Sacramento property planned for community center may instead become affordable housing complex
A vacant parcel in North Natomas long-planned for a community center could instead become affordable housing.
San Rafael-based nonprofit developer EAH Housing has exclusive rights to negotiate with the city over a purchase price of the 3.5 acre property, located at 1900 Club Center Drive, near Natomas Boulevard, the Sacramento City Council decided Tuesday.
If the affordable housing project comes to fruition, it would also include a community center that could be used by the public, Councilwoman Lisa Kaplan, who represents North Natomas, said during the meeting Tuesday.
“I know this land was slated potentially for a community center,” Kaplan said. “We did get the North Natomas Community Center, but it’s not the community center some of us are looking for. But with this project in the corner a community center that can be used and rented by all will be constructed as part of affordable housing for our seniors and our families most in need.”
Kaplan was referring to the $40 million North Natomas Community Center and Aquatics Complex, which the city opened in 2022 and is about two miles from the vacant site.
“The aquatic community center is very expensive to rent vs. renting a room at the South Natomas Community Center (on Truxel Road),” Kaplan said in a text message to The Sacramento Bee Wednesday. “The community center planned on the Club Center site is set to be for smaller groups to gather at an affordable rent. Not everyone needs an event center-size meeting space.”
Last year EAH approached the city about the property, interested in building a development with 100% affordable units, which will help the city’s housing shortage, the city staff report stated.
There are roughly 6,600 homeless people in Sacramento, a report last year found. Many of them have been on wait lists for affordable housing for years.
The council in February declared the property as “exempt surplus land” under the California Surplus Land Act.
The new apartments will be for tenants earning between 30% to 80% of area median income, which last year was $24,780 to $66,080 for an individual living alone, said Audrey Chaddick, EAH spokeswoman.
EAH is also building a 140-unit affordable housing complex at the corner of Broadway and 19th streets. After it caught fire from undetermined causes in March 2024, it is still slated to be completed this year, according to the EAH website. For residents who live alone, the development will be open to individuals who earn between roughly $24,780 and $49,560 annually.
The city is looking for ways to increase revenue as it’s facing a projected budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The exclusive negotiating period will last six months, with an option to extend it an additional six months. A city sale of the property would go back to the council for approval.
This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM.
