129 replies to this topic

[ducky]

Just thought I'd post things that aren't big news, but changes around town I've noticed. Please add your own.

I wish I had thought earlier to take photos of the rodeo arena. Crews have been busy tearing things down. The corrals and chutes are gone.

It looks like Colton Books has a new location next to Big 5.

The fence at the vacant lot at corner of Natoma St. and Coloma has come down (Next to the old Sol Azteca). Guess whatever air monitoring they were doing is over now.

[4thgenFolsomite]

they are tearing the old rodeo arena down???

[ducky]

they are tearing the old rodeo arena down???

What's gone so far are the corrals and announcer's stand. Prison crews were working on the teardown last week.

[4thgenFolsomite]

What's gone so far are the corrals and announcer's stand. Prison crews were working on the teardown last week.

[Steve Heard]

Nicholson's Music opened the Musicafe next door.

Karma Cafe changed hands and the new owners were there it seems like only a few months before they sold all of the furniture and fixtures and were gone.

New homes being built on Iron Point near the high school.

I believe construction on the Johnny Cash trail past the prison starts soon.

[Darth Lefty]

A couple years on, what does everyone think now of the Sutter Street remodel? I was at Sam Horne's the other day and thinking that it would be nice to eat outside, but the only place I think pulls it off is Sutter St Grill. There's little enough room there and none on the main block. I think that for the very limited parking they got they could have put in wider sidewalks instead.

[nomad]

A couple years on, what does everyone think now of the Sutter Street remodel? I was at Sam Horne's the other day and thinking that it would be nice to eat outside, but the only place I think pulls it off is Sutter St Grill. There's little enough room there and none on the main block. I think that for the very limited parking they got they could have put in wider sidewalks instead.

You can eat outside at Chicago Fire, The Hampton's, Hacienda, and at the upper deck of Lockdown. I think they all pull it off pretty well.

[MrsTuffPaws]

You can eat outside at Chicago Fire, The Hampton's, Hacienda, and at the upper deck of Lockdown. I think they all pull it off pretty well.

But those places had the same outdoor seating before the remodel too... (except maybe Hamptons, not sure that existed at that time, but if it had, the remodel would not have made a difference)

[4thgenFolsomite]

The full effect of the limited parking will be felt when the off-street parking starts to be developed, like the lot across from hop sings.

[ducky]

I know. Me, too.

[tony]

The full effect of the limited parking will be felt when the off-street parking starts to be developed, like the lot across from hop sings.

Please explain.What will the full effect be?

[Steve Heard]

A couple years on, what does everyone think now of the Sutter Street remodel? I was at Sam Horne's the other day and thinking that it would be nice to eat outside, but the only place I think pulls it off is Sutter St Grill. There's little enough room there and none on the main block. I think that for the very limited parking they got they could have put in wider sidewalks instead.

I love the remodel, with the exception of the metal hand rails. They could have gone with more decorative iron-work instead of the general hospital-stairwell variety.

As for outdoor dining, I know that Karma Cafe had it, and it seems all of the others do too, with the exception of Sam Horne's, Hop Sing and Black Rooster.

Also note that the remodel was not just about getting a few more parking spaces. That certainly was part of it, as merchants wanted customers who were coming in for a quick stop to be able to do so.

The remodel was also about repairing and replacing crumbling infrastructure, ADA compliance, removing trees which were becoming a risk to public safety, removing and replacing rotting wooden shed-roof awnings, revealing the beautiful architecture of the historic buildings, adding public seating and making the street safer to navigate.

I think they did a great job.

[FolsomEJ]

I agree with Steve. There is a lot to like about it.

I'd add that the street works very well for the Rodeo Cattle Drive. I also enjoyed the Christmas time, including the skating rink.

[SacKen]

A couple years on, what does everyone think now of the Sutter Street remodel? I was at Sam Horne's the other day and thinking that it would be nice to eat outside, but the only place I think pulls it off is Sutter St Grill. There's little enough room there and none on the main block. I think that for the very limited parking they got they could have put in wider sidewalks instead.

I still stand by my criticism from when I first saw the design. I do love the open feel with the trees and planters removed and being able to see the top of the buildings. I also like the general look of the street with the old awnings gone. However, the whole walkway design is quite wonky and borderline usable when an event is taking place. The additional seating and other features are nice, but get in the way when there's a lot of people Trying to get around on the walkways during the last Halloween event was nearly impossible and made us choose to not attend this year. The space between the raised walkway and the street seems wasted. Maybe it isn't but I know I'm never down there, which tells me that it may be too disconnected from the raised walkway.

I still think that closing off Sutter St. to traffic, with an open lane for emergency and delivery vehicles, would have been best. That said, to satisfy the desire to have some parking closer to the stores, I think changing to a single one-way road with the parking pullouts would still be better. Both options would have provided more space that could have allowed for a wider street-level walkway and better integration and usable design between the raised walkway and street-level space, including more outdoor space for restaurants.

Oh well. As long as stores are seeing increased sales since the remodel, I guess that's all that really matters.

[tony]

The little bridge on the Humbug-Willow Creek Trail just north of Blue Ravine between Russi and Riley has finally been replaced and is open for business. No more detour on the gravel.

Regarding the Johnny Cash Trail and Bridge, the start of construction has been delayed, probably until late summer or fall...but for a good reason. To optimize the available funding, the first phase has been expanded by about 4000 feet to extend to the westerly leg of Cimmarron Circle (the original western end of this phase was to be the Prison Industry Authority Road).

I agree with Steve: overall the Sutter Street project was a big success. But I agree with SacKen that the balance between on-street parking and sidewalk width was skewed too much towards parking at the expense of walkability, which is what Sutter Street is all about -- only on foot can you appreciate the historic fabric, the many small shops, and the friendly interactions that can only occur on a street focused on people and not their cars.