Investment Rises
$86 Million Targeted on Arden Way
By Susan Peters
January 2019
Sacramento County experienced growth and major investment over the past year as the economy improved. The Office of Building Permits and Inspections issued more than 15,610 residential permits and 3,183 commercial building permits last year. That is a significant increase from during the recession in 2010 when residential permits were at a low of 8,271 and only 2,146 permits were issued for commercial buildings.
There also were some major investment announcements. US Foods proposed a $71-million, 355,000-square-foot distribution facility and a 23,000-square-foot meat-processing facility at McClellan Park in North Highlands. According to the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, the project will drive up to $59 million in economic impact and follows the successful investment made by Amazon in 2017 of its 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center near Sacramento International Airport.
Closer to home, major economic investment is occurring along the Arden Way corridor. A combined private development investment of $86 million is being spent by the How Bout Arden shopping center, Mercedes Benz of Sacramento, Estelle patisserie, Arden Square shopping center, St. Ignatius School’s remodel, California Family Fitness and Arden Creek Town Center.
According to the county’s Department of Finance, more than 6,500 new and renewed business licenses have been issued. Among the unique new businesses coming to our area is Rebounderz, the largest trampoline park and family fun center locally. The center will open at Country Club Plaza and include dodgeball, a ninja warrior course, rock-climbing walls and a parents’ lounge in which to relax as the kids play.
These statistics show Sacramento County is a place to do business!
ROAD FUNDING
The retention of the SB 1 gas tax by voters in the last election will allow Sacramento County to continue to invest in improving the roads and streets in the unincorporated area.
The gas tax has already provided Sacramento County approximately $7.3 million in partial-year funding with another $21 million expected this fiscal year. The county is expected to receive an average of more than $24 million per year over the next 10 years.
To track county road projects funded by the SB 1 gas tax, visit sacdot.com, under “Projects & Programs.” More projects will be added as funds from the gas tax become available.
The gas tax funds will go a long way to halt the deterioration of the unincorporated area’s roadway system. The Department of Transportation estimates the current pavement-maintenance backlog is $700 million. The gas tax also is funding curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs, traffic signal upgrades, street light installation and bridge replacements.
The passage of Proposition 69 last June securely earmarks the gas tax funding for transportation projects by ensuring the money will not be diverted to non-transportation projects.
HUMAN SERVICES HEROES
The Board of Supervisors recently recognized several Heroes of Human Services as part of the county’s Human Services Coordinating Council awards honoring residents and organizations that have touched the lives of others through advocacy, dedication, service and support.
Honorees include Fair Oaks resident Geri Beck, who helps others through organizations like Family Promise, Women’s Empowerment and Carmichael Homeless Assistance Resource Team, to name a few.
Also recognized is the Assistance League of Sacramento. Through its 281 members and 100 community volunteers, the league donated 65,532 hours of service last year, helping 21,212 people in our area. Since the chapter’s inception in 1968, the assistance league has touched the lives of more than 405,446 individuals.
Other honorees include employees from the Department of Human Assistance, which founded DHA-CARES in 2015. DHA-CARES partners with local agencies so staff can volunteer their time, as a team or with family and friends, to help those in need. In 2017, 210 DHA employees volunteered at eight organizations and initiated a last-minute donation drive to assist families affected by the Sonoma County fire.
GRAND JURY SERVICE
The Sacramento County Superior Court is now accepting applications for Grand Jury service for 2019-20. Grand Jury service is often referred to as being a “citizen watchdog” of local government with the role of monitoring and reviewing government actions.
To be eligible, you must be a U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of Sacramento County and not currently serving in any elected office. For more information, call (916) 874-7559 or visit sacgrandjury.org. The application deadline is Jan. 26.
HOMELESS COUNT
Volunteer registration for the 2019 Homeless Point-In-Time Count is now open. This biennial count is a countywide special census required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and provides a snapshot of who is experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Volunteers are needed for the count, which will be conducted during the evenings of Jan. 30 and 31. Sacramento Steps Forward, a nonprofit organization committed to ending homelessness, is partnering with Sacramento State’s Division of Social Work and the Institute for Social Research in this effort. Participants will be trained and grouped in teams to canvass the community in organized deployments.
No prior experience is required, but volunteers must be 18 years or older, have a strong interest in helping people who are experiencing homelessness, and attend the required training to learn to safely conduct accurate counts. For more information, email volunteer@sacstepsforward.org.
PREPARE FOR WINTER
Winter is here so be prepared. Following are a few tips to stay safe.
Check on senior family members, friends or neighbors who might be vulnerable during a cold spell. Elderly people and those with serious medical conditions are especially at risk.
