Sacramento has come one step closer to redeveloping the historic 244-acre site that was the birthplace of the transcontinental railroad and the home of shops that built and repaired locomotives for more than a century. The seven Central Shop buildings (plus a unique three-story privy) in the downtown railyard may not look it in their current state, but they are the jewels of downtown.
Since 1989, the city has had a dream that the Central Shops would be reborn as a public marketplace, a new Railroad Technology Museum and other cultural/entertainment venues.
This week, more than 2 1/2 years after the Union Pacific finally sold the land, the city, the State Lands Commission, California State Parks and the developer, Thomas Enterprises, have settled some remaining, vexing issues:
1. Land exchange
Nearly 25 acres of the 244- acre site lie in the course of the American River as it existed when California entered the Union. Since statehood, the river has changed course because of dams and levees. But the lands formerly under water remain public trust lands governed by the state.
The state, the developer and the city began serious negotiations toward a land exchange in 2004. But the deal never happened.
This week, the city, State Lands and State Parks signed off on a deal whereby State Lands will clear title for the developer to the 25 acres. In exchange, the developer will transfer to State Parks two Central Shops buildings – the Boiler Shop and the Erecting Building – for the technology museum.
This will happen in two phases. The Boiler Shop transfer happens immediately (and State Parks already has the funds to begin work). The Erecting Building transfer occurs when State Parks and the California State Railroad Museum Foundation raise funds to develop the museum – with a three-year clock beginning to run when the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
State Lands will get 4 acres on the Sacramento River waterfront from State Parks and 10 acres at Sand Cove from the city. Both of those parcels will be leased back to the city at no cost for use as public parks.
2.Track alignment
State Parks and the developer finally have agreed on track curves connecting Old Sacramento to the proposed new technology museum in the historic Central Shops. It's a tough area for design because of the I Street Bridge, Interstate 5 freeway pillars, switch connections with the Union Pacific main-line tracks and the Sacramento River flood wall. They finally worked out an alignment that would give State Parks the ability to carry the full range of locomotives and rail cars.
City Councilman Ray Tretheway rightly described these agreements as a "stellar resolution to many problems."
Thomas Enterprises has said in the past that it wants the closing and transfers done by next Thursday. With their sign-offs, the city, State Lands and State Parks did their part this week to make that possible. As Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday, "This is a good day for Sacramento."
All that's left is for Thomas Enterprises to sign the deal. Then work can begin.
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