30 replies to this topic

[Sandra Lunceford]

What do you want to see for the future in Old Town Folsom (the Historic District)?   There are efforts to change it.  The changes should reflect what the community wants.  What are your thoughts?  

 

 

[ducky]

Didn't we just spend a lot of money renovating Sutter St.?  What part of Historic Folsom are you referring to?

[Sandra Lunceford]

I am talking around Sutter Street, Leidesdorff, Reading, etc.  There are changes going on.  I'm just hoping they reflect what the community wants in the future....not what we have already experienced in the past.  

[ducky]

If you are talking about the proposed development in the railroad block, I like the idea of mixed use, but not if it makes parking someone else's problem.

 

If you are talking about the trail by the river, I would hope they would leave it as natural as possible  or change as little as possible while still providing one trail that is more accessible.  I agree with what someone else stated that putting more concrete down there will just be a new graffiti canvas.

 

I think it was a mistake to leave out a water feature they had originally planned on Sutter St.

 

It would be nice to see the building where Q'bole was used to its full potential, but that's up to the property owner.  It definitely needs updating or a new layout to make it attractive to tenants.

Karen's and the bike shop look like they are doing well, but that's about it.

[Steve Heard]

Great topic!

 

I like the direction the Historic District is going in. There's so much life and new business in it, and it's getting better every day. 

 

In just the past couple of months, we've seen D'Artagnan Winery's tasting room, the Olive guy, 'It's Personal' wine bar, 'Sutter Street Cigars', and 'Southern Kissed' open up. 'Q'bole' just opened next to Lockdown, and Sutter Street Taqueria should be open in a few weeks.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing the new buildings on the railroad block. The plans look great. 

 

I'd like to see a gift shop that would include merchandise relating to Folsom. I think a shop selling items relating to our history, the railroad, the prison, Johnny Cash, the lakes, etc., would be successful. Maybe a shop selling toys and novelties.  

 

A few more restaurant choices would be good, too. Italian would be great, as well as a reasonably priced sandwich and salad sort of like Magpie in Sacramento.

 

I'd like to see more use of the amphitheater with free concerts. It's been there for a couple of years now, and other than Folsom Live, it largely goes unused. 

 

I know they tried a Thursday concert series and the attendance wasn't as strong as they'd have liked, but I think that was in part due to lack of publicity, and maybe the band selection. They kicked the series of with a children's singing act, kind of like 'Glee', and it seemed that only their parents cared. It was a let down to people who wanted to hear professional musicians, and I think many people expected it to be of similar quality throughout the season. 

 

More public art would enhance the visitor experience, too.

 

I know there are some who'd like eliminate bars and nightlife (and tourists), but those places open and survive because there is a demand.

 

I love art galleries, antique stores and kid-oriented stuff, and if there's enough demand, those places will open up and thrive.

 

Families do support the pizza restaurants, Snook's Candies (love that place) and a couple of the other restaurants, and they turn out in droves for Night of 1000 Pumpkins and Christmas Tree Lighting, but families tend to go home early and the district is really becoming known for its nightlife. 

 

I remember when one year they tried to make Thursday Night Market more kid-oriented. They got rid of the rock and cover bands and instead presented a kids' dance troupe, a string quartet, and the a Capella choir. Only their kids' parents seemed interested in that, and the string quartet had 2 people sitting and watching. I felt badly for the performers.

 

I'd also like to see easier access to look at the beauty of Lake Natoma. 

 

The Historic District and the Lake are Folsom treasures and they should be protected, but also enjoyed, by residents and visitors alike.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Has the idea of adding activities related to gold mining days ever been explored...ala Colomna State Park? Families appear to enjoy panning for gold, making candles, watching metal smithing, etc. Just a thought.

[Dave Burrell]

I am talking around Sutter Street, Leidesdorff, Reading, etc.  There are changes going on.  I'm just hoping they reflect what the community wants in the future....not what we have already experienced in the past.  

 

Can you give us an idea of what changes are planned and/or going on?

