Fight over historic zone

Along Folsom's Sutter Street, the heart of the city since the Gold Rush, history, it seems, is in the eye of the beholder.

A hot debate, one common to historic districts throughout the country, is raging over a proposed plan to radically alter Historic Folsom's appearance.

It pits those who argue the four-block stretch of Sutter Street is sorely in need of improvements to make it economically viable and those who believe changing the street's signature features, including raised sidewalks, shed roofs and a center median, will ruin its historic nature.

"City leaders call it Folsom's crown jewel, but they're destroying that jewel," said longtime Folsom resident Madeleine Moseley.

But Gary Richard, chairman of the Folsom Historic District Association design committee, counters that a plan to revitalize the street "polishes this jewel."

Although the city's Historic District Commission approved a streetscape concept plan by a 4-1 vote earlier this month, that isn't the final word.

The City Council, sitting as the Folsom Redevelopment Agency, will review the plan and take action at its Oct. 23 meeting.

Visitors to Sutter Street currently encounter a mix of antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, and specialty stores such as Snook's Chocolate Factory, some housed in buildings dating back over a century.

But what initially grabs the attention of most people are the street's unique features -- raised sidewalks built during the horse and buggy era, shed roofs and a grass median running down the middle of the roadway.

Those are the types of things, opponents of the streetscape plan maintain, that draw people to the historic district in the first place.

"We are a legitimate Gold Rush town. I don't want to remove the historic features," said Courtney Puffer, owner of Pacific Western Traders on Sutter Street's 700 block.

Puffer counts himself among the city's oldest families, dating back to the 1890s. He's also among those who circulated letters recently to "Save Historic Sutter Street." Hundreds of signatures were gathered and presented to city officials.

"Most people said 'leave it alone,' " Moseley said.

However, Jeff Ferreira-Pro, a 27-year resident of Folsom and the revitalization project manager, maintains that proposed streetscape changes have more to do with the character of Sutter Street than with its history.

The center-street medians, he pointed out, weren't installed until the late 1960s and many of the shed roofs -- designed to provide shade -- also were added in more recent years.

"There's history and then there's character," Ferreira-Pro said. Project proponents, he said, are seeking to balance those interests.

Among changes recommended for Sutter Street are removing the center medians and shed roofs, widening sidewalks and providing Americans with Disabilities Act access ramps.

"The core of it is really economics," Ferreira-Pro said. Historic district businesses, he said, are facing increased competition in the region and revitalization will establish "economic vitality."

But Puffer is one Sutter Street business owner who questions the assumption the historic district is in economic distress.

"That was news to us," he said. If anything, Puffer said, the proposed streetscape changes could harm local businesses.

In particular, he said, removing shed roofs will leave many building facades exposed and needing work.

"Some of the facades could cost a fortune," Puffer said.

Ferreira-Pro acknowledged that possibility, but said the city's Redevelopment Agency is offering grants of $10,000 per storefront for facade improvements.

Removing the shed roofs and other changes to Sutter Street, including removing the street median, will allow for wider sidewalks and such amenities as outdoor dining, said Michael Smiley, a design consultant for the historic district revitalization.

From a practical standpoint, Smiley said, many of the sidewalks are in bad condition and don't meet ADA requirements.

But during the Historic District Commission's discussion of the streetscape, Commissioner Jennifer Lane said she opposed eliminating the median, calling it "a refuge for walkers to feel safe from traffic."

However, some Sutter Street merchants, like Jim Snook, told the commission they support the streetscape plan.

"To hear all this really excites me," he said.

City officials emphasize that the streetscape plan is only a conceptual design and is part of a larger project.

"This is just one minor component of revitalization," said Amy Feagans, Folsom's neighborhood services director.

Other items on the revitalization agenda for the 98-block historic district include: a traffic plan that accounts for automobiles crossing the American River; retaining existing businesses and recruiting new businesses; a fire-suppression plan for old buildings; a parking strategy to accommodate increased visitors; and a shuttle system.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Walter Yost can be reached at (916) 608-7449 or wyost@sacbee.com.