City of Sacramento Del Paso Boulevard Streetscape Improvement and Beautification Project, Sacramento
The Project
MTCo, as the prime consultant, was hired by the City of Sacramento to design a pedestrian and business friendly streetscape and beautification project along Del Paso Boulevard between Arden Way and El Camino Avenue in North Sacramento. Historically, Del Paso Boulevard has been the “Main Street” of North Sacramento, one of Sacramento's first developments outside of the Central City. The corridor was a major arterial connecting vehicular traffic to Downtown Sacramento but crime, and blight plagued the area.
The City and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency partnered to create a streetscape master plan with the intent of slowing traffic, increasing pedestrian friendliness, and reinvigorating the economic vitality of the boulevard through infrastructure investment. MTCo produced the construction documents that brought the planning documents to reality. The $6.7 million project increased on-street parking from approximately 89 spaces to 144 spaces, reconstructed 35,264 square feet of sidewalk, replaced 57 street lights, installed 44 truncated domes in ADA compliant ramps, planted 23 new trees, and decorated the corridor with new public art such as three new monument signs, one new clock tower, and six sculptures.
The Challenges
The City implemented this project in several phases. Median improvements, street lighting, angular parking, and public art were all constructed at different times, yet each phase had to be planned and coordinated to maximize efficiency. The largest phase, angular parking, required an aggressive schedule to meet state infrastructure loan deadlines and 100% plans were due to the City after only three months from the notice to proceed. Numerous public outreach meetings were scheduled with City Council, redevelopment agencies and the public at-large to keep all stakeholders informed.
The Results
MTCo investigated and prepared three preliminary corridor alternatives each with a different level of infrastructure improvements. Community input and budgeting considerations were weighed and subsequently MTCo prepared a full plans, specifications and estimate package for the boulevard that included the related landscaping and traffic signal components. This streetscape and beautification project was completed on-time, on-budget and provides a fantastic neighborhood gateway. It is seen as a focal point within the North Sacramento region and an example of what a great public works project can bring to society.