URGENT: Save 1950 Arden Way/Former Home Savings & Loan Bank!

Welcome to Sacramento—would you like fries with that?

There’s a battle brewing at the highly prominent corner of Arden Way and Exposition Boulevard on the outskirts of the City of Sacramento that would dramatically alter the triangular site of the Point West neighborhood. At stake is demolition versus preservation of a former and historic Home Savings & Loan bank which is clad in Italian travertine with two large-scale exterior mosaic murals and an interior mural designed by renowned artist and architectural designer Millard Sheets.

More emails are needed (see example letters below) by August 26, 2024 to urge City Council to support landmarking/adaptive reuse of the bank. City Council will make their decision after hearing presentations and public testimony at the meeting scheduled for August 27, 2024 at 5:00PM at City Hall.

Background and Issues: Currently, the highest accepted bid for the site is from Shake Shack, who intends to tear down the historic landmark and replace it with car-centric drive-through restaurants—even though they have a past record of adaptively reusing a historic landmark in Sandy, Utah (see before and after). The corporation is busting out of its home-grown, boutique image and hitting the country with a newly-minted competitive business model that ironically abandons its mission to “Stand for Something Good ®.” If built, the point in Point West will become a fast food drive-through beacon in an area already saturated with other franchises, adding more traffic jams and carbon emissions to an area known for having one of top 20% rates of asthma in California. This would also be completely out of compliance with several goals and policies delineated in the City of Sacramento’s 2040 General Plan relating to drive-throughs, pedestrian and transit orientation on a future high transit corridor, enhanced gateways, sustainability, and community access to healthy food. Point West is a mix of retail, commercial, offices, and multifamily housing, though residents in the area lack many community-friendly services. These neighbors—and residents in adjacent West Arden Arcade, identified as an Environmental Justice Community by Sacramento County—deserve better.

It started when power investors purchased the bank and, after failing to secure a tenant, decided to prepare the site for sale—which included pursuing entitlements for demolition. They consulted with the offices of a politically-connected land use attorney with deep ties to the City Council, and contacted the City of Sacramento’s Community Development Department who, per standard procedure, instructed the group to conduct an historic evaluation. The investors’ architectural historian produced a report that preservation organizations SacMod.org, Preservation Sacramento, and internationally recognized Millard Sheets expert, Adam Arenson disputed—and provided corrected information. The City of Sacramento Preservation Office conducted their own examination, which resulted in a separate report with findings supported by: the City of Sacramento Preservation Commission, who provided critical in-depth analysis of the investors’ report (see transcripts 1 and 2); Adam Arenson; Preservation Sacramento; SacMod.org; and local historians. Meanwhile, the investor-owners have let the property fall into decay and have failed to prevent damage by trespassers—a tactic known as “demolition by neglect,” that helps hasten the property’s demise.

There is an alternative: a local consultant/developer intends to step forward and states he submitted a second back-up offer for the property. If Sacramento’s City Council determines the historic bank is eligible to be listed on the City of Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources, the local developer says Shake Shack will back out and his second bid will be accepted. The local developer expresses the desire to preserve the historic bank and adaptively reuse the site to serve the surrounding community. Which sounds better to you? Adaptive reuse of a stone-clad historic landmark with iconic public art? Or more fast food drive-throughs?

Who decides the fate of this battle? You have the power to speak up. Many thanks to those of you who already have written emails, but more input from people in the community is needed! By August 26, 2024, email City Council and Shake Shack with a copy to preservation organizations and tell them what you think! Use the email addresses and sample text below.

 

Stand with SacMod.org, Preservation Sacramento, and Vintage Arden Arcade to push back against demolition! If enough people express the desire to landmark the historic bank, Sacramento City Council just might take a stand for something good when they decide its fate on August 27, 2024.

