The Del Paso Blvd Streetscape Master Plan was initiated in 1999 by the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Community Development Corporation (Uptown CDC), Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) and City of Sacramento under the leadership of then City Councilmember Rob Kerth.  The plan was produced by the consultant, Carter-Burgess Engineering, with extensive input from the community gathered in six hands-on workshops, each with over 40 participants held in 2000 through early 2001.  This Masterplan was adopted by the Sacramento City Council on October 29th, 2002. 

This community-based plan provides an overall set of strategic recommendations for roadway infrastructure and right-of-way improvements to make Del Paso Boulevard more enjoyable, safer for pedestrians and vehicle traffic, and to be more artistically reflective of the Uptown District's arts influence.  The Plan addresses many aspects of the Boulevard including land use, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, parking, public art, and neighborhood revitalization goals (a top quality signage and way-finding system, upgraded sidewalks, new street furniture, landscaping, and safer crosswalks for pedestrians).

Key issues identified in the workshops as priorities of the community were: Reducing speeds on Del Paso Boulevard, improve street lighting, add additional on and off-street parking to support retail (prefer add back diagonal parking on Del Paso Bouelvard), attract a neighborhood full-service grocery store, Public Art, improve image, safety and  usability of sidewalks, landscape,benches and public trash recepticles.

Because the Uptown District is identified by the City as an arts and entertainment oriented business district, incorporation of public art into the Streetscape Master Plan is an integral piece of the overall urban design.  The Masterplan identifies many opportunities for the intregration of public art and strongly encourages using the 2% spending benchmark for Art on this project, with an emphasis on local artists. 

Factoid:  In 1948, North Sacramento became the first city on the Pacific Coast to install a new type of luminous lights on Del Paso Boulevard.  The lights were intended to provide better light and safety for pedestrians and motorists at night.  The lights were installed at a cost of $30,000 - funds raised by the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.  The City of North Sacramento, in order to celebrate the event, held the Great White Way Festival.

This new streetscape plan will add to the character and "Mayberry" feel of Uptown and enhance our opportunities to be a destination point with better parking and more comfortable surroundings.

Status: August 2006 Median Reconstruction