A vibrant downtown is a positive reflection of the surrounding city — it leaves a lasting impression on those choosing to visit, to live, to stay, and to contribute to the future of the region.
As Sacramento continues its evolution towards an intensely mixed-use mosaic at its center — the same formula which serves thriving cities around the world — we must lead with the premise that building a desirable, attainable, and truly LIVABLE urban neighborhood at our heart will be foundational to the success of California's capital region and to the long-term sustainability of our community.
Over the past year, Downtown Sacramento Partnership teamed up with 2023 State of Downtown keynote speaker Brent Toderian to observe conditions in the downtown Sacramento market, facilitate dialogue with a multidisciplinary group of residents, housing creators, urban livability skeptics, and regulatory experts from near and far. The themes which emerged have taken form in the Downtown Sacramento Livability Strategy which highlights the significant progress being made in Sacramento (California's first pro-housing designated jurisdiction), and emphasizes areas where we must do more if we are going to dramatically increase efficient, centrally-located housing opportunities and build a destination of choice for current and future downtown residents.
This is not a report, or a study... we have plenty of those already. It’s a strategy that compliments, and intends to add gravity to, existing plans such as Sacramento’s 2040 General Plan and Central City Specific Plan. This is a mindset shift to where downtowns must be if we want to open the floodgates of housing production — meeting the fundamental need we currently fall short on — and embracing a more resilient model for social wellness and civic, environmental, and economic sustainability through the creation of truly livable central neighborhoods.
