Though the originally approved plan for the entire facility to be built along the Parkway was superior, this is also a great siting, and though the split in sites will be problematic, reducing the necessary synergy, it is truly wonderful to see this project proceed.
Editorial: Plan for Indian museum was worth waiting for
Sites in West Sacramento and along the American will become regional landmark
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, February 19, 2008
California finally is about to get an Indian Heritage Center worthy of the historical and contemporary contributions of more than 150 Indian tribes. The tiny 4,000-square-foot California State Indian Museum at Sutter's Fort can house only a fraction of the basketry, beadwork, clothing and exhibits needed to tell the story of California's Indians.
A major plus is that that the new center will remain in the Sacramento region, to become an attraction that will draw visitors on the scale of the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento.
It will be located on a 43-acre site in West Sacramento, across from the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. The joint Sacramento/West Sacramento Riverfront Master Plan (adopted in 2003) recognized that this land on the levee side of the Sacramento River would have limited commercial and residential potential, but would be ideal for a state park.
Only 10 acres of the site, atop the levee at the level of the 200-year floodplain, is developable. It's perfect for the Indian Heritage Center – large enough to accommodate exhibits, as well as a library, preservation lab, store and restaurant.
A large pond on the site can be used for reed basket-weaving demonstrations.
Outdoors, the site will connect with the planned bike/walking trail along the Sacramento River and have space for small gatherings and special events. Parking will be off-site, with State Parks operating shuttles to the center.
The operating model is the State Railroad Museum. The land and buildings will be owned by California State Parks. A private foundation will do fundraising and offer help with programming and interpretive services. On-site security will be provided by State Parks contract security personnel and rangers, as in Old Sacramento, in cooperation with city police.
As a state park, the 43-acre site cannot ever be used to develop a casino (a persistent and mean-spirited rumor than needs to be dispelled now).
Across the river in Sacramento, the American River Parkway between Northgate and Discovery Park will be used for outdoor interpretive exhibits (with the potential for large festival gatherings at the Boy Scouts' Camp Pollock).
