said he has paid close attention to the way food trucks in cities such as Austin and Portland have helped draw businesses to underserved neighborhoods, drive up real estate values and rehabilitate struggling areas. He hopes Broderick and the food truck events they plan to host on the property can play a similar role in its section of West Sacramento.

“There has been a kind of media-driven stigma about the neighborhood, (and) even though it's transformed over the years, it's a little bit rough,” he said. “We wanted to embrace that and give the community something they can hold on to and be proud of.”

The Broderick team has met with West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, who said he thought having a restaurant serve as a hub for food trucks and mobile food events was a smart idea. The city, he said, ended most restrictions on the trucks long ago, and Broderick, which is near both downtown Sacramento and Raley Field, will be well positioned to succeed.

“These guys get the neighborhood, its unflinching pride, its storied heritage, its eclectic diversity, and its essential soul,” Cabaldon wrote in an email. “Just as important, they get the business fundamentals, taking advantage of huge number of residents and employees added to the area over the past few years plus the property’s strategic position for access by patrons from throughout the region’s urban core. Broderick was one of the very first settlements in the entire Sacramento region, and this new hotspot will remind us why.”

Maldonado, who also oversaw the recent remodel at Fox and Goose, will soon set to work on the restaurant's interior and the patio – which will hold 80 seats each. He said he’s excited by what he has to work with and thinks Broderick will offer an experience not easily found elsewhere in the Sacramento area.

“It wouldn't work in Midtown, it wouldn't in uptown, it's just one of those things – you’ve got to get off the grid to experience something like this,” he said. “Here's this gem. All it needs is a little bit of paint, a little bit of elbow grease, and it’s perfect."

Squeezin' into West Sacramento

2011-05-12T02:51:02Z

The original Squeeze Inn on Power Inn Road was made famous by Food Network’s Guy Fieri, who raved about their infamous cheese “skirt,” the restaurant’s twist on the classic cheeseburger. Since then it has opened up restaurants in Roseville and Galt.

Tuesday morning, the Squeeze Inn’s fourth location – at 1350 Harbor Blvd. in West Sacramento – officially opened its doors at 10 a.m.

The newest addition to the Squeeze Inn line is the biggest location so far, seating up to 80 people, according to West Sacramento Squeeze Inn’s publicist, Heather Atherton.

The Squeeze Inn has been a regular on the burger scene in Sacramento for at least 30 years according to co-owner Dave Chambers.

“We’ve always wanted to own our own restaurant, and we love the Squeeze Inn brand. It’s not fast food, and it’s so unique of a brand that it has this crave-ability factor, especially with the cheese skirt. There’s a strong following and we thought it was a great opportunity to start and own something we all loved,” Chambers said.

When Chambers says “we,” he is referring to his longtime friends and partners – Joe Mousley and Eric Ostberg.

The group also has a fourth silent investor who was the one that linked them with the original owner, Travis Hauser, to get the ball rolling on the project. The group were regulars at the Power Inn location, driving in from Roseville to get their Squeezeburgers with cheese skirt fixes.

Atherton mentioned that all three men had previous food industry experience.

“They’re all restaurant industry veterans, some from fast food and some from food services,” Atherton said. “So, there’s a really great depth of understanding of how to deliver great customer service and a really high-quality product.”

Chambers said they had looked at a number of potential locations in Natomas, Vacaville, Davis and Auburn. In the end, West Sacramento proved to be prime location as it was far enough out from the other locations, but close enough in proximity to draw from the original fan base. Chambers also said that it was a truly business-friendly environment.

Atherton seconded Chambers’ comments by saying how welcoming local officials had been.

“We had two soft openings last week to prepare everyone for Tuesday. Friday’s soft opening included a luncheon with the mayor, Christopher Cabaldon, and other officials as a thank-you before their Cap-to-Cap event, which conflicted with the grand opening. We wanted to give them an opportunity to experience the food for all their support,” said Atherton.

Both Atherton and Chambers said the soft openings last weekend had been very busy. Chambers said about 200 people came through on Friday and 500 on Saturday. He expected about 600 to 1,000 at the actual opening.

“There hasn’t been too much real marketing for the event,” Chambers said. “Most of the buzz was created by fans by word-of-mouth. The city and customers have expressed a lot of excitement about it.”

