State of California allocates millions of dollars to help revitalize Old Sacramento Waterfront
SACRAMENTO — The State of California has promised millions of dollars to help revitalize the Old Sacramento Waterfront.
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a budget bill allocating $4.6 million for Old Sacramento deferred maintenance and improved infrastructure.
The question now is when will that happen?
Anwar Khan has owned Old City Kites in Old Sacramento for more than three decades and has become numb to announcements of new plans.
"[We've been hearing this for a] long time, but we haven't seen any improvement," Khan said. "We need to see more customers come here."
Troy Carlson has owned the Stage Nine Entertainment Store in Old Sacramento since 1991.
"I think having real money on the table maybe helps to get things moving," Carlson said.
Newsom was in Old Sacramento at the Railroad Museum eight years ago at the inauguration of Mayor Darrell Steinberg's first term in office—when Steinberg first spoke of remodeling the waterfront.
The mayor made more announcements in 2019. Then, the pandemic depleted a hotel tax base that was earmarked to pay for it.
Now, the state's $4.6 million could be added to a proposed $20-25 million in new Sacramento hotel tax money, paid by tourists the city council is planning on voting on in the coming weeks.
State Senator Angelique Ashby issued a statement regarding the state funds that said, in part, "It's a big deal for Sacramento to get some state resources for Old Sacramento, which is obviously an important part of our region."
The mayor's office released renderings this summer showing some of what the revitalization plans could look like.
The California State Parks Department also released renderings last year showing plans for a new hotel in Old Sacramento.
The new timetable for spending this money is still unclear. The mayor's office said an announcement will be coming out before Steinberg's term ends—which is now ten weeks away.