It is a nice idea and very urban.
Bob Shallit: Pair of TV stations seek K Street perch
By Bob Shallit - Bee ColumnistPublished 12:00 am PST Monday, November 20, 2006
Local TV execs are making a new run at a crowd-grabbing studio on K Street Mall.
Under a preliminary proposal, the area's two CBS-owned stations would set up an office at 12th and K streets for filming of Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" show and Channel 13's newscasts. The idea is to create a sort of "Today"-show experience, where tourists and locals gather under a big marquee, watch live shows through glass windows and get a chance to interact with guests and station personalities.
The concept is similar to what Channel 3 does with its noon news at Arden Fair mall. But the CBS operation, which would be located in retail space now occupied on the back side of the Hyatt Regency, would host multiple live shows throughout the day.
Bruno Cohen, president of Channels 13 and 31, is declining comment because the city has not yet responded officially to his company's proposal.
But several business and city officials say they love the concept, which was previously considered for a site at 11th and K.
"It's a fabulous idea," says city manager Ray Kerridge, who sees the studio as a great vehicle for showcasing downtown improvements.
Similarly, Michael Ault, executive director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, sees the TV studio as a lively addition to a stretch of K Street that now has loft apartments under construction at the northwest corner of 12th and K and a Randy Paragary eatery under consideration a block to the east.
But Kerridge and Ault both raise concerns about how large a city subsidy might be needed by the developers. As much as $3 million has been discussed in informal meetings with the city, they say.
The city has "more projects than we have money for," Ault says.
Adds Kerridge: "It may be a little too rich for us." The city is "prepared to kick in something," he says, but he figures the TV stations' owner has deep enough pockets to shoulder most of the costs. After all, he notes, "this is CBS."