Please write via email by August 26, 2024 (sample letters below) to:

  1. Mayor Darrell Steinberg; District 1 Councilmember Lisa Kaplan; District 2 Acting Councilmember Shoun Thao; District 3 Councilmember Karina Talamantes; District 4 Councilmember Katie Valenzuela; District 5 Councilmember Caity Maple; District 6 Councilmember Eric Guerra; District 7 Councilmember Rick Jennings; and District 8 Councilmember Mai Vang (emails below). Voice your opposition to demolition of 1950 Arden Way and support for landmarking the building. Encourage them to show their commitment to a healthier and more sustainable city!
    • Important — please cc: SacMod.org; Preservation Sacramento; Preservation Director Sean deCourcy

      

  2. Shake Shack share@shakeshack.com: Encourage them to adaptively reuse the historic building/site—and create a better community experience like they did at The School Yard. Remind them that the building holds invaluable public art and there is room at the former Home Savings & Loan bank site for adaptive reuse of the historic building PLUS additional room for further growth. Furthermore, there is no need for drive-through as demonstrated elsewhere in Sacramento at the Ice Blocks.


Examples of other current / successful adaptively reused Home Savings & Loan banks in California you can mention in your letter:

Pacific Beach, CA: Family Health Centers of San Diego

La Mesa, CA: JCS Manzanita School 

Redlands, CA: Finney’s Crafthouse

Coronado, CA: Walgreen’s

Montebello, CA: Urgent Care Center

Other adaptively reused Sacramento banks in Sacramento:

Buca di Beppo

Crawford & Associates

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Sample letters — cut and paste! Or write your own by 7/29/24:

To: engage@cityofsacramento.org, district1@cityofsacramento.org, snthao@cityofsacramento.org, district3@cityofsacramento.org, kvalenzuela@cityofsacramento.org, district5@cityofsacramento.org, eguerra@cityofsacramento.org, rjennings@cityofsacramento.org, district8@cityofsacramento.org
cc: info@sacmod.org, preservation.sacramento@gmail.com, sdecourcy@cityofsacramento.org

Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,

Based on the facts presented by the City of Sacramento Preservation Office and backed by experts, historians, and the preservation community, I support the landmarking and adaptive reuse of the historic bank located at 1950 Arden Way and am asking you to do the same. The proposed demolition of the existing building and replacement with drive-throughs would have terrible consequences for the neighborhood/adjacent communities—resulting in more traffic problems and carbon emissions. The area is already saturated with other fast food franchises.

If you fail to support landmarking, it means you support a project that is completely out of compliance with the City of Sacramento’s 2040 General Plan—which you overwhelmingly supported in February. Relevant goals and policies in the General Plan specifically address drive-throughs, pedestrian safety, transit orientation, enhanced gateways, sustainability, and underserved communities’ access to healthy food and better air quality. Point West and adjacent West Arden Arcade neighborhood, an Environmental Justice Community, are home to many residents in multifamily housing with limited access to community-friendly services. They deserve better.

A local developer with a back-up offer wishes to preserve and adaptively reuse the historic bank. Other cities, such as Pacific Beach, La Mesa, Redlands, Coronado, and Montebello have successful examples of adaptive reuse of former Home Savings & Loan banks. In Sacramento, examples of adaptively reused banks include Buca di Beppo on Howe and Crawford & Associates on Freeport. Please vote in favor of landmarking 1950 Arden Way and adding it to the City of Sacramento Register of Historic and Cultural Resources. Thank you.

________________________________________________

To: share@shakeshack.com  cc: info@sacmod.org, preservation.sacramento@gmail.com, sdecourcy@cityofsacramento.org

Based on the facts presented by the City of Sacramento Preservation Office and backed by experts, historians, and the preservation community, I support the landmarking and adaptive reuse of the historic bank located at 1950 Arden Way in Sacramento, CA—a site that Shake Shack has submitted an offer to purchase in order to demolish and build a drive-through.

As a member of the community, I am calling on Shake Shack to “Stand for Something Good ®” by setting aside your drive-through plans and restoring the existing building and site for a walk-in restaurant—like you did in Sandy, Utah. Adaptive reuse is more sustainable—and saving the only public art in the area would be remembered and appreciated by potential customers.