Though the doors wouldn’t open to the public till 10 a.m., the grand opening had an early start as Good Day Sacramento’s Mark S. Allen and Don Geronimo were there at around 6 a.m. helping to further generate noise about the new location with their chatter and antics, including a burger-eating contest with Allen against customers. To watch the contest, check out their website.

By 11 a.m., the restaurant was fully packed and the line was out the door and wrapped around the corner.

Nina Galvan works as a yard supervisor at Stonegate Elementary School and lives near the new location. It was her first time eating at any Squeeze Inn.

“My co-worker was raving about this place for months, and I had been wanting to go, but the other locations are a bit far from here,” said Galvan. “So when I heard about this location opening a few months ago, I was pretty excited to finally be able to try it.”

Galvan brought along her friend, Velina Gonzalez, who works for the city as a site leader for an after-school program.

“I’ve had a burger at the Power Inn location before, but that was years ago,” Gonzalez said. “It was pretty good from what I remember, so I’m glad this place opened up. It’s much closer.”

Both women planned on ordering the classic “Squeeze with Cheese,” with Galvan modifying hers with the addition of some avocado.

Jeff Garrick also came to the opening Tuesday. He’s a forklift driver at Tony’s Fine Foods and a West Sacramento resident.

“I used to work night shifts over at Crystal Milk near the Power Inn location, and my wife, Melissa, would always have me pick up a ‘Squeeze with Cheese’ on the way home ever since we saw them featured on the Food Network show (“Diners Drive-Ins or Dives”).”

The West Sacramento location will feature the same menu and hours as the others. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with all locations closed on Sundays.

For more information, visit the site or call the West Sacramento location at 371-6779.

Region asks NBA for another year with Kings

2011-04-22T01:35:14Z

Sacramento leaders asked National Basketball Association officials visiting Thursday to keep the Kings in Sacramento for at least another year while the region proves a new arena can be built – and an answer is expected May 2.

In a closed-door meeting at the state Capitol Thursday morning, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and other elected officials from the city and state asked the NBA to give the region a year to show they will be able to replace Power Balance Pavilion with a new home for the Kings.

Kings supporters also did their best to paint the town purple – waving purple-lettered signs outside City Hall, hanging Kings banners on buildings and dressing in the team's color. Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett, who chairs the NBA Board of Governor's Relocation Committee, even wore a purple tie to the NBA meetings in Sacramento.

An NBA delegation led by Bennett and Harvey Benjamin, an attorney, met with about 20 people, including Sacramento City Council members and state officials, in Steinberg's office. NBA officials, who will also be here Friday, didn't indicate which way they're leaning.

"We haven't got a commitment yet," Mayor Kevin Johnson said in a press conference outside the U.S. Bank Building Thursday. "The quicker we get word that (the) team is here for another year – that is a big statement. I think that will happen no later than May 2, as I understand it today."

In a second NBA meeting Thursday – this time with business leaders at the U.S. Bank Building – Bennett and Benjamin asked if the region's corporate community is ready to "sign on the dotted line" to provide $9.2 million in financial support if the Kings remain in Sacramento another year, Johnson said.

"Clay Bennett wanted to make sure these were hard commitments," he said, adding that corporate leaders responded, "Yes."

Pledges were raised in the last two weeks during an effort spearheaded by Sacramento Metro Chamber President Matt Mahood and the mayor. Businesses and corporate leaders came "out of the woodwork" to pledge money – including owners of small and medium-size businesses whose smaller pledges haven't been tapped into yet, Mahood said during the press conference right after the meeting.

ICON Venue Group President Tim Romani and others from the ICON-Taylor development team later gave NBA officials an update on the financial feasibility study they're doing for a new arena.

No Kings rallies were held Thursday, said Kings blogger Blake Ellington, who founded the Here We Stay movement to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

But he and other supporters of the effort to keep the team wore plenty of purple. Members of the SEIU labor union waved signs saying workers support the Kings being here at the corner of 10th and I streets, outside City Hall.

Artist Anthony Padilla spray painted a large statue of a book in Natomas with the words "Here We Build" in purple.

Tim Ahmadzai, owner of the Hometown Favorites sports store at Sacramento International Airport's terminal A, decked out the front of his store with purple balloons and Kings paraphernalia to welcome the NBA to town.

Renee Viehmann of Rancho Cordova and her weimaraner, Roxie, both dressed in purple and stood outside the U.S. Bank Building where they hoped to catch a glimpse of NBA officials.

