Haven't been around these parts lately, but after reading this thread, I figured it was time to chime in for something important.
I've only been a Folsom resident for 8 years -- and working in Folsom two years before then. I have bought many of the historic books on Folsom and looked at pictures of Sutter St. from a hundred years back and appreciate the look today over then -- when sutter street had utility poles and one wide dirt road. Even if the historic street is only 50 years old, that's older than many of us, and it's older than most facades in the area -- so I'm calling that historic.
When I drive through older towns, it is easy to tell old facades from revitalized facades. Honestly, I don't care about revitalized areas. They don't make me stop and appreciate the work and sweat that went into the town decades ago.
I can't imagine anyone going through sutter street today would say, "wow, this street is not historically accurate." But, I can imagine after the improvements people will wonder why Folsom modernized Sutter St. and turned it into a European city with striped awnings and outdoor cafes.
If I had a plan, I'd would:
1. Rip out the concrete sidewalks and extend the wooden decking the full length of sutter street -- treated to look aged -- and add ramp areas for ADA requirements. The deck would have to be elevated, however. I'm not concerned about the curb requirements to the street except at the intersections. Why encourage jaywalking? Plus, wouldn't a lowered sidewalk have step-ups to the building entrances that have to be ramped for ADA?
2. Replace older trees. Why pull them out? An arborist can tell which trees need to be replaced and semi-mature trees can be installed in their place. The shade is sorely needed and if trees didn't take decades to mature and horses would trample over them while they tried to grow, historic Sutter St. could have benefitted from them as well.
3. Replace the shed overhangs that are in danger of collapse with historic wooden overhangs. I can only think of two types of building fronts when I see 100-year old photos -- wooden overhangs or none at all. I think none is not a desired outcome -- especially if the trees are going to be ripped out. Also, if the buildings are bare and are treated to make them look "better" after being exposed, what history is left? Imagine painting the old Wells Fargo facade on the museum or the Power House with a nice coat of exterior latex. And no right-minded settler would have used canvas for a permanent overhang -- except the canvas top on their automobile (i.e. wagon).
4. Make the street brick. Alright, this one is right out of touch with Sutter St's history, but it looks better than asphault and lasts much longer.
Now, for an idea of how this would look, go to Old Sacramento. Now clearly the decking and overhangs are not historic, but they fit in with the gold rush/train town image. Basically, it has to be wood. There is no other alternative to reconditioning a gold town.
Alright. I'm done with my ramblings. I'll be back in a few months. BTW, I would love to attend the meeting on the 23rd except that I'm in Davis on Tuesday nights for classes
Jason