If you acquire the site, it is large enough to accommodate the company’s objectives without destruction of the historic bank. There is no need for a drive-through—as demonstrated elsewhere in Sacramento by the success of your restaurant at the Ice Blocks. Please reconsider your proposed business model and adaptively reuse 1950 Arden Way. Thank you.

Photos: Justin Wood

If you prefer this information in PDF format, you may download it here.

South Land Park Hills Eichler Homes Historic District!


It’s official—we are pleased to announce the South Land Park Hills Eichler Homes Historic District! It is the first Mid-Century Modern and the first City of Sacramento residential historic district outside of the downtown “grid.”

We have worked on this long-term as a neighbor and organization. This project is the culmination of many volunteer hours and dedicated research efforts over many years.

We are so glad to see this historic district materialize as intended from the 2017 Mid-Century Modern Survey & Context Statement — a collaborative effort that was funded in part by our 2010, 2013, and 2016 neighborhood home tours.

Thanks to all who were involved in this endeavor! A big shout-out to the people behind the years-long project to create the South Land Park Hills Eichler Homes Historic District! It took a village to create this and 5-10 years, depending on how you look at it. Had it not been for this core group of neighbors at the end, this might not have happened.

Many thanks to the SacMod.org board members since our organization began; the volunteers and architectural historians who tirelessly worked on the Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Historic Survey & Context; the hard work of three City of Sacramento Preservation Directors; the California Office of Historic Preservation and our friends at Eichler Network, Preservation Sacramento and South Land Park Neighborhood Association for their encouragement and support over the years. And last, but not least, the homeowners and attendees of our past home tours and events!

A group of neighbors survey an Eichler home from the other side of the street.
The making of the ‘South Land Park Hills Historic District’ was a two-pronged effort that involved winning over neighbors, and meetings with city officials to work out details. Above, members of the ‘Eichler Historic District Design Guidelines Advisory Committee’ survey all the Eichlers in the neighborhood to determine which will be ‘contributors’ to the nomination. Photo: Gretchen Steinberg

You can read the Eichler Network story “Eichler Victory in Sacramento!” by Dave Weinstein. 

 

Sacramento Zoo Entrance Structures Landmarked!

UPDATE 2.21.23:

The Sacramento Zoo Entrance is now a historic landmark!

We are delighted to report that the ordinance for the Sacramento Zoo Entrance structures was unanimously passed by City Council! It is now listed on the Sacramento Register for Historic and Cultural Resources. We are grateful that City Council recognizes the hyperbolic paraboloids’ historic significance.

Many thanks to everyone who submitted emails and letters of support. Hundreds of comments were sent. Your voices mattered and made a huge impact!

We encourage and support historic rehabilitation of the historic Zoo Entrance — its historic status now makes preservation funding possible for much-needed repairs and restoration.

 

ORIGINAL POST FROM 2.15.21:

The ordinance to landmark the Sacramento Zoo Entrance structures is scheduled to be heard and decided by City Council next Tuesday, February 21, 2023. We urge you to add your voice in support of the landmarking effort. Our friends at Preservation Sacramento have made it easy! Just click on the underlined text in the previous sentence to jump to their handy email generator so you can easily show your support. It takes only seconds!

This landmarking effort began over eleven years ago as part of a City of Sacramento-led survey. As a result of the survey findings, SacMod facilitated a more intensive and focused historic evaluation of the hyperbolic paraboloid structures, resulting in a National Register Nomination. 

SacMod stands with the Sacramento historic preservation community — the City of Sacramento’s Preservation Directors over the years; architectural historians from Mead & Hunt, Inc.; the City of Sacramento Preservation Commission, and Preservation Sacramento — as well as with City of Sacramento residents who wish to see the Zoo Entrance structures preserved.

The Sacramento Zoo entrance (1961) was designed by Kenneth Rickey and Fred Brooks. The largest building originally doubled as a concession stand to all William Land Park visitors. These iconic structures are an important, rare, and intact example of a Mid-Century Modern style known as Googie.