 

Personally I don't want it changed too much, I don't see any huge existing problems or eyesores. The old town charm is what attracts many. If it's made all new, it will end up just like any other town USA.

[caligirlz]

I know I've said this before, but I guess I will say it again, historically I rarely go to Sutter St. The frequency has increased recently to maybe once a month, or once every other month due to my regular massage person having an office there, and I go infrequently to We Olive and Sutter Street Steakhouse. I don't drink or smoke, so those type of places are of no interest to me.

 

I "walk the block(s)" annually and window shop, but many of the boutiques are too pricy, even though one may be able to find a unique item. I don't buy a lot of gifts (such as are available on Sutter St) as my family/friends aren't interested in those things. I will admit that there is at least one reasonably priced jeweler.

 

Parking is limited. It's practically impossible for anyone with a physical limitation.

 

Most of the people I know go there for the bars, drinking & dancing. No one ever mentions the shopping (except people on this forum).

 

I like Steve's idea of actually using the ampitheater, but without shade coverage, I wouldn't sit out in the summer sun. Coverage doesnt have to be trees, it could be cloth covers that are removed for the winter.

 

I've seen the plans for the railroad block. My question, will there be enough parking (because there sure isn't now)?

 

I would like to see an actual working downtown, versus a destination. An example that I grew up with was Visalia, Ca http://downtownvisalia.com/ or San Luis Obsipo.

[New Girl]

I was unsure about the proposed upgrade of Old Town but actually like what has been done so far.  It needs to weather and grow into itself a bit and it is a shame that it is taking so long to get the rest of the building done.  I agree with Steve regarding the river - such an under utilized and under appreciate space.  Cities across the world have wonderful river areas that are focal points and places to walk and gather.  Who needs a water feature on Sutter Street when we have such a beautiful natural one hidden by trash infested scrub bushes.   I love the restaurants and bars, would love a good cheese shop,  miss the art galleries that have gone.  Not that I could afford to buy any art or sculptures  so I guess that is why they closed.   I shop at We Olive  and Rainbow Jewelers but cannot say there is, or has been in the past 15 years, any other shops that have interested me.  I do not see Old Town as a shopping area more as a gem that we proudly share with visitors (who bring much needed dollars to the City) and a center for our community.  Steve - I love the idea of a gift shop.  Right now it is split between the prison, chamber and museum. 

[maestro]

 

Can you give us an idea of what changes are planned and/or going on?

 

Personally I don't want it changed too much, I don't see any huge existing problems or eyesores. The old town charm is what attracts many. If it's made all new, it will end up just like any other town USA.

 

 

City Council strikes again.    No one has even mentioned the Folsom Historic District Plan & Guidelines.

 

HD Plan & Guidelines are a part of existing Folsom Municipal Code --  the laws governing zoning.     There are Subareas which are defined  in great detail, to be TOTALLY PASSIVE and non-harmful next to the state park and river CONSERVATION ZONE.

 

Got that --  the federal govt. has made the Lake Natoma part of American River a CONSERVATION ZONE below a major dam.

 

As for the rest of the area, when there is an emergency on Sutter Street, there is almost NO WAY for first responders to get in there to save lives and property.    The 15' to 18' wide streets are inadequate, not to Standards.     Ditto the SEWERS in this old area.

 

Back to the HD Plan & Guidelines....    there is NOTHING wrong with the HD Plan and I would never have bought my house if I thought the council would VIOLATE it --  as they do all the time.

 

Putting residential with saloons, bars, and restaurants is DICEY!     With a nutty council, it is a recipe for disaster and problems.

 

IMO   Get rid of the council who violate the Historic Plan & Guidelines, and return to a little rule of law and safety.

 

Gee, my opinion matches the laws ..... fancy that.     

 

If you knew all the reasons this city is currently under investigation by the CA State Water Board itself, you would not be treating this as a matter of OPINIONs on what is best.      LAWS, STANDARDS, and ENGINEERS TO ENFORCE -- that is best --  

 

support  people who will fight for obeying the laws.... not changing them behind closed doors.

