Midtown Neighborhood Association

Parking! Parking! Parking !  

The Central City Parking Master Plan  released in 2006 clearly states that residents have priority for on-street parking. MNA Board members participated with city staff and businesses to revise the existing parking ordinances to improve parking quality for residents and business patrons. Parking needs in Midtown have changed as evening parking conditions have worsened for everyone, resident and patron alike. 

The Sutter Hospital expansion and other infill has impacted on-street parking  in parts of our neighborhood, and the B Street theatre plans to relocate / construct a 615 seat facility at 27th & Capitol. As a result, the MNA board is considering a 'Sutter area' pilot for extending the current Residential Permit Parking Program (RPPP) for on-street parking into to the evening hours and on weekends. The proposed area for inclusion in the first phase of this pilot is 25th Street on the west, K street to the North, O Street to the South and 28th Street to the east plus the numbered streets between J & K Streets, 25th to 28th. Extended enforcement hours would apply to street parking in front of residences, to encourage restaurant and theatre patrons to use street parking in front of commercial spaces or the Sutter garage instead of taking up resident parking. The Sutter Community Garage has a $5 after 5 program in which parking after 5 PM is only $5.00. Sutter is also adding signage to help direct visitors to this parking resource. We appreciate their efforts and encourage more outreach to nearby evening businesses to encourage the use of this resource.

The same issues that prompted the creation of the RPPP for office hours are now relevant in the evening and on weekends in many areas. Too often as street parking is full at night, surface parking lots and some parking garages sit empty while residents struggle to find a space close to their home. The purpose of this proposal is to take a proactive approach to ensuring residents and their guests can still obtain on-street parking.    

Infill in Historic Districts

Many areas of Midtown sit in Historic Districts, including the Winn Park, Capitol Mansions, Capitol Avenue, 20th & N Street, Marshall Park and the Memorial Auditorium Historic Districts. More info on Sacramento's infill guidelines in historic districts 

Some see preserving existing buildings as an obstacle. The reality demonstrated in studies and practice is preserving and rehabbing existing buildings is a critical element of economic and environmental best practices. Environmentally sound building practices use the embodied energy in existing buildings and adapt and re-use. Rehabbing buildings keep dollars in the community and creates jobs.

The greenest building is the one that is already built.

The most energetic retail spots and most charming residential areas in Midtown are those places with little or no new constructionm, yet they have appropriate rehabilitation, adaptation and maintenance. 

The overwhelming majority of successful businesses near 20th & K, 18th & Capitol, 27th & J, and the 16th Street corridor sit in rehabbed buildings - many are properly maintained historic buildings. Old buildings also allow for reasonable rents, allowing local businesses to thrive. MNA strongly supports the adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of existing buildings for the reasons stated here.

 Click HERE for more info on "Old Is The New Green" from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Urban Forest

Sacramento’s urban forest (street trees) is a character defining feature of the Grid and  neighborhoods surrounding the Central City. It reduces greenhouse gases and provides shade reducing energy needs on hot days.  Its survival is critical to livability and sustainability.   The 2030 General Plan describes the urban forest as “the dense canopy of trees that distinguishes Sacramento” and “serves to reduce heat gain along sidewalks and other public places making them pleasant places to walk at recreate . . trees absorb carbon dioxide and pollution and produce oxygen, improving air quality and human health...every neighborhood will be a desirable place to live because of walkable streets, extensive tree canopy . . .”

Sadly, many of the trees planted decades ago are coming to the end of their life cycle.
Even casual observers have noted the rapid deterioration of the urban forest. Members of the Midtown Neighborhood Association started a petition in late 2008 to urge city leaders to take action. See the Urban Forest Position Statement  

In  2009, neighbors noticed urban forest staff planting and watering new trees. We are pleased to see them and grateful for their efforts. We remain concerned that ongoing city budget issues threaten Urban Forest Services. MNA continues to strongly support Urban Forest Services staff in their work to save the existing tree canopy over central Sacramento.