"I just wanted to come down and show the purple and hopefully show the NBA we don't want them to go," she said.

About 20 people who were out and about on J, K and L streets in downtown and Midtown late Thursday afternoon were spotted wearing purple. There weren't many people walking around the grid at that time, but some Kings fans expressed their loyalty through purple shirts, ties and Kings jerseys.

On Friday, 28-year-old Alex Kramers, a financial analyst in New York, said he will lead 10 to 20 Kings fans to NBA headquarters at 645 Fifth Ave. at 1 p.m. EDT. Dressed in purple, they will rally outside and drop off letters asking NBA Commissioner David Stern to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

Kramers has never lived in Sacramento. He became a Kings fan in the early 1990s watching Mitch Richmond play. He's been a "fan correspondent" writing on the Kings website this year.

He discovered other Kings fans also live in New York when he showed up outside last week's NBA meeting at the St. Regis Hotel. They decided to rally together this week, he said.

"We've got some passionate fans," Kramers said.

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon also said the meeting with the NBA went well.

"They were asking the right questions, and anytime they tuned in to the radio or turned on the TV or even went outside, they can't help but see the support for the team," he said as he stood inside Capitol Bowl in West Sacramento.

"They're here getting our business strategy.... We may not have our I's dotted and our T's crossed, but we know how to make this work, and they see that the whole region is coming together."

Bowling alley Manager Chris White said the Kings have always been part of this region and she will be sad if they go. Kings players have been loyal customers, she said.

"I bought size 16 and 17 (bowling) shoes because the Kings would come here and bowl," she said Thursday afternoon. "Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson used to come here all the time and bring their friends and families."

But not everyone wore purple Thursday. Sacramento State student Jon Haas decided not to when he went into his internship at the Board of Equalization in the U.S. Bank Building Thursday.

"To be totally honest, I'd like the Kings to stay. But I'd like the Maloofs to go," he said, noting the Kings owners still owe the city millions of dollars. "It just seems like more trouble than it's worth."

After his morning meeting, Steinberg said NBA officials were "keeping their cards close to their chest" but he and others thought the meeting was very positive, said Steinberg spokeswoman Alicia Trost.

NBA officials are scheduled to do more fact-finding in town Friday, but no details were available.

Johnson and others appeared hopeful Thursday that the NBA wouldn't approve the Kings moving to Anaheim in early May.

"If we win today and if we get one more year, it's going to really boil down to our ability to build a new entertainment-sports complex," Johnson said. "People are going to want to know what's different. I think this is the beginning of hopefully something very positive going forward."

Staff reporters Brandon Darnell and Kathleen Haley contributed to this report. Suzanne Hurt is a staff writer for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.

Capitol Bowl to undergo renovation

2011-04-22T00:30:45Z

West Sacramento’s Capitol Bowl is getting a makeover this summer, adding a patio, upgrading the restaurant and knocking down walls in the 55-year-old business.

“We want to help our customers by improving our facility to give them better service,” said Capitol Bowl owner Ross Amin, adding that the business will be open during the remodel, which starts Monday.

The $600,000 project – which is scheduled for completion in July – is being well-received by customers interviewed by The Sacramento Press Thursday afternoon, including one longtime bowler, West Sacramento resident Rita Dodson.

“We’ve been coming here since 1968,” Dodson said, adding that her children played in leagues, and now she takes her grandchildren to the arcade and to toss a few balls down the lanes.

“I’m excited they’re doing this,” she said. “This place had been getting kind of run-down, but when Ross took it over (12 years ago), he started doing some really good things. The bathrooms are much nicer now, and I’m looking forward to the restaurant.”

The back half of the alley, with the lanes and seating areas, has all been redone: New scoreboards, pin-setters and other equipment were installed over the past few years, Amin said. The bathrooms were also renovated, and he said he is looking to bring the same type of renovation to the rest of the space.

The biggest feature in the renovated bowling alley will be the improvement of the snack bar into a full-service restaurant.

“We’re bringing in a kitchen manager over the summer for the first time, and we’re really making this place serve two purposes – a bowling alley and a restaurant,” Manager Chris White said. “We want to make this a destination for downtown.”

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said he is excited about the project as well.

