Published: November 21, 2007
Folsom Streetscape Survey Results Show Common Ground, Differences
By Alan Gray 
With the Folsom Streetscape Concept plan approved by the Folsom Historic District Association (the merchants), the Historic District Commission and the Folsom City Council, the next step in the plan is to create a design.
Although there were 14 public meetings over the past two years, there was some confusion and misinformation about what was happening. The Concepts for the Streetscape were managed by FEDCorp, the Folsom Economic Development Corporation. FEDCorp worked hard to include anyone who wanted to be included, but with so much time needing to be given up, and previous efforts at revitalization having failed, many people not only didn't take part, but also didn't appear to be interested.
Deteriorating shed roof, Sutter Street Folsom
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The step-by-step movement of the plan was designed to allow the maximum number of people to participate and also to allow a general concensus to be formed.
Discussions in the local forums at myfolsom.com showed that people are apparently poles apart on the issues, many people not understanding what was happening.
In an effort to throw some light on the subject, John Gladding of myfolsom.com discussed the idea of running a local survey of the Sutter Street merchants, to ask their feelings about the Streetscape concept.
So I set out, just over a week ago, in what I expected would be a four hour loop through the commercial district to get data for the survey. It ended up being a 16 hour job, plus three hours to write the story, running over six days - and I still didn't speak to (or find) all merchants.
I saw first-hand the problems of trying to include all merchants. Merchants open at widely different times and not all are open every day. Jeff Ferreira-Pro said he had similar problems when trying to include everyone. As I went around the district, it was clear that there were misconceptions about what had been approved by the City. That meant I spent a lot of time explaining what had been approved and what the next steps were.
Merchants in the 800 block were not surveyed due to lack of time. I will try to address this issue.
The two survey questions were very simple:
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the Streetscape Concept
2. What concerns do you have?
Here is my explanation of the concept, that I gave when asked:
The facade improvement program is an initiative of the Folsom Redevelopment Agency. All facade improvements must be approved by the Folsom Historic Commission, then the Redevelopment Agency (if the building owner wants to receive the grant money to pay part of the work).
The Streetscape Concept approved by so many people and groups who had put in their time and effort over two years comes down to the following:
1. To remove the median all along Sutter Street
2. To use the space taken by the median to widen the sidewalks, narrowing the roadway from 32 feet to 26 feet.
3. To remove the shed roofs, repair the building facades and replace roofs with either another roof, overhang or awning, depending on what the individual building owner wants and the HDC and redevelopment agency approves.
Notes:
A solid roof is likely to be lower maintenance, longer lasting, more useful - rain or shine - and add more value than an awning, so it may be more likely to be used by most building owners, in my opinion.
The existing trees are at the end of their life.
The trees stand in less than two feet of soil, apparently above 18 inches of solid concrete of old US highway 50.
All of the trees and the median need to be removed in order to replace all the clay sewers.
One thing that was widely misunderstood is that the concept drawing was just an example of what could be done, that a shed roof did not have to be replaced with an awning, it could be replaced with a shed roof or other overhang. It was up to the building owner, but it also has to be approved by the Historic District Commission, the guardians of Folsom history. Many of the current shed roofs are in deep decay and some are causing damage to the building facades.
Survey Results
Of the 32 merchants asked, 23 agree with the concept. Seven disagree with the concept. One merchant had only been open for one month and didn't know enough to comment. One merchant wants something to happen, but is undecided on whether to agree or disagree.
The seven merchants who disagreed and the undecided merchant probably would have agreed if the concept did not include removing the median.
In other words, almost everyone agrees the shed roofs need major maintenance. In addition, everyone agrees the large trees in the median are at the end of their life, that they are dangerous and in need of removal. (those large trees stand in less than two feet of soil) All those against the concept would like the sewers fixed, the median replaced, mature trees planted back in the median, the shed roofs removed, facades fixed and new coverings to replace the roofs.
The merchants who disagree are in the 700 block and most have been on Sutter Street for thirty years or more. The single dividing issue is the median. It isn't historic but it is unique. It isn't pretty but it has charm. It isn't useful but it is Folsom. This is the challenge.
Regarding the concerns, there was almost universal agreement. The merchants are concerned about the impact of any construction on their business, the length of time it will take and access for visitors and customers. Only a few voiced concern about the historic integrity because most understand that everyone involved recognizes the need to retain the historic character and changes have to be approved by the Historic District Commission.
The next step of the plan, just commenced, is the design phase. Anyone who wants to contribute should do so now. [ Historic District Revitalization Program ]
Part of Historic Sutter Street, Folsom
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I will continue to talk to merchants and try to reach those I haven't reached already. The FHDA recognizes that it must further improve communication. Merchants, because they set their own hours and cannot always be reached, must realise they bear some responsibility to be aware of what is going on, either by being on the mailing list and reading communications or to call and ask. In other words, it should be a cooperative effort.
Make your comments heard at myfolsom.com
See Also:
Historic District Revitalization Project Manager Addresses Historic Commission
Folsom Historic District Commission Special Meeting to Consider Streetscape Plan
Folsom Streetscape Concept Passes Council Approval, Unanimously
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