Essays
Field of Dreams
Build it, and they will come. On March 31—after decades of trying to land a Major League Baseball team—Sacramento finally got its civic wish when the Athletics played their first home opener. The team may have lost, but fans packed every corner of the stadium for a chance to witness history and, of course, to root, root, root for the home team.
A Sporting Chance
Nearly 30 years after 2Pac’s “California Love” debuted, a snippet of its lyrics—“from Oakland to Sactown”—rings prophetic these days as the team formerly known as the Oakland A’s prepare for their home opener at Sutter Health Park. Of course, it’s been far longer than three decades that the capital city has been chasing its baseball dreams, and now they’re about to come true (at least for a few years). But what does it all mean for Sacramento’s prospects as a permanent home to America’s Pastime?
This Is Not a Tomato
When is a tomato not just a tomato? When it’s also a lifeline. There are many good reasons to start a garden in Sacramento, where a temperate climate and plentiful sunlight can help even the most horticulturally challenged amateurs among us grow our own food and infuse our surroundings with color and beauty. But we can harvest life lessons too. With a little patience and a lot of love, here’s how one local gardener used the hobby to start his life over, and what we can all learn from a humble effort to cultivate something new.
No Annexation Without Representation
A billion-dollar plan to demolish and rebuild the State Capitol annex, design an underground visitors center, and dig up part of our historic Capitol Park for an exclusive parking garage for legislators is at least partly ill-conceived and entirely ill-timed. But there is the potential to create something great, if we just invite more people into “the people’s house.”
Mayor, Redefined
What does it mean to be a mayor? It turns out the answer isn’t so black-and-white. For a hundred years, Sacramentans have hemmed and hawed about whether or not a “strong mayor” system will help or hurt us. Here’s why it’s more important than ever to vote yes for a strong mayor.
Send in the Cones
Months into a global pandemic, cities around the world are racing to reimagine their streets so that more of us can walk, bike, exercise and commute more safely. Unfortunately, when it comes to this critical public health issue, Sacramento finds itself backpedaling once again.
Arch de Triumph
The final design for our newest bridge will be selected soon, but the choice is already clear. The Solar Arch eclipses all other contenders.
A New Breed of Zoo
As the city weighs the pros and cons of a far larger zoo, it’s asking where, when and how much. But the most important question should be, “What do we want to build?”
The Big Picture
In the world of performing arts centers, a funny thing happened on the way to profitability: Hollywood movies. Here’s how Sacramento can become a star of stage and screen.
A Bridge with Curve Appeal
A new architect has been selected to design a $172 million bridge planned for the Sacramento River. Early ideas include observation decks, High Line-style landscaping and a soaring arch. We weigh in. You can too.
A Tale of Two Towers
In recent months, proposals emerged for two of the last opportunity sites on Capitol Mall. Each tells a very different story about civic ambition, smart planning and political prudence, or the lack thereof.
The Upside of Underpasses
There’s a growing global phenomenon in which community parks and other highly desirable public spaces are popping up beneath freeways and railway lines. It’s time for us to take a look under the hood as well.
On Sale Now!
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