Waterfront development plan advances
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, August 29, 2007
A development project seeking to transform a portion of the city's urban waterfront, known as Township 9, passed some key hurdles Tuesday.
The City Council unanimously approved the environmental impact report, development agreement, map and zoning changes for the project on 65 acres bounded by Richards Boulevard, North Fifth and North Seventh streets and the American River.
With a new light-rail station as a focus, Township 9 contains a proposed 2,350 condominiums, townhouses and apartments, as well as 840,000 square feet of office space and 146,000 square feet of retail use.
At the meeting, several people testified in favor of the project, including labor, environmental and transit representatives, as well as area residents. They called it a good example of development within an urban area.
They praised the "smart growth" aspects of building housing next to a light-rail station and the catalytic effect it is expected to have on other development in the area.
-- Terri Hardy
