Very nice story about the resurgence of the North Sacramento community and the large role the arts—specifically the birth of the Phantom Gallery and Second Saturday concept—played.
The folks responsible for bringing this arts concept to Sacramento are the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce and a brief history is outlined on their website www.northsacramentochamber.org :
“The North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce began in 1992 to explore ways to support the artists living and working in the community and to use arts-based development projects as a catalyst for commercial revitalization along Del Paso Boulevard, the central commercial corridor. The Chamber has brought together members of the local arts community, business and property owners, and elected and government officials as partners in the vision of the District. That effort has flourished with the designation of the "district" as a Redevelopment Area, a State Enterprise Zone, and the establishment of zoning tools like a Special Planning District, Design Review, and a Commercial Facade Grant Program…
“...The Chamber's premier program Phantom Galleries (Second Saturday/Second Shift) began on Del Paso Boulevard in 1993 and continues today. Phantom Galleries are temporary art exhibits in vacant storefronts. This program provides the opportunity for local artists to exhibit their work while fostering economic development by focusing attention on available retail space. A wide variety of individual and organizations exhibit in the galleries including performing, visual, and digital artists. In partnership with local schools, elementary and high school students exhibits are included throughout the year, providing encouragement for these young artists by providing them an opportunity to display their work.”
Boulevard's on road back
By Bobby Caina Calvan - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 15, 2007
Back in the day, there was little reason for George Halaway to stray far from his neighborhood. Along Del Paso Boulevard, you found everything: a movie house, diners, pubs, an ice rink -- a multitude of shops that catered to a thriving community in North Sacramento.
"As a little kid, I didn't think there was life outside Del Paso Boulevard," Halaway said Saturday.
Then the shops began disappearing. "Something happened," he said. "Businesses started moving out."
The once-vibrant strip lost its luster. Crime increased. Soon, the boulevard became a bleak row of empty shops. Pedestrians abandoned the sidewalks.
But on Saturday, the streets teemed with people, and Halaway saw it as a rebirth. "I've got a gut feeling it'll work this time," he said.
Halaway and his family never abandoned their neighborhood. The family diner, Lil Joe's, opened on the boulevard in 1946, moving six years later to its current location just in front of the family house.
On Saturday, scores of people strolled along the boulevard to celebrate what many call a metamorphosis. Bands filled the street with music. There were balloons. The scent of barbecue wafted over the neighborhood.