“This project is a focal point of our Renaissance in downtown,” he said Thursday at the bowling alley. “It’s one of the most important places in the city, where people come together. This is also downtown Sacramento’s bowling alley.”

Situated two blocks from Raley Field and near the new community center and community college campus that opened over the past year, Cabaldon said the outdoor patio and restaurant – which are planned to be open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights – will be a much-needed dining destination downtown.

White said that burgers and pizza will feature prominently in the restaurant, since that’s what bowling alley patrons tend to want.

“I’m trying to add more healthy choices, but who knows?” she said.

Prices aren’t set yet, but White said they will be reasonable, as she wants to keep the family-owned business a place where families can afford to bowl and eat.

“Right now, a family of four can bowl for about $30,” she said.

Another major change will be in the bar area, which was originally a dark place with the same navy blue color everywhere except the floor – which was a dark red color.

“We’re going to have a U-shaped bar in the lobby, and we’ll be able to seat more people for live music shows,” White said.

Currently, the bar can only seat 46 people, and when live music is brought in on weekends, it doesn’t give bands much of an audience. Once the space is opened up, about 80 people will be able to see the musicians, with another 80 outside on the patio.

Ceilings will also be raised 2 feet, making the height between 12 and 14 feet throughout for a bigger feel inside, and they will be renovated as well to replace water-damaged panels from when the roof leaked years ago.

President and CEO of the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce Denice Seals said businesses like Capitol Bowl have a positive regional impact by drawing people to them and strengthening the other nearby businesses.

“All the pieces come together in projects like this,” she said. “Capitol Bowl has made a commitment to stay here and grow.”

White said starting the renovation during the recession was not an easy choice, and it was delayed from a planned start time of last year.

“We stepped back and took a breath, and I’m glad we did,” she said, “but we’re confident going forward.”

A party is being held Friday night to kick off the renovation and raise money for the Special Olympics, which has a bowling league at Capitol Bowl.

From 7 - 10 p.m., bowlers can get an hour of bowling and a pair of shoes ($10 for kids, $15 for adults) in the fundraiser, while a live DJ spins music for dancing in the bar area. A raffle will also be held with prizes donated by West Sacramento businesses.

Everyone at the party will be able to write on one of the interior walls, which will be destroyed on Monday.

“We’re saving a part of it, and we’ll take lots of pictures,” White said.

Capitol Bowl is open weekdays from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.

For updates during the construction, visit the construction blog here.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Fans, leaders roll out purple carpet for NBA

2011-04-21T01:20:32Z

A day before National Basketball Association representatives arrive in Sacramento, regional leaders gathered in the state capital Wednesday to show their support for what has until now been the city's effort to keep the Kings and build a new arena.

Kings fans and business leaders have launched a campaign called "Here We Purple" in anticipation of the NBA's arrival. The movement grew on Facebook and Twitter, where organizers are encouraging everyone in the city to paint the town purple and wear purple clothes Thursday and/or Friday.

Elected officials from as far away as Loomis, Yuba City and Yolo County joined Mayor Kevin Johnson for an hour-long meeting and press conference he held to drum up support for the team.

Johnson will meet with Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett, who chairs the NBA Board of Governor's Relocation Committee, and NBA Executive Counsel Harvey Benjamin on their two-day fact-finding mission here Thursday and Friday.

The Kings and the arena where they play have been regional assets that have brought jobs, business, marketing opportunities and a national identity to the six-county region – which includes Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Yuba and Sutter counties, several leaders said.

"The NBA and the Kings span the entire region. They are not simply part of the city of Sacramento. They are one of the region's most important assets," West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said during the press conference.

"We want to make it clear to the NBA that the entire region is standing behind Mayor Johnson, the city of Sacramento and the Kings to assure that the NBA remains a critical part of this community and this region," he said.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Kings fans and businesses used social media to get the word out on efforts to swathe Sacramento and its residents in purple.

Grange Restaurant and Bar will put the "Kings Preservation" cocktail on the menu Thursday. The Midtown bar Alley Katz is offering $1 purple beers Thursday. Restaurants, bars and a movie theater are offering freebies and special deals for customers dressed in purple. The Esquire IMAX Theatre will give away free popcorn to anyone wearing that color.

On Wednesday morning, about 36 people representing all six counties, six to eight cities and four chambers of commerce met with Johnson at the headquarters for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, across from the Capitol. City Councilmen Steve Cohn and Jay Schenirer took part. Representatives were also sent by state Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, state Sen. Ted Gaines and U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui.

