Recently, Sacramento has seen a bump in its population and economy thanks to an influx of transplanted citizens. Several immigrant groups including Russian and Asian have started making Sacramento home. In addition, the low cost of living compared with other West Coast cities has enabled it to lure many new citizens into town, and there are plans not only to accommodate but also encourage more growth.
The Railyards Plan
One of the biggest undertakings for Sacramento today is the Railyards Plan. The 238-acres site is located just north of Sacramento's central business district and east of the Sacramento River. The project aims to reinforce the major transportation through that area of the city. The transportation improvement would help accessibility in downtown areas and further improve the circulation system, the city hopes. Employment and job creation is also another component of the plan.
The city also hopes to establish new housing options for "new-in-town" residents as a place to live in the city. The open space and community facilities planned are just some of the perks they hope will draw visitors to the area. The government's website also makes note that, most importantly, it hopes to accomplish their goals while protecting public health and safety and following all laws and regulations.
Specific plans for the area include creating a diverse housing system featuring a mix of housing types and a range of affordability. The plan also calls for space to be assigned for restaurants, performing arts, hotels and a space holder for a downtown sports arena. Additionally, plans are drawn for an urban mix of shops, marketplaces, and a museum. The planned transportation choices include regional rail, light rail, bus, bicycle and taxi-cab service.
The General Plan
The city has a "General Plan" to revitalize the city. By 2030, city officials expect to have updated systems in place for housing, traffic patterns, environmental protection, employment and land use. The main goals is to improve community and economic development while balancing environmental preservation.
Transportation
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT, http://www.sacrt.com/ ) operates 97 bus routes and more than 36 miles of light rail. The buses and light rail run 365 days. Buses operate daily from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and run every 15 to 75 minutes, depending on the route. The light rail trains begin operation at 4:30 a.m. with service every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evening. The Blue Line trains run until 1 a.m. and the Gold Line to Folsom runs until 7 p.m.
Ridership has more than doubled since the 14 million passengers transported by the bus and light rail in 1987, compared to the more than 30 million passengers in 2005. Additionally, RT's entire bus and light rail system is accessible to the disabled community. The RT even offers a door-to-door transportation service - in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act - for Sacramento area residents who are unable to use fixed-route service. This service's usage has more than doubled since 1993.
Climate
Sacramento has a warm Mediterranean climate. The winters are mild and the summers are dry and often very hot. Temperatures can easily reach the low 100s in the heat of the summer. However, the average annual maximum temperature is only around 73 degrees. The average annual minimum temperature typically is only as low as 49 degrees. Unlike San Diego and other cities in California which have Mediterranean-like climates, Sacramento receives a fair amount of precipitation. On average, annual rainfall is almost 20 inches, and it rains about 58 days a year
Sacramento at a Glance
- In a 2002 article, Time magazine and the Civil Rights Project of Harvard University identified Sacramento as the most racially/ethnically integrated major city in America.
- The region has recently been called "Silicon Valley East" with the expansion of new technology companies.
- Today, Sutter's Fort has been restored and can still be seen as part of Sacramento's historic past.
- Sacramento and its 6 million trees boast a total of 14 regional parks districts. Also known as the "City of Trees," Sacramento even has a foundation with its own website ( http://www.sactree.com/ ) that supports the current trees and planting of new ones in urban areas.
- Plans are in the works for a public wireless internet system that would connect several different institutes and organizations to better serve the community as a whole, ranging from connectivity to cameras, university networks, and even the fire department.
- The position of mayor was changed to a full-time job in 2002.
- Located in Sacramento, the California State Railroad Museum is the largest museum of its kind in North America, with modern and historical exhibits and trains.
Sources:
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,340694,00.html
http://www.saccounty.net/
http://www.10best.com