They are a beautiful portal to the Zoo — and also serve as a visual transition to the South Land Park neighborhood — which is known for its abundant mid-20th century architecture. The entrance to the Sacramento Zoo has been well-loved by multiple generations. It is an irreplaceable and distinct place in our cityscape and collective memory. We are delighted to see these 61 year old structures being recognized — and hope this landmarking will help ensure they will be preserved and enjoyed by future generations.

For more details regarding the effort toward landmarking effort and reasons for support, please see letters from SacMod and Preservation Sacramento.

Please enjoy our slide show of historic images of the Sacramento Zoo entrance structures!

Images in slide show via SacMod’s archive, the Center for Sacramento History, and the City of Sacramento’s Youth Parks and Community Enrichment Department

Join us at Preservation Sacramento’s 2021 Virtual Historic Home Tour – October 24th and November 7th!

We are pleased to announce that we are collaborating with Preservation Sacramento for a virtual home tour in 2021!

Preservation Sacramento’s 2021 Historic Home tour is an online tour, including several unique and historic homes located throughout the city of Sacramento. Selected to ensure the safety and well-being of members, tour visitors, and homeowners, this video tour has several advantages.

The online tour is accessible for all, including those who are geographically far from Sacramento, and is accessible for those with disabilities that make physical access on tours like this more difficult. Unlike previous years, the tour is not tied to a specific neighborhood, so we chose a sampling of homes from different neighborhoods and eras. Sites throughout the city, impossible to visit using our more traditional tour format, are yours to explore.

The homes on this year’s tour include a Craftsman bungalow that’s the only historic landmark building in Natomas; a Mid-century Modern home in Sacramento’s only Eichler neighborhood; a Tudor Revival home in Curtis Park listed in the National Register of Historic Places; a 1960s concrete block auto garage converted into a unique home and art gallery; and the oldest home in Midtown, residence of a former Sacramento County Sheriff and vintner, once used as a “Headache Sanitarium.” You’ll see the homes inside and out, and learn their unique stories, exclusively available on this home tour.

The tour will be broadcast twice, on October 24 and November 7, with early and late shows, allowing flexibility for people’s varying schedules — or the ability to enjoy the tour a second time at later showings:                      

October 24, 2021
10 AM and 2 PM PST

November 7, 2021
10 AM and 2 PM PST

$20 for Preservation Sacramento and SacMod members; $25 for non members.

Tickets can be used for any of the four showings, or multiple times.

* Current Sacramento Modern members will also be able to buy tickets for $20 using a secret code; after you have updated your membership, we will send you the code in a separate email. Memberships are annual; if you renew or become a member now, your SacMod membership will run until December 31, 2022.

For the SacMod member discount:
To renew/join SacMod: https://sacmod.org/get-involved-join – you will receive an email with your special tour discount code

For the Preservation Sacramento member discount:
To renew/join Preservation Sacramento: http://www.preservationsacramento.org/join – NOTE: if you are already a member, the ticketing system should automatically recognize you

CLICK HERE for Preservation Sacramento’s 2021 Virtual Home Tour Tickets

How it works: After you purchase a ticket, you will receive a confirmation email from Preservation Sacramento (please ignore the part about printing out a QR code and bringing it to the tour site.) The week before the tour, Preservation Sacramento will send you an email with a digital tour brochure introducing you to the homes, and containing an event link. Please do not share the event link. On October 24, you can join the event via the link, either the 10 AM showing or the 2 PM showing (or both.) A separate email and link will be sent for the November 7 tour showing.

The Historic Home Tour is Preservation Sacramento’s largest fundraiser. Other than memberships, the Home Tour is their main source of revenue to carry out projects including surveys and nominations of historic properties, advocacy and lobbying to protect historic places, and their educational programs like the Preservation Roundtable.

SacMod has worked with Preservation Sacramento on several projects over the years. They have been very supportive of our preservation efforts — and we are delighted to be a part of their 2021 tour.

Cheers — and enjoy!

FILM : “The Streng Bros. | Modernist Pioneers of the Sacramento Valley”

Sacramento Modern is pleased as punch to share “The Streng Bros. | Modernist Pioneers of the Sacramento Valley”. This short film (~9 mins) was Directed by D. L. Stern, a documentary filmmaker in the Sacramento Area.

