ABC 10: RECONNECTING THE SACRAMENTO WATERFRONT TO DOWNTOWN? CONGRESSWOMAN SEEKS $5M TO MAKE IT HAPPEN

The historic waterfront and downtown are two of Sacramento's iconic places, but they are separated by an interstate. A group of Sacramento leaders want to change that.

As part of the federal appropriations process for fiscal year 2025, U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui has requested up to $5 million in direct federal funding to support the initial planning toward a riverfront reconnection project.

The plan is to create a park that reconnects downtown and the waterfront, using state and federal grants to help fund the rest of the project.

"We're very excited about the possibilities," said Scott Ford, economic development director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership.

Ford compared the idea to the Klyde Warren elevated park in downtown Dallas, built over three blocks of freeway.

"It's been so successful. It's generated so much new tax revenue to that area that they're now looking at a two block expansion of that park," Ford said.

The grand vision of the project in Sacramento is to reclaim more than four acres of park space for outdoor classes, concerts and art, among other uses.

Congresswoman Matsui's $5 million request is just the first step to fund planning, engineering and feasibility.

Ford said the entire project would cost much more than that, but more federal and state funding could become available after the planning phase.

"There's countless projects like this happening around the around the country right now, we want to make sure that Sacramento is not missing a chance to be part of that conversation," Ford said.

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