Safer 16th Street Team Meeting
Help advocate to the City of Sacramento to implement major street safety improvements to North 16th Street.
This event and effort is being organized by Jeanie Ward-Waller (jeanww@gmail.com), not by Strong SacTown. Please contact Jeanie with questions.
Agenda
There are a few updates to share!
1. Meeting with City staff in the traffic engineering department
2. Safer Sac Streets ballot measure