Yolo County Supervisor Jimmie Yee said he wants to work with leaders from throughout the region to figure out how to build a new arena to replace Power Balance Pavilion and keep the Kings in Sacramento.

"An entertainment center, not just for NBA basketball, but for all entertainment, is a regional asset," Yee said.

On Wednesday, Johnson did not mention another option he raised before the NBA team owners last week: that a group led by billionaire Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle buy the Kings to keep them here or bring in another team.

Neither Burkle nor his investment partner, San Francisco political strategist Darius Anderson, have been available for more comment on their plan since the NBA meeting.

On Friday, NBA Commissioner David Stern indicated Johnson's "businesslike" approach and presentation to team owners were critical in getting the league to postpone the team's relocation request deadline to May 2.

No details were available on the NBA's visit or meeting with the mayor.

Several at the press conference outside Meridian Plaza, 1415 L St., credited Johnson with turning the conversation around in the last two weeks to refocus on a desire to keep the Kings and continuing the efforts to stop the team from moving to Anaheim.

In that time, Johnson has led a drive that's raised at least $8 million in pledges of financial support for the team in the form of corporate sponsorships, luxury suite sales or next season tickets. He made a pitch to stop the Kings from leaving the city or at least protect Sacramento's reputation as a viable NBA market when he appeared before NBA Board of Governors committees last week.

"It's really critical and I think it's phenomenal that we have been able to turn around that sentiment that, two weeks ago, felt like it was a done deal," Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President Steve Gándola said. "Today, I really feel we have a strong shot at keeping them here."

The Sacramento Press will turn its website purple Thursday. Kings supporters can post photos of people dressed in purple and other creative ways people show support for this effort at www.sacramentopress.com.

Rising Tide Foundation Donates $7,500 to Youth Mariners

2010-10-20T23:16:20Z

PHOTO:
West Sacramento’s Rising Tide Foundation donated $7,500 to the Sacramento Delta Youth Maritime Association during a work party last week on the association’s 78-foot boat docked along the West Sacramento waterfront. Holding the ceremonial check are (left to right) Chelsea Snedden, Julian Wright, Brannen Wright and Dana Eckler. Row Two: David Stroud, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, Samuel McDowell, Ian O’Bryan, Sean Aiken, West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce CEO Denice Seals, and Skipper Nate Eckler. Row Three: Bryan Turner, Yolo County Supervisor Mike McGowan, Boatswain Jakub Davis, Operations Officer Chris Pease and Heather Wright. Row Four: Executive Offer Jeremy Pease, Jim Aiken, Sailing Instructor Jeff Fraine and Engineering Officer Dan DeGroot. Back Row: Mark O’Bryan.

RISING TIDE FOUNDATION DONATES $7,500 TO YOUTH MARINERS

There’s a rusted old shrimp boat docked on the West Sacramento waterfront along South River Road, but it’s not another of the abandoned, sinking vessels that have dotted the shoreline over the years. It is a project of the Sacramento Delta Youth Maritime Association, a group of 18 mariners ranging in age from 12 to 17, and their adult leaders, who intend to turn the 78-foot boat into a training and exploration vessel. But it needs a lot of work.

The youth group will grind through decades of rust to extend the cabin, adding a galley, dining area and training facilities on the top of the boat, while turning the former shrimp holding tanks into separate bunk areas for boys and girls, with a head and shower for each. A small galley, which now adjoins the wheelhouse, will be expanded into quarters for the adult crew. Other improvement will be a retooled mast and exhaust system, according to the group’s adult leader, “Skipper” Nate Eckler.

Board members of West Sacramento’s Rising Tide Foundation toured the boat with Eckler and were determined to help, culminating in a donation of $7,500 during a work party on the boat last week. The crew of young workers stood at rapt, military-style attention as West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon and local developer David Stroud, chairman of the Rising Tide Foundation, presented the donation.

“The Rising Tide Foundation was founded under the premise that ‘a rising tide raises all ships’ and even within the comfortable borders of West Sacramento, there are people and projects in need of a boost,” said Stroud. “We are proud to provide that to this endeavor.”

