148 replies to this topic

[mylo]

I agree with Steve.

Checkout the website and if you have any questions, Jeff Ferreira-Pro is extremely approachable and can give you all the information you want and answer any questions you have. Give him a call or an email:

Jeff Ferreira-Pro
808 Figueroa Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Home/Office 916/985-2996
Cell 916/792-9438
ferreirapro@earthlink.net

[john]

I don't disagree that the area needs an overhaul. My concern is that it's the wrong approach. We can still give the street a facelift without ripping out half of it.

I've said my peace. I'd like to know what others think about this besides me and Steve.

[mylo]

I can absolutely understand why many would be frustrated if this is shot down. But you can't avoid the fact that this proposal is unpopular.

The proposal isn't unpopular. It is derived directly from a popular vote, from people who cared enough to actually show up. I've been to many of the stakeholder meetings, and they're not just a bunch of developers sitting around debating what they want to impose on the community, it IS the community. Residents and shopkeepers dominate the crowd, with only a minor showing from the development community.

Any change is going to be met with mixed reception. I don't think any recommendation has received 100% enthusiasm, but what is being suggested is what most stakeholders can agree on.

[Golf Wonk]

I think a lot of us agree. Sutter St. does need some impovement, but none of us wants to see it turned into a strip mall. I would love to see the medians removed and the sidewalks extended. Outdoor dining is always so nice in spring and fall. My thought is to accept that change is inevitable and make it work for us. Fighting progress usually winds up getting what we don't want rammed down our throats. Just my 1.9 cents.

[Folsom_Blues]

I agree, it's much more difficult and comprehensive to setup an online poll of anonymous people instead of attending meetings and subcommittees for over 2 years and work with various experts in many fields to come up with a consensus solution.

What the heck were we thinking? We really took the easy way out.

[Folsom_Blues]

I too think that historic folsom should be pedestrian (or horse) only.

I agree 100% as long as you toss in bikes.

This idea was EXTREMELY popular in the meetings but experts advised us that this was risky as many people like to drive past places prior to going into them. Pedestrians malls have a spotty record in the US (Look at K St in Sacramento.) and it was decided at this time not to pursue it. At that time though, we did not rule out that a thriving historic district could allow this in the future.

[ChipShot]

What kind of $$$ are we talkin' ??

[Dave Burrell]

My answer is to repair the wooden overhangs and repair the medians. If they are falling apart, then fix them! A drastic overhaul is not exactly what is needed. That is your opinion.

I personally don't like the look thats being proposed - sure its nice and all, but it looks exactly like every other main street USA (but thats just me, I'm into nostalgia)

the new look loses the historical feeling of old town. they didn't use cloth awnings 100 years ago, they had wooden ones just like whats there now (just sayin')

but thats progress for ya, the property owners want to make more money off their rental properties there. we're going to lose part of our history to those almighty dollars, but thats life because money always rules

BTW, there are some folks out collecting signatures to oppose the city's spending of $115 million dollars for this effort to make old town new. They were out in front of Trader Joe's yesterday

[Dave Burrell]

I
This is the thing, we may pour thousands of dollars in to improving the look & feel of Sutter Street; whether it's drastic or minor, I'm not sure it will attract many new tenants. We have several BRAND NEW retail centers sitting completely vacant right now, not a single tenant. The demand simply is not there.

We can speculate all we want about what it's going to do, but we don't know. What we do know is this proposal is a drastic overhaul of Sutter Street, the heart of this historic city. You can't spin that.

I hate that too many strip malls are being built here in town - and really thats whats being proposed too for sutter street - just fancier

all those vacant places are starting to make this place look like a ghost town in some areas...its blight

just imagine when the rent is jacked up on new improved bldgs on sutter - who's going to rent them - starbucks? as was first proposed in the new bank bldg - BLECH

[Dave Burrell]

the best idea I've seen yet is to close off Sutter Street - make it for pedestrians only

deliveries can be made in the back on Leidersdorf Lane (not street) - this is lane that is between the back of the buildings and the parking lot - it is accessible, its where Yagers gets their deliveries

the street could be closed off and that would make it really nice

[cw68]

the best idea I've seen yet is to close off Sutter Street - make it for pedestrians only

deliveries can be made in the back on Leidersdorf Lane (not street) - this is lane that is between the back of the buildings and the parking lot - it is accessible, its where Yagers gets their deliveries

the street could be closed off and that would make it really nice

Is there a place for deliveries to the shops on the other side of the Sutter?

[ChipShot]

$115 million dollars

Nuff said. I'm against it. What a boondoggle and waste-athon that would be. Use that money to hire more cops, for cryingoutloud.

[cw68]

BTW, there are some folks out collecting signatures to oppose the city's spending of $115 million dollars for this effort to make old town new.

Does anyone know where the funds are coming from and/or where the budget is being spent? I'm assuming that some of it comes from redevelopment funds which couldn't be used, for instance, to hire more police officers. Does this figure also include the Riley Street improvements, which the City is already doing separately? I would be very interested in seeing the specifics on the funds. Looks like I'll have to do a bit of digging.

[supermom]

Ya wanna really make these changes authentic historic changes then get the community to go out and put the awnings up- on a certain day (like barn raising day). get people in the town to use their own resources and make pre-approved changes with their own resources (like adding horse and buggy tie ups out side of stores--also known as parking spaces and painted lanes).

Honestly--that will give you an idea of how many Folsom residents really think changes should be made.

How many do you think would show up?

[Dave Burrell]

Is there a place for deliveries to the shops on the other side of the Sutter?

forgot about those shops d'oh....

I think there's a lane behind the hotel, I've seen cars parked back there, but I dunno how good the access is back there.