The Sacramento City Council recently approved a revitalization plan for Old Sacramento Waterfront that is dramatically smaller than the plan it endorsed six years ago.

As outgoing Mayor Darrell Steinberg told the council on Nov. 19, the city has been discussing how to revive the National Historic Landmark north of the Tower Bridge for 60 years. And, as reported last month in Comstock’s Magazine, the city previously approved a $40 million plan to revitalize Old Sacramento Waterfront, including adding new docks and other attractions to the historic district next to the Tower Bridge.

The city paused the plan due to a decline in hotel-tax revenue, although the revenue returned to previous levels two years ago.

The revised plan recently approved by the city calls for $25 million in improvements to existing buildings and facilities, compared to the previous plan that was going to add new buildings and facilities, including an event deck on top of the Sacramento History Museum.

No explanation was given for the change at the Nov. 19 City Council meeting, although council members spoke about the need to spend economic development money throughout the city.

“I do want to reiterate what my colleagues said … when it comes to diversifying where funding goes in the future,” said outgoing Council Member Katie Valenzeula, who represents Old Sacramento Waterfront. “As much as I represent the central city, I also recognize that we’re the strongest when all parts of the city are strong.”

In addition to hoping to attract new visitors, the city cited safety concerns as a primary factor in the need for the improvements, including a $7.2 million to upgrade to the barge that provides access to Sacramento River docks and the Delta King Hotel. The city owns most of Old Sacramento Waterfront and leases properties to businesses.

The new plan calls for the city to spend $10 million to replace the 1-mile of wooden boardwalk throughout Old Sacramento Waterfront. The last comprehensive repair of the boardwalk was done 20 years ago.

The city says it will spend $7.8 million to make improvements to two existing buildings and two existing facilities. The city will update two marketplaces on the northern end and two buildings on the southern end.

The buildings once served restaurants — Steamers recently vacated a building that it used as a kitchen annex. The other building once housed the Rio City Cafe, one of the city’s most popular restaurants until the owners were forced to shut down because the city refused to make needed safety improvements.

The city has hired a consultant who will solicit proposals from businesses for the former Rio City Cafe and Steamers buildings.

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