To date, the maritime association has invested about $5,000 in the boat, which was built in Alabama in 1968 and christened the Saint Joseph before it navigated through the Panama Canal to Morro Bay where it served as a working shrimp boat. While en route from Morro Bay to West Sacramento in July, the starter on the big diesel engine failed, but the group completed repairs while being towed to the Golden Gate by a boat operated by a Sea Scouts troop in Napa. The group completed the last 12 hours under their own power. The vessel has been renamed the Neptune, with the boat’s new name embroidered on shirts and caps worn by the crew.

“With donations such as this and the continuing flow of support from the community, we expect to be seaworthy soon,” said Eckler.

Local leaders discuss regional sustainability

2010-08-28T01:06:35Z

Local leaders in the fields of politics, business and environmentalism gathered in Sacramento on Friday to brainstorm how the region could advance its efforts to become more economically and environmentally sustainable.

The Sacramento Metro Chamber’s “State of the Region” event focused on sustainability in the area’s communities.

Chamber spokesman Hal Silliman said more than 300 people attended the event, which was held at the Hyatt hotel downtown and included a panel of local leaders and a presentation from an Environmental Protection Agency analyst. Elected officials from around the region — including Davis, Sacramento, Folsom and Citrus Heights — listened to the panel.

Matthew Dalbey, a senior policy analyst with the EPA, told the audience the Sacramento area is renowned for its “Blueprint,” which serves as a guide on sustainable regional planning.

The “blueprint” was approved in 2004 by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments.

“You all know that the ‘blueprint’ is looked on as a model for communities across the country,” Dalbey said.

Still, Dalbey urged regional leaders to ramp up their efforts.

“In order to keep on keeping on, you’re going to have to do things better,” he said.

Specifically, Dalbey asked the region to consider how its sustainable planning process can improve the economic, environmental and public health situation of rural communities and small towns.

In the discussion that followed Dalbey’s comments, panelist and West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon countered Dalbey’s statement that the region should do a better job.

Cabaldon said he becomes frustrated with the federal government agencies working on sustainability efforts “because it seems like they’re so slow.”

He said the area’s leaders should press the federal government to move more quickly to fund the region’s sustainable projects.

Scott Syphax, another speaker on the five-member panel, said the banking industry needs to lend money to sustainable projects.

“The banking spigot is still fairly closed,” he said. To put Sacramento and the region back to work, "we’ve got to turn that back on.”

Syphax is the chief executive of the Nehemiah Corporation of America, a community group based in Sacramento. The group launched in 1994 “for the purpose of promoting homeownership and economic development for under-served populations and communities,” according to its website.

Meanwhile, City Councilman Kevin McCarty noted that the city of Sacramento earlier this month joined an effort with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the county and Valley Vision to apply for $1.85 million in grant money through the federal Sustainable Communities Initiative.

Photo of Syphax and Cabaldon by Tia Gemmell

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Central Labor Council backs Potnick for West Sac mayor

2010-08-19T00:56:08Z

A prominent labor group in the Sacramento region has endorsed Mayor Christopher Cabaldon’s opponent, Greg Potnick, in the West Sacramento mayoral race.

The Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, this week endorsed Potnick to become the city’s mayor. Potnick, a former City Council member of 12 years, said he will advocate for working families as part of his campaign.

“I’ve been a union member and supporter my entire life,” Potnick said.

Cabaldon said Wednesday that he had not yet heard from the labor council on its decision. He said he did not want to comment until he talked to the labor council and learned why it endorsed Potnick.

Bill Camp, the executive secretary of the labor council, said the council wants to be better connected to Cabaldon, but feels it does not have a relationship with him. Camp indicated that the council feels it’s not connected with Cabaldon, saying that the SCLC wants to know more details about upcoming construction projects in the city.

The city is developing its Bridge District on the riverfront. Cabaldon is promoting development for that area.

Cabaldon, an education policy consultant, has served on the West Sacramento City Council since 1996. He has been the city's elected mayor since 2004.

West Sacramento residents started electing their mayor in 2004, according to Janet Chapan, a deputy city clerk. Before the city held mayoral elections, council members named one of their council colleagues to hold the position.

Both Cabaldon and Potnick were chosen by their City Council colleagues to serve terms as mayor before 2004.

Potnick is a retired deputy regional administrator for the state Department of Corrections. He held a City Council seat from 1988 to 2000.

He said he is a former member of unions including the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, the California State Employees Association and the Teamsters.