[Rich_T]

I thought we were pretty much done with this round of changes, except for the railroad area.  I wouldn't know what else could be done.

 

My take is that, as Folsom has grown and developed more and more competing areas, Sutter St. will never be more than it is now:  a place that some people choose to frequent by day, and others by night, but which will never again be a shopping mecca.  I personally go there for  four reasons:  (1) to have a leisurely Farmer's Market visit on random Saturday mornings, followed by a stroll along Sutter (but no shopping except the produce); (2) to go to Hop Sing's two or three times a year on a weeknight; (3) to very rarely check out one of the other eateries (I would say Snooks, too, but I'm on a diet); (4) to attend rare events (not Folsom Live), such as the Christmas tree lighting.  All in all, I seem to find myself strolling along Sutter once a month or so, but I don't buy anything from the shops.  Yet I wouldn't know what else to do with Sutter St., unless it became a full-on Wild West re-creation (like Columbia), for two blocks, which I sincerely doubt would ever be done.

[cw68]

"Putting residential with saloons, bars, and restaurants is DICEY!     With a nutty council, it is a recipe for disaster and problems."

Dicey? Nope. Actually, it's been shown that crime rates are lower in communities that mix residential and commercial uses. Having walkable areas cuts down on traffic congestion and pollution, the walking makes for healthier residents, and puts more people out and about, which means more people around to see and survey what's going on - which deters crime.

Commercial-only areas have the highest crime rate, btw. 45% higher than commercial areas that include residential.

[Sandra Lunceford]

Thank you for all your ideas and comments.  I hope to hear more.  Please spread the word so we can continue the conversation.  

[maestro]

"Putting residential with saloons, bars, and restaurants is DICEY!     With a nutty council, it is a recipe for disaster and problems."

Dicey? Nope. Actually, it's been shown that crime rates are lower in communities that mix residential and commercial uses. Having walkable areas cuts down on traffic congestion and pollution, the walking makes for healthier residents, and puts more people out and about, which means more people around to see and survey what's going on - which deters crime.

Commercial-only areas have the highest crime rate, btw. 45% higher than commercial areas that include residential.

 

 

Prove these assertions with actual published police or FBI  records.

Tell the neighbors to Sutter St.   your ideas and surveys.    Show us the proof that  over 27 alcohol licenses on two blocks of 15' wide lanes is BETTER than following the city codes and Standards.

 

Best of all, tell my neighbor who bought one of those lofts on Sutter, hated every noisy minute, piss-filled streets, fighting, fornicating, and all forms of property crime.    They sold and got outta there fast.   So show us your quoted evidence from a valid source.

[ducky]

I was unsure about the proposed upgrade of Old Town but actually like what has been done so far.  It needs to weather and grow into itself a bit and it is a shame that it is taking so long to get the rest of the building done.  I agree with Steve regarding the river - such an under utilized and under appreciate space.  Cities across the world have wonderful river areas that are focal points and places to walk and gather.  Who needs a water feature on Sutter Street when we have such a beautiful natural one hidden by trash infested scrub bushes.   I love the restaurants and bars, would love a good cheese shop,  miss the art galleries that have gone.  Not that I could afford to buy any art or sculptures  so I guess that is why they closed.   I shop at We Olive  and Rainbow Jewelers but cannot say there is, or has been in the past 15 years, any other shops that have interested me.  I do not see Old Town as a shopping area more as a gem that we proudly share with visitors (who bring much needed dollars to the City) and a center for our community.  Steve - I love the idea of a gift shop.  Right now it is split between the prison, chamber and museum. 

 

 

Geesh, I guess nature isn't pretty enough unless we manicure it.

 

If the idea is getting families to Sutter St., I think a nice fountain with benches would have been one way to entice them to visit.  Last time I was in Savannah the riverfront looked kind of depressed, lots of bars and restaurants.  In contrast, Ellis Square was buzzing with activity and a lot of families out enjoying an evening.  I'm not entirely sure little ones and a cold, fast-moving river are the best mix.  Plus, there is the traffic noise up above from Lake Natoma Crossing.