Though it prospered in the first half of the 20th century, since World War II Old Florin Town has experienced disinvestment, building decline, and a gradual attrition of local residents and businesses. In 2009 SERA assisted the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) in its efforts to revitalize Old Florin Town and move previous planning efforts to the next level. In order to help transition the under-developed town center into a thriving, mixed-income neighborhood with employment opportunities and a community activity center, SERA created a Redevelopment Framework, Site Development Plan and Phasing Strategy, and Residential and Mixed-use Development Prototypes to serve as a redevelopment guide.
The Site Development Plan is a framework for new development as the area transitions from a largely vacant district surrounded by industrial and auto-oriented businesses and institutions to one that is lively, pedestrian-friendly, and reflective of Florin’s rich history and culture. The Site Development Plan illustrates how connectivity throughout the study area can be achieved with an integrated network of new streets and trails that form cohesive development blocks, how Florin Creek can be revitalized to become the backbone of a natural neighborhood amenity, how open spaces throughout the study area can be utilized for active and passive uses – including urban agriculture and community celebrations – and how venerable structures in Old Florin Town can be remilled, rehabilitated, or reoriented to celebrate their historic legacy. The Phasing Strategy outlines how to achieve the design and development goals and objectives set forth in the Site Development Plan.
The Development Prototypes offer SHRA a range of housing types and densities, as well as small-scale neighborhood-serving retail and/or institutional uses. Each proposed building type is illustrated graphically and is accompanied by detailed development standards, and are intended to be used as a guide for developers to resolve common infill and contextual design challenges. The range of housing types and densities provided within the development prototypes is intended to expand affordable housing alternatives while increasing residential densities, which will, in turn, provide a market for new commercial development.
