It Takes a Village
Work continues on world-class ‘surban’ community
By Jessica Laskey
April 2019
Construction is ramping up again at Crocker Village. BlackPine Communities—the builder of other high-profile local infill projects like California Brownstones and The Creamery—will begin work on three additional villages in the next few months.
“It is a world-class ‘surban’ community,” says BlackPine president and COO Mike Paris. “The architectural style and design is uniquely different, with architectural influences ranging from the brownstones in Park Slope, New York City, to the classic genres of the historical ‘park’ neighborhoods throughout Sacramento.”
The first phase of the project, formerly known as Curtis Park Village, started in late 2014 and was limited to 86 lots on the east side of Crocker Road. Paris expects the new construction—Phases Two and Three—to be sold and built out by late summer.
The three villages will include 52 larger one- and two-story estate-style homes ranging from 1,866 to 2,785 square feet; 65 one- and two-story estate-style homes ranging from 2,139 to 2,705 square feet; and 83 two-story court-style homes ranging from 1,628 to 2,070 square feet.
As for retail, the Safeway flagship store opened in March. The store will anchor the Crocker Village retail center alongside other recently announced tenants, such as LA Fitness’ City Sports Club and fast-casual Chinese restaurant Panda Express.
SHAKIN’ IT UP IN OLD SACRAMENTO
If you’re thirsty for milkshakes with a side of history, get thee to Milk House Shakes. The counter-style eatery—owned by self-proclaimed First Lady of Milk Shakes, Kelly Boyles—opened on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12) in Old Sacramento.
Boyles credits fond memories of visits with her grandparents to a favorite hamburger joint for her love of milkshakes, which was further cemented during college at USC at a campus café.
Boyles’ dream of opening her own milkshake shop combined with her love of presidential history became a reality when she won the 2017 Calling All Dreamers competition. The contest, sponsored by the Downtown Partnership Foundation, takes applicants through a rigorous business-development process for a chance to open their own storefront.
Milk House Shakes offers six milkshakes named after presidents—Boyles plans to eventually create a shake for all 44 U.S. presidents—along with a build-your-own option and a variety of coffee drinks.
NEW GIG FOR SACRAMENTO
If you thought Jump Bike was an innovative way to get around the city, GIG Car Share takes it to the next level.
The newly introduced electric car-sharing program allows app users to pick up and drop off a vehicle within a designated “HomeZone” for rates as low as $2.50 per mile, $15 per hour or $85 per day—which includes charging, parking and insurance.
“I believe that our new free-floating car-share program will provide another option for people trying to spend their transportation dollars wisely,” says Fedolia “Sparky” Harris, principal planner for the city of Sacramento. “GIG will be the first company to provide this service in Sacramento and comes with the added benefit of an all-electric fleet of vehicles that will have no emissions and can introduce more people to electric cars.”
As many as 260 Chevy Bolts have been deployed and are now available for public use in Midtown, Downtown, East Sacramento, Oak Park and Tahoe Park. The cars are operated by AAA as part of a “Green City” initiative through Electrify America, which committed $44 million to Sacramento’s “Sac-to-Zero” program to accelerate the use of shared clean-mobility transportation.
The GIG app can be downloaded on the App Store and Google Play.
MAKING FAIRYTALES COME TRUE
Fairytale Town recently announced a capital campaign to support the expansion and enhancement of its infrastructure as it prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
The campaign will support a two- to five-year, multiphase, $3 million to $6 million master plan designed by WMB Architects to expand the park by a half acre, allowing more space for active play, early childhood education opportunities and improved amenities.
“Millions of children have grown up at Fairytale Town—and now Fairytale Town will be growing too,” says executive director Kathy Fleming.
The first phase will include building the Sacramento Story Center, a flexible indoor space allowing for all-weather programming; adding an outdoor classroom for school fieldtrips and workshops; building a new entry plaza to streamline ticketing; adding new and improved restrooms for Fairytale Town’s 250,000 visitors per year; and improving pedestrian and stroller access.
Future phases will include the addition of up to five new playsets; improvements to the Dish & Spoon Café; additional walkways; expansion of garden areas; and an additional restroom. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org.
LET THERE BE LIGHTS!
You don’t have to do your workout in the dark anymore! Thanks to Vice Mayor Steve Hansen’s office, Capital Area Development Authority and City of Sacramento Public Works, Roosevelt Park was recently outfitted with brand-new streetlights in a historic acorn style.
“This lighting project has been part of a multi-year effort to bring new programming to the park by creating a focus on fitness,” Hansen says, referring to the park’s renovated basketball courts, Kaiser Permanente fitness court and upcoming upgrades to the baseball field, backstop, bathrooms and fencing.
“In partnership with CADA, we are working to ensure that Roosevelt is vibrant and welcoming to people of all fitness levels.”
EAST LAWN PRESENTATIONS
We all need to leave behind more than just memories—we need to leave behind detailed plans. To help in that effort, East Lawn is offering three complimentary informational presentations this month.
The 25-minute sessions will be held Thursday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park & East Sacramento Mortuary, 4300 Folsom Blvd.; Wednesday, April 10, at 11:30 a.m. at East Lawn Andrews & Greilich Mortuary, 3939 Fruitridge Road; and Wednesday, April 17, at 11:30 a.m. at Sierra Hills Memorial Park & East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane.
Reservations are required and seating is limited. To RSVP for April 4, call (916) 732-2000; for April 10, call (916) 732-2026; and for April 17, call (916) 732-2020. A complimentary meal will be served. For more information, visit eastlawn.com.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month.
