Published: October 05, 2007
Historic District Revitalization Project Manager Addresses Historic Commission
By Alan Gray, NewsBlaze 
The Folsom Historic District Commission held a hearing on Wednesday October 3 to consider a proposed Conceptual Design for Sutter Street.
Jeff Ferreira-Pro, a resident of Figueroa Street and FEDCorp Project Manager for the Historic District Revitalization project made the following statement.
"For the past two years, the revitalization project has been facilitating public input to identify the interests and concerns of the various stakeholder groups involved in the Historic District. Before I comment on the Streetscape proposal, I want to mention how I believe the community has changed since we started the Revitalization project.
"The visioning exercise we went through as a community identified common interests and values shared by virtually everyone in the district. Foremost among those values was the belief that the Historic District has a special character and personality that sets it apart. It defines it as something more than just another shopping mall. It is a special place and we don't want to lose that.
"With that common ground as the basis of our efforts, we've held 14 public meetings, countless meetings with individual stakeholder groups and have well over 300 people on our email list. (By the way, if you're not on the list, please let me know and I'll be happy to add you). We got very strong community support for the Streetscape recommendations from those who participated. Yes, there have been disagreements and misgivings, but the general tone of discussions has been cooperative and positive.
"After hearing about all the alternatives, most people involved expressed a clear preference for the recommended alternative.
"For those opposed (and even for many in favor), the concerns expressed generally fell into one of these categories:
Don't lose Sutter Street's sense of character and charm
Maintain diversity block-by-block and building-by-building
Provide shade and rain protection
Make room for store-front deliveries
"I believe all those concerns can be addressed going forward as we work on the detailed design.
"In a way I'm glad that this Streetscape proposal has gotten a strong response because it has encouraged more people to get involved. The key point I want to make is that the proposal being considered is a Conceptual Design. It addresses some critical issues that needed attention anyway like ADA accessibility and unhealthy trees. In my opinion it doesn't redefine the character of the street. It has the potential to make the street more pedestrian friendly and more functional.
"What could change the feel of the street are the many specific design detail decisions still ahead of us such as textures, paving materials, tree species, public art, street furniture and especially the facade improvement plans. Those decisions should be openly discussed by the community with the goal of protecting Sutter Street's personality as a primary consideration.
"As we were developing the conceptual design recommendations we formed a nine member Streetscape Committee with representatives from merchant, resident, historic preservationist, arts and bicycling groups to help refine the recommendations. We need to use that committee again for this detailed design phase. I'd like to specifically suggest that we expand the committee to include Cindy Baker and Courtney Puffer. I believe their long tenure in the area and their knowledge of the history of Sutter Street could be invaluable in helping us get this right.
"Bottom line for me is to continue the community dialogue and collaboration efforts that have evolved since the project began, so we can harvest the collective wisdom of the community and insure that the historic district remains the special place that we all love.
Editor's Note: There were so many speakers that the meeting is to be extended to Friday - See also: Folsom Historic District Commission Special Meeting to Consider Streetscape Plan
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