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Press Releases 2000 |
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| Oct 26, 2000 | |
| Oct 18, 2000 | |
| Oct 18, 2000 | |
| Sep 13, 2000 | |
| Aug 29, 2000 | |
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Del Paso Heights Community Celebrates Completion Of New Headquarters Building For Greater Sacramento Urban League SHRA-Funded Development Is Anchor Project For Del Paso Heights Town Center; GSUL Providing Educational & Job Training OpportunitiesSACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 26, 2000--Sacramento city officials, community leaders, representatives of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and the Greater Sacramento Urban League (GSUL) today celebrated the grand opening and dedication of the Urban League's new, $5.3 million headquarters building in Del Paso Heights. The 26,000 square foot structure is the anchor development for the Del Paso Heights Town Center, a redevelopment project fostered by the city, the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) and the Del Paso Heights Redevelopment Advisory Committee. SHRA is the lead public agency for the GSUL building, providing $1.65 million in funding for the development. A dedication ceremony for the building, officially named the Vic Fazio Workforce Development Center, was held Oct. 26 at the headquarters site, 3725 Marysville Blvd., in Del Paso Heights. The building was named in honor of Vic Fazio, Sacramento's former U.S. congressional representative, for his work in obtaining an additional $1.5 million in federal Economic Development Initiative funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the project. "The Urban League's decision to become an integral part of the Del Paso Heights community is a significant milestone for the community's revitalization," said Sacramento City Councilman Rob Kerth. "Their presence will be keenly felt for many years to come as successive generations of residents here can take advantage of the educational opportunities and job training that will be provided through the Urban League's facilities," Kerth said. "The building's location near Grant High School will also foster additional educational synergy that will benefit residents and students alike." Kerth, who represents the City Council's Second District, including Del Paso Heights, has been an avid supporter of the GSUL building since the project was first proposed in 1998. Anne Moore, SHRA Executive Director, said the building "is a key part of the Agency's plan for the Del Paso Heights Town Center area." "This beautiful building represents hundreds of hours of hard work and dedication by so many different people, not only at SHRA, but especially by the Del Paso Heights Redevelopment Advisory Committee and the residents of Del Paso Heights," Moore said. "We are grateful for their efforts and also for the leadership of the City Council and former Congressman Fazio." GSUL officials say they hope the building will have an immediate, positive impact on the community through the educational and job training classes to be held on site. In addition to housing a charter school, classes for the community will be offered in office technology training, SAT test preparation and nursing assistant training. Dr. Ollie Mack, chairman of the Del Paso Heights Redevelopment Advisory Committee, said he believes the GSUL will quickly become a "valued partner in our on-going efforts for creating a vital town center in Del Paso Heights." "This is a wonderful example of how the community, civic organizations and government can work together to create both beauty and function in a project for the benefit of Del Paso Heights," Dr. Mack said. "This is a tremendous asset that will help serve the needs of our community." The unique building was designed by the renowned architectural firm Mogavero Notestine Associates of Sacramento. In addition to the SHRA and HUD funding, the GSUL is raising nearly $2 million to pay for the rest of the building project. Approximately 1,000 acres of Del Paso Heights was designated a redevelopment area in 1970. Under SHRA's direction, more than $46 million in public and private funding has been invested in the revitalization of Del Paso Heights. As part of its Town Center plans for Del Paso Heights, the Agency recently acquired several other parcels along Marysville Boulevard near the GSUL building. The blighted buildings at 3713, 3717 and 3721 Marysville Blvd. were removed earlier this month to make way for new commercial and retail development. SHRA also is the lead public agency for the 154-acre Del Paso Nuevo community in Del Paso Heights, a planned community that will ultimately have 130 acres of new low-, medium- and high-density affordable housing. The first 54 homes, out of approximately 300, are expected to be available in 2001. SHRA is a joint powers authority created in 1973 by the City and County of Sacramento to represent both jurisdictions for community redevelopment and housing programs. The Agency also administers federal, state and local funds for community development and affordable housing. The Agency currently manages 10 redevelopment project areas and is the housing authority for about 9,000 families who receive rental assistance through the HUD Section 8 program. SHRA employs about 315 people and has an annual budget of about $129 million. McClellan Technology Incubator Becomes Sacramento'sNewest Home For Tomorrow's High-Tech Companies New Jobs, Business Growth Are Goals For Project By Sacramento County And Sacramento Housing And Redevelopment AgencySACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2000--The new McClellan Technology Incubator (MTI) building officially opened its doors for business today during dedication ceremonies that heralded the 28,000-square-foot facility as the new home for small, high-tech, start-up businesses in Sacramento County's northeast technology corridor. Former U.S. Congressman Vic Fazio was the keynote speaker for the dedication event and open house. Fazio was the area's congressional representative who was instrumental in obtaining the key federal funding for the $1.2 million MTI project. Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, whose First District includes McClellan Air Force Base, also was a featured speaker at the event along with Anne Moore, Executive Director of the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). "MTI is the type of project that is easy to support," Fazio said. "It's all about giving new life to an area by updating and re-using a facility so that you can foster an environment for creating new opportunities that translates into new businesses and new jobs." Dickinson, Chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said the MTI building "is another example of the county's successful efforts to rapidly convert the Air Force base to civilian and non-defense uses." "The county's efforts at McClellan are among the most successful in the nation in terms of base conversion activities. What we're seeing, and what MTI is also contributing to, is the transformation of McClellan from its proud role in the defense of our country to this vital economic engine for northern Sacramento County. Congratulations are due to all of the dedicated staff with the county and SHRA for making this a reality," Dickinson said. The MTI building has about 20 office suites designed to accommodate small companies who typically have 10 or fewer employees. Each company has access to three different conference and meeting rooms, a break room and kitchen, lobby, a shared copier and fax room and pooled receptionist. In addition, MTI Director Jay Vlahakis will work with the tenant businesses, assisting the companies with advice on business plans and introducing company officials to networking opportunities within the appropriate business community and venture capital networks. The U.S. Air Force is leaving the McClellan base in July 2001, about 65 years after the base was first established in 1936. The base covers about 3,000 acres and includes about 200 buildings with more than 8 million square feet of space. The Sacramento County Department of Military Base Conversion is leading efforts to transform the base to civilian and commercial use. SHRA began work on the MTI project in August 1998 after the county Board of Supervisors approved the agency's strategy plans for the incubator concept. The plans called for the MTI building to serve as a catalyst for new, start-up technology companies. Funding for the $1.26 million project included a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration; $150,000 from the California Trade and Commerce Agency's Defense Adjustment Grant; and a $511,000 loan from SHRA (www.shra.org). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is contributing about $428,000 to help cover the incubator's operating costs during its first four years of operations. The Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) is also contributing more than $17,000. SHRA is a joint powers authority created as a public agency in 1973 by the City and County of Sacramento to represent both jurisdictions for community redevelopment and housing programs. The agency also administers federal, state and local funds for community development and affordable housing efforts. SHRA currently manages 10 redevelopment project areas throughout the city and county and is the housing authority for about 8,000 families who receive rental assistance through the HUD Section 8 program. SHRA also owns about 3,500 residences of public housing. See the Sacramento Bee story at Sacbee.com High-Tech Incubator Opens Doors At McClellan AFB,Two New Tenants Announced At Dedication Ceremony Project Fosters Innovative Businesses & Job Growth For Sacramento County's Northeast Technology CorridorSACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2000--The McClellan Technology Incubator (MTI) building is quickly fulfilling its promise as the new home for small, high-tech, start-up businesses when it was announced today during dedication ceremonies that two companies have already made plans to move into the facility. MTI Director Jay Vlahakis told the crowd attending the Oct. 18th dedication ceremonies that two companies were recently approved by the MTI Board of Directors to move into the building. Amalgamated Video International, a company developing mobile broadcasting technology for the Internet, and Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, a company working on future high-speed Internet connectivity solutions, are expected to relocate to the MTI building later this year, Vlahakis said. "We have great expectations that these companies will go on to bigger and better things, but right now they're at the start-up phase where the board felt their needs made a good match with MTI's goals," Vlahakis said. "These companies represent nearly 20 jobs that are being brought to the area that, in turn, will further enhance local business opportunities and bolster this area as Sacramento's newest technology corridor." The MTI building, at 5022 Bailey Loop Drive on McClellan Air Force Base, is a 28,000 square foot facility with 20 office suites designed to accommodate small, high-tech start-up companies working in the computer software, Internet or telecommunications industries. Each company working out of the MTI building will have access to three different, fully equipped conference and meeting rooms, a break room and kitchen, lobby area, a shared copier and fax room and a pooled receptionist. Vlahakis also will work with the tenant businesses, assisting the companies with implementing their business plans and introducing company officials to networking opportunities within the appropriate business sectors and to venture capitalists. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) is the lead public agency for the two-year, $1.2 million project that completely renovated the historic building at McClellan Air Force Base. The building's interior was gutted and remodeled for the new office suites and meeting rooms, new heating and air conditioning was installed and a new fire and security system was put in place. Exterior improvements included new landscaping and a parking lot. "We've preserved a historic building and used it as a link to the future," said Anne Moore, SHRA's Executive Director. "MTI is today's home for tomorrow's leading high-tech companies. This is an important catalyst project that will help attract even more new jobs and economic growth during the coming years." Moore, who spoke during the dedication ceremonies, said both "SHRA and MTI are grateful to the leadership provided by (former) Congressman Vic Fazio who helped secure federal funding for the project and to our county Board of Supervisors who recognized the importance of doing this kind of a project." Fazio and Roger Dickinson, Chairman of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, also spoke during the special dedication ceremonies Oct. 18th. Project funding included a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration; $150,000 from the California Trade and Commerce Agency's Defense Adjustment Grant; and a $511,000 loan from SHRA (www.shra.org). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is contributing about $428,000 to help pay operating costs during the next four years and the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) is contributing $17,000. The Air Force plans to leave McClellan by July 2001. The Sacramento County Department of Military Base Conversion is leading efforts to convert the base to civilian and commercial use. High-tech companies that wish to be considered for occupancy at MTI should contact Vlahakis at (916) 566-1249. Companies must submit a viable business plan and pass the screening of the MTI Board of Directors before an offer is made. Additional information is available at MTI's website, www.mtisac.com. Teacher First Time Home Buyer ProgramThe Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) is one of seven jurisdictions in California that will be participating in a special program to help K-12 teachers and principals buy their first homes. SHRA will begin accepting applications around November 1st. Check back with us at our website for more details to be posted in the coming weeks. Until then, read about the program at SacBee.com. Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency Initiates Land Deal to Preserve Locke, the Nation’s Last Rural ChinatownAgency action needed to improve aging sewer systemSacramento, Calif., Aug. 29, 2000 -- The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) today released details about its plans to protect and revitalize the historic, 10-acre town of Locke, the nation’s last free-standing rural Chinatown community. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) today released details about its plans to protect and revitalize the historic, 10-acre town of Locke, the nation’s last free-standing rural Chinese-built community. Anne Moore, SHRA Executive Director, said the agency has signed an agreement with Locke Property Development Inc. that would give SHRA (www.shra.org) temporary custody of the land underneath the 51 buildings that make up the central town area. "We need to make critical improvements to Locke’s infrastructure before this wonderful community is lost. The county needs legal title if we’re going to get the improvements made in time before the sewer system fails," the executive director said. "There are strong historic reasons for preserving Locke, but the town is a unique living, rural community and it is important to maintain that too." Moore said escrow could last up to 16 months so that SHRA can initiate the infrastructure improvements and find a new owner for the 10-acre site. The ownership plans must have final approval of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. Improvements to Locke’s sewer system are estimated to cost approximately $1 million and take about one year to complete, said Stephen Young, SHRA's director of community redevelopment activities in the county. The building owners have been unable to do anything about their aging sewer system because they do not own the land, Young said. Officials for Locke Property Development Inc., meanwhile, have told SHRA the company is financially unable to fix the problem. "Without a working sewer system, Locke may have to be abandoned, " Young said. "If those buildings are left vacant, it's doubtful the structures would last very long." SHRA’s goal during the escrow period is to find or establish a new ownership entity that would assume control of the 10-acre parcel. The agency is looking at several ownership scenarios, "but given current building code requirements it is unlikely that the parcel could be subdivided into smaller lots that would connect the land to individual buildings," Young said. "SHRA will be holding extensive meetings with the residents, building owners and other interested stakeholders in Locke to help identify the ultimate custodian of the township," Young said. No decisions have been made yet on any specific recommendations to take to the county Board of Supervisors for final approval, he said. Once the sewer system is rehabilitated, building owners can then make improvements to their structures, Young said. The town of Locke was founded in 1915 by Chinese merchants, farmers and their families after their small Chinatown in Walnut Grove burned down. The merchants and residents only owned the buildings and leased the land from local rancher George Locke. The town is listed as a National Historic Landmark. SHRA is a joint powers authority created as a public agency in 1973 by the City and County of Sacramento to represent both jurisdictions for community redevelopment and housing programs. The agency also administers federal, state and local funds for community development and affordable housing. SHRA currently manages 10 redevelopment project areas and is the housing authority for about 8,000 families in Sacramento who receive rental assistance through the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program. The agency is the landlord-owner of about 3,500 residences of public housing Sacbee.com coverage of Locke purchase. Associated Press story on sfgate.com SF Chronicle Front Page Story on Locke |
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