Photo of Cabaldon by Kathleen Haley. Photo of Potnick used with permission.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Streetcar hits roadblock

2010-07-13T03:29:57Z

Plans to set up a streetcar to connect the cities of Sacramento and West Sacramento have hit a roadblock. At the same time, the streetcar project is still on the agenda of both cities.

The federal transportation department bypassed the Sacramento/West Sacramento streetcar project last week when it chose projects for federal grant funding.

Instead, the federal government decided to award funding to cities in Texas, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said on Monday that he would like the project to compete for federal funds again if President Barack Obama’s Administration offers another grant program.

“We’re going to get it done,” Cabaldon said, expressing optimism about the project’s future. “It’s one of those things that’s kind of captured the imagination in the urban core.”

Meanwhile, Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohn said the streetcar will not be running anytime in the near future. One of the weaknesses of the streetcar plan rebuffed by the federal government was that it didn’t have a route for the city of Sacramento, Cohn said. Under the old funding plan, the streetcar would have connected part of West Sacramento to Old Sacramento, but would not have gone further than that.

The city of Sacramento has not yet planned Sacramento’s streetcar route. Cohn said the city needs to spend time to decide where the route will go.

While there isn’t money available right now to put the streetcar on the street, there is funding for planning, according to city Transportation Department spokeswoman Linda Tucker.

Funding for streetcar planning will be on the City Council’s July 27 agenda, she said.

A pot of $310,000 in federal funds and $90,000 in local dollars is available for streetcar planning, she noted.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

West Sacramento City Council discusses public safety cuts

2010-05-21T04:44:42Z

More than 300 West Sacramento residents rallied in support of public safety at Wednesday's City Council meeting. Cuts were made, but police and fire were spared at least until June 2.

With the City Council chamber full and 150 seats filled in the downstairs galleria, many were left standing to hear the latest in budget cuts. West Sacramento council meetings typically see around 60 participants.

The crowd met to voice opinions and band together in support against the proposed cuts, most notably the West Sacramento Fire Department's loss of one engine and the police department's loss of five employees.

In anticipation of cuts firefighters were out holding signs Monday night that said, "Save YOUR engine." Local firefighters and community members fear the loss of the single fire engine could mean a substantial decrease in response time.

Of the 40 speakers, consisting of fire and police department employees, union representatives and residents, the theme throughout the night remained clear: The City Council should not make hasty decisions. West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said the meeting was the first time he and City Council had reviewed the proposed budget cuts, which totaled about $1.5 million.

Cabaldon described the current state as "the worst budget ever for the city. We've made all the hard decisions. Now we're at the impossible ones." Cabaldon pointed to the city's loss of $10 million to the state of California as largely responsible for the deficit.

About halfway through the scheduled speakers, the mayor and police threatened to close the session to residents, as many people ignored the strict "no response" rules to clapping.

"Even if all 140 (proposed cuts) were approved, there would still be more to do," Cabaldon said. "But just because it passes doesn't mean it can't continuously be evaluated."

City Manager Toby Ross pointed out that each resolution was made in collaboration with employees, department heads and union representatives. However, no specifics regarding who and which positions would be cut were originally discussed. "(Recommendations are made) not because we like them, but because we have to," Ross said.

The issue of using the city's reserves was brought in to question as an option as well. Currently, the city policy states 20 percent of funds must remain in reserves. The current reserves lie between 15 and 20 percent.

"If this was a one-year problem, we could use the reserves as a stop-gap," Cabaldon said, "but using reserves as a long-term solution is too risky." He added that increased furloughs also were not a viable source of a long-term solution.

City Councilman William Kristoff, a councilman for 20 years, said this was the most difficult decision he has ever had to make. "The scary part for me is I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I can't find the end," he said.

Of the $1.5 million suggested cuts, all except the fire and police department's portions were approved. Cabaldon and the City Council will revisit the advised reductions at the June 2 City Council meeting. In the meantime, City Manager Toby Ross will attempt to find the $1 million elsewhere. As for the approved savings, areas affected will include: highest city officials including the city manager taking an additional two furlough days per year, now up to 10, and recreation fees from sports to aquatics, recreation center passes to community group facility use will rise.

For more information on upcoming City Council meetings or a recap of Wednesday night's meeting, visit the city of West Sacramento website.

