So true that even though we have a wonderful and visionary set of projects and ideas poised to remake our riverfronts, the present reality is often very ugly and needs to be addressed now.
Editorial: Big dreams, ugly reality
Plans are fine, but riverfront needs help now
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, November 6, 2007
As The Bee's Deb Kollars reported on Sunday, Sacramento's riverfront is poised for a dynamic future. Condos, office towers, museums and entertainment centers are on the drawing boards for both sides of the Sacramento River in the central city and along the American River north of downtown Sacramento.
If these exciting ideas come to life, they could transform the River District into a lively place where thousands of people will want to live, work or play. At the moment, though, the reality is far grittier.
We and many other Sacramentans spend time running or cycling from Old Sacramento out to the American River trail in Discovery Park. And lately, what we've seen and smelled there is discouraging.
All along the riverfront walkway from the historic district to the confluence of the American River, grime and trash proliferate. But the worst of it is under the railroad bridge that carries trains from the city's historic depot west to Davis and the Bay Area. For several weeks now, one or more people have been using the walkway under that bridge as a bathroom.
