By Mike Hazlip—
Business owners and representatives from the Auburn Boulevard Business Association (ABBA) on Tuesday heard from a number of city officials addressing questions and concerns about revitalizing the high-traffic corridor.
Mayor Porsche Middleton told attendees the city would like to see the Auburn Boulevard corridor become “a destination” rather than just a thoroughfare for commuters, and recently hired City Manager Ashley Feeney said revitalization of the corridor is a priority for the City Council.
“Seeing what’s going on in the boulevard here, I’m sure that all the construction activity when it’s going on is challenging for business and property owners,” he told the group on Tuesday, referencing the city’s long-anticipated second phase of street improvements on the boulevard. “But I think at the end of the day it really does greatly improve that public realm where you can see investment.”
General Services Director Regina Cave told the group about 90% of the civil engineering ground work is complete for the city’s second phase of revitalization. Once complete, the city aims to submit the plans to CalTrans for approval by late 2022 or early 2023, Cave said.
The project will be a continuation of the first phase of work, which was completed in 2014 and extended from Sylvan Corners to Rusch Park. The second phase will extend the project to the Roseville border and will include undergrounding of overhead utility lines, installation of bike lanes and wider sidewalks, upgrading signals, adding decorative street lighting, planting of new landscaping and trees, adding center medians, upgrading storm drains, roadway resurfacing, enhanced transit stops and a new gateway sign over the boulevard.
The mix of federal and state funding for the $22-plus million project makes the approval process more complex, according to Cave. The city hopes to award the contract and begin work in 2023.
City staff also outlined progress with other development projects and grant opportunities targeted at improving Auburn Boulevard and businesses across the city.
Sylvan Corners
Huber said the city is still entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Woodside Homes for the 11-acre, currently vacant property at Sylvan Corners. The Sentinel previously reported soil contamination associated with the former middle school was found during a Phase II environmental report conducted by Woodside Homes.
The matter is “nothing to worry about,” Huber said, noting the sale agreement is still in process.
Former Movie Grill Building
Huber said the new owner of the half-completed former Studio Movie Grill building, Arizona-based real estate investment trust Store Capital, understands the value of the asset and the city is working with them “very closely” to find a new user. She said staff are having “weekly, if not daily,” conversations about the site.
“What I want this group to know is that is our number one priority site for us along the boulevard. We know it’s highly visible, both from our boulevard and from the freeway,” Huber said. “You all work so hard to elevate our boulevard and we want to make sure the rest do their part as well.”
Retail to Rooftops Program
Huber also outlined another grant program aimed at property owners along the Auburn Boulevard corridor, billed as “Retail to Rooftops.” She said the grant provides policy and incentive for property owners along the boulevard to convert commercial real estate into housing.
Activate Auburn
A third program available to business and property owners along Auburn Boulevard provides complementary exterior design services and 50% matching dollars to complete the work. A number of businesses along Auburn Boulevard have taken advantage of the program, including Crepes and Burgers, Just Tea It, and Lilliput Families.
COVID Recovery Grant
The city has also begun receiving applications from local businesses for a newly launched small business recovery program, with $320,000 coming from American Rescue Plan Act funds to help small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Any commercial business located and licensed in Citrus Heights and operating in 2019 with annual revenues of $3 million or less for that year is eligible. Businesses are required to show a net revenue loss of at least 25% for 2020 or 2021 compared to 2019. Additional requirements can be found on the city’s website.
Tuesday’s meeting was held at Runs With Scissors Quilt Shop on Auburn Boulevard, and was the monthly meeting for the boulevard association. Food and beverages for the event were provided by local businesses, according to ABBA President Rich Hale.