Sac and West Sac hope to win federal grant for streetcar

2010-04-02T04:03:10Z

Efforts to establish a streetcar line between West Sacramento and Sacramento could advance if the project is awarded grant money from the federal government, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said last week.

The West Sacramento/Sacramento line is competing with other projects for a grant of up to $25 million for streetcars, he said.

If the project is selected, the funds would establish a line from West Capitol Avenue in downtown West Sacramento to 100 Capitol Mall, the location of the Embassy Suites in Sacramento, according to Cabaldon.

Both cities would like to run the streetcar to a variety of locations, he said, but initial funding would get the streetcar started.

West Sacramento and Sacramento have been working together on the project. Yolobus also is involved, Cabaldon said.

Which agency would operate the streetcar is unclear, but there is talk of working with Regional Transit, Cabaldon said, adding that he hopes to learn whether funds have been granted in a couple of months.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Hundreds of homes to be built at West Sac's riverfront

2010-02-23T05:27:23Z

It's a big hunk of a triangular-shaped pie. West Sacramento city officials want a large piece of a planned 12-million square foot development to move ahead.

City leaders decided last week to back a 386-unit housing project that will be led by Sacramento developer Mark Friedman.

Friedman’s project is part of a much larger development being planned for West Sacramento. The city plans to eventually transform a 188-acre expanse into a development project that could cover 12-million square feet, according to a Feb. 17 report written by West Sacramento city staff.

The 386 homes will be built at the city’s riverfront in the Bridge District, according to the report.

In the past, the Bridge District was called the Triangle District.

“This is a long-term development plan that we’re starting now,” West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said in an interview Monday. “Virtually everyone that lives around here knows that the Riverfront is our area’s greatest untapped asset.”

Cabaldon said he thinks Friedman’s homes will attract buyers despite the dismal economy. He said that young homebuyers, and buyers who are downsizing to smaller homes, would be interested in moving to the Bridge District to be close to attractions such as restaurants, shops and theaters.

The West Sacramento City Council unanimously approved Friedman’s project at its Feb. 17 meeting.

Friedman's company, Fulcrum Property, owns Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento.

Friedman said in an interview that he is putting $100 million toward the development and plans to start construction on the homes next spring. He used the words “green” and “smart” to describe the project.

“It has unobstructed views of the water,” he said, as well as views of Sacramento’s skyline.

Work on infrastructure will start this spring, Friedman said.

The city will be responsible for setting up infrastructure for the 386-home development, said West Sacramento Community Development Director Tina Gontarski.

The city is applying state funds toward its share of work for Bridge District development, according to the report from city staff.

Read the Feb. 17 report here.

Image courtesy of Mark Friedman and the Fulcrum Property Group.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Downtown Sac / West Sac streetcar plan slowly chugs along

2009-05-06T05:52:00Z

The Sacramento City Council will keep working on its plan to set up a streetcar that will, when completed, travel between downtown West Sacramento and downtown Sacramento.

However, most details about how the three-year-old plan would work are not settled.

Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to keep working on the plan, which is known as the Downtown/Riverfront Streetcar Project.

“By doing this, we’re recommitting not just to a streetcar, but to do a starter line between Central City and West Sacramento,” said Councilman Steve Cohn. “I think it’s been something that’s a regional priority, and one that the city certainly wants to be a part of.”

The exact route and alignment for the streetcar needs to be analyzed, he added.

West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said his city wanted to keep working with Sacramento on the project, which he called “a signature project for our two cities and the region.”

A city staff report notes that “several policy issues arose regarding the route alignment and project financing” during the past 18 months.

The cities have been examining a draft financial plan that states the project will have $69 million in capital costs.

In addition, business and development representatives have weighed in on the issue of the streetcar’s route. The staff report states that business groups “are concerned that the proposed route does not provide a connection to key development sites in Sacramento.”

Al Bulf of Sacramento urged the City Council to press ahead on the project. “I hope we’ll move past the inertia of doing more studies,” he said.

Specifically, the City Council pledged Tuesday to keep developing the streetcar plan by approving a new agreement with West Sacramento, the Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) and Regional Transit (RT).

The agreement sets up a policy committee that will decide how the project will work.

Members of the committee will include council members from both Sacramento and West Sacramento, members of the “local community or business and development interests,” and representatives from YCTD and RT, according to the city staff report.

The committee will plan the project’s goals, scope, milestones, schedule and financing, the report also states.