For what seemed like an eternity during the summer of 2010, West Capitol Avenue between Garden and Jefferson was a mess. At the time, I was commuting by car to and from downtown Sacramento for my job and it was such a bottleneck with lanes closed, heavy equipment blocking the way, dirt piles here and there, and orange cones directing traffic this way and that. However, once this first phase of the streetscape finished last October, I was ecstatic. It is truly was worth the wait.
Phase 1 of West Capitol Avenue Streetscape. Designers kept the original large tree across from City Hall.
The street, crosswalks and sidewalks are wide and pedestrian-friendly, broken up with attractive benches and landscaping. I am thrilled the designers decided to retain the huge tree across from City Hall. It is a magnificent centerpiece and focal point. And those new bus stops are so cool. According to project manager Jay Davidson of the City of West Sacramento, there has been little vandalism to that to date, which is refreshing. Davidson says the first phase of the streetscape was funded through redevelopment and federal funding.
Phase 2, which extends improvements further down West Capitol to the west, is in the design and planning stage. Figuring out funding is a stumbling block, Davidson says, as redevelopment funds may not be available with the state budget in crisis.
The streetscape was created to “reclaim the public realm away from the automobile” and toward bicycle, pedestrian and public transit use, according to the City’s website. Phase 1 definitely has accomplished this task.
The new West Sac bus stops are very cool, and have remained relatively unscathed so far.