Originally airing at the “2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour – 60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes”, the film features an interview with Jim Streng, and weaves archival material and contemporary photography to tell the story of chance encounters and Carter Sparks’ magic behind our beloved “Native Moderns” – Streng Bros. Homes.

Archival material provided by Steve Streng, Jim & Mary-Jo Streng, Karmen and Bill Streng, Jennifer Sparks, Dodi Sparks, Marty Arbunich and Gretchen Steinberg.

With Production by D.L. Stern, Robert Maurer, Glen Warren and Justin Wood.

Dan runs a project called “In My Own Words”, which helps people create documentary films of their lives which they can share with their loved ones. Dan has a talent for putting this kind of thing together with humor and compassion, and we’re really lucky to have him helming this film. Thanks Dan!

SOLD OUT! 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour – 60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes

Our 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour is now SOLD OUT! We have reached capacity; there are no more tickets available, and there will be no “day-of” sales.

Ticketholders: check your inbox for an email from us via Brown Paper Tickets with tour addresses. We’ll see you tomorrow, (Saturday, June 1, 2019) between 10AM and 4PM! It’s going to be a GREAT tour!

IMPORTANT: Find and display those barcodes for us to get into the first door/check-in. You will get a hand stamp (for easy entry thereafter) and a guidebook that will tell you all you need to know! Follow these instructions and the wait in line will be shorter.

If you have accidentally misplaced your Brown Paper Ticket confirmation email, or are unsure which email you used to buy your ticket, you can use

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/trackorder.html

 – or call BPT’s 24/7 hotline at 1-800-838-3006.

If you missed out on getting tickets, please join our mailing list so you can be informed of our future events: https://sacmod.org/about/contact-us/

All the best,

SacMod.org

[Photo from 2013 Sac MCM Home Tour by Kace Schwarm]

Tour Instructions: 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour – 60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes

How to get ready for a great 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour experience:

1) Brown Paper Ticket barcodes? Check!
2) Watch for email on 5/31/19? Check!
3) Go to your assigned address, show your barcode, get a hand-stamp and a guidebook? Check!

It’s this easy!
________________________________________________

Are you ready?!? We’re getting excited for our upcoming tour this Saturday, June 1st! We’ve got some important and easy-to-follow tips to help you get in the door quickly and on your way to having a great tour:

  • In the late afternoon/evening of May 31st, look for an email announcement from Brown Paper Tickets (BPT)! This is going to tell you where to start your tour.
  • This email will be sent to all ticket holders/attendees – to the email that was used to receive your BPT tickets. The email will have instructions regarding your first tour home address. It will be one of the six homes (A-F) on the map.
  • For safety reasons, we are only releasing addresses to ticket-holders/attendees.
  • Your wait in line will be shorter if the instructions below are followed!

________________________________________________

Before Tour Day:

  • Locate your Brown Paper Ticket (BPT) confirmation email. You should have received it the same day that you purchased/received your tour ticket(s). Check the email you used to receive the tickets, as well as your “spam” folders.
  • Under 1. “Cart Overview”, you will see, “Your order contains one or more Print-at-Home tickets. If you have not already done so, please print your tickets by following this link: (specific link to your ticket).”
  • Click on that link to display your ticket / barcode.
    Print out, or simply display your barcode(s) on your mobile device.
  • Each ticket barcode is like a key for entry to the first tour home. See our ‘fridge photo for what the document should look like.
    – We are digitally scanning barcodes at the first door.
    – We will accept printed or digitally displayed tickets; either is fine!
  • If you have accidentally misplaced your Brown Paper Ticket confirmation email, or are unsure which email you used to buy your ticket, you can check online to track your BPT order:
    – or call BPT’s 24/7 hotline at 1-800-838-3006.
  • And if you haven’t bought your tickets yet, go to: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4103901 Ticket sales close May 31st at noon.  

