Newsletter Copy
Community weighs in on the Central Business District Revitalization Project
Project Overview
The City of Folsom is undertaking a revitalization plan for the Central Business District, located along East Bidwell Street from Riley Street to Blue Ravine. This master plan will create a comprehensive vision of the area, to enhance of overall livability and local economy with potential commercial, office, and housing opportunities, improved transportation for all modes of travel, and creation of community space and enhanced landscaping. This master plan will guide development and infrastructure improvements going forward.
What’s happened so far?
On August 22, 2023, the City Council formed the Central Business Advisory Committee (CAC) and appointed 18 committee members. The committee members represent economic development, local business and property owners, residents, recreation, transportation and mobility, tourism, and education/student advisors to help provide input into the process. The purpose of the committee is to garner a diverse perspective of community interests and provide guidance to the project planning team as they develop the master plan.
The committee has held two meetings so far, starting with one held on October 23, 2023, at the Folsom Public Library. The first CAC meeting focused on discussing community values and priorities for the planning area. Members were asked to share what they currently liked, what they found challenging, and recommendations on areas for improvement. They were also asked to share their thoughts about possible vision and goals statements. At the second meeting, members participated in a walking tour of the area and discussed possible development opportunities as well as enhancement within the public spaces.
The project team also hosted an online community questionnaire to obtain early input on community values, priorities, and vision for the planning area from Folsom residents and visitors. The survey was open for three weeks and more than 800 participants responded. Please visit the project webpage to view a summary of the questionnaire results, here.
As part of the project team’s community outreach initiatives, the project team hosted several pop-up events to build awareness about the planning effort and encourage participation in the community questionnaire. On Saturday, December 16, 2023, two project team members hosted a pop-up event outside Karen’s Bakery as well as at the Historic Folsom Farmers Market. In addition to providing community members with cards that provided a QR code link to the questionnaire, project team members asked the community to respond to two questions: what uses/amenities would you like to see expanded or created in the project area? And what ideas could support the area as a “destination” with a unique identity and “sense of place”?
What’s to come?
The project team will continue working with the CAC members and will hold a community workshop in the spring of 2024 where citizens can engage with the project and speak directly to the project team.
Additional information will be posted on the city’s project webpage as it becomes available. If you have questions, need additional information, or would like to be added to the project mailing list, contact Kathy Pease, AICP, the city’s planning consultant, at 916-812-0749 or kpease@masfirm.com.