________________________________________________

On Tour Day (June 1, 2019 between 10AM and 4PM):

  • Go to your assigned address (this helps us spread guests between houses and will make the lines shorter). Carpooling with other guests? Pick one assigned address for all to check in. No need to make multiple stops.
  • Tour homes will have signs posted in front, but there will be no additional tour signage; this is a private event for ticket-holders only. There will be no tickets sold at the door.
  • These homes are in residential neighborhoods, so please drive slowly and with care. Study maps and alternative routes in advance to avoid heavy traffic and difficult turns. If you can walk easily, park farther from the homes to avoid traffic and walk in.
  • Show your barcode(s) at the first home and have them scanned.
  • Get your hand stamped (for easy entry to the other five homes) and pick up your guidebook. Then enjoy the rest of the tour!

Looking forward to seeing you on tour day!

All the best,
Your hosts from SacMod

Sneak Peek of Homes on the 60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes – 2019 Sacramento MCM Home Tour – June 1, 2019

(All pictures copyright by Travis Pacheco)

Here are some sneak peeks of the homes on our upcoming Tour on June 1, 2019 to get you in the mood!

Tickets online only until noon, May 31, 2019: Brown Paper Tickets

For an in-depth look at our Tour homes, you can read more about our Tour homes:
– An atrium model is highlighted in this great article from Inside Sacramento;
– A fantastic roundup of our tour from our friends at Eichler Network! 
– An excellent writeup of the tour from local mainstay Sactown Magazine;
– And some nice background on Streng Bros. Homes in Valley Community Newspapers.

In addition to six wonderful homes, our Tour also features fun extras, such as live music, vintage wares, Motel California book signing, informative displays, and extra treats and trinkets along the way (magazines, stickers, toys, candy)!

June 1, 2019: “60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes – 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour”

SacMod is delighted to announce: “60 Years of Streng Bros. Homes – 2019 Sacramento Mid-Century Modern Home Tour”

WHEN: Saturday, June 1st, 2019 from 10AM to 4PM.

WHAT: This special-edition tour celebrates the 60th anniversary of Streng Bros. Homes — a Sacramento-based company founded by Jim and Bill Streng — who built and sold over 3,500 modern homes in Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer Counties over the course of 30 years. Our self-guided driving tour features a wide variety of Streng Bros. Homes models, with iconic exteriors and distinctive interiors that reflect the mid-20th century aesthetic and lifestyle!

Want to see some sneak peeks of the homes on our upcoming Tour to get you in the mood? Check out our featured homes post. For an in-depth look, you can read more about our Tour homes:
– An atrium model is highlighted in this great article from Inside Sacramento;
– A fantastic roundup of our tour from our friends at Eichler Network!    

In addition to six wonderful homes, our Tour also features fun extras, such as live music, vintage wares, Motel California book signing, informative displays, and extra treats and trinkets along the way (magazines, stickers, toys, candy)!

WHERE: Homes featured in this tour are located in Evergreen Commons and Overbrook (Sacramento), Eastridge (Citrus Heights), and Homewood (Carmichael); plus a rare custom modern home in Fair Oaks designed by architect Carter Sparks! (See new Preview Map below.)

General neighborhood preview map

Preview Map showing the Streng Bros. neighborhoods where the tour will take place, and other Streng neighborhoods

TICKETS: Tickets will be available online via Brown Paper Tickets (link : bpt.me/4103901) starting with member sales first on March 15, 2019 at 9AM. General sales will begin April 1, 2019 at 9AM. There will be no sales of tickets on tour day. You must buy your ticket online by Noon on May 31, 2019. Space is limited — buy your tickets early to ensure you don’t miss out! (The tour may sell out any time before the day of the event.)

MEMBERSHIPS: You can become a member any time and receive special rates at this and other upcoming SacMod events this year. It’s easy! Please visit our website — SacMod.org — and click the link “Get Involved/Join” to purchase a 2019 SacMod Annual Associate Membership via PayPal – $25 for a year of membership (good for one household). Within 24 hours, you will receive the password via an email from SacMod for member ticket pricing to use for your ticket purchase at Brown Paper Tickets.

BIG THANKS to this year’s homeowners (and tour sponsors) who helped make the tour possible with their generosity and support! Watch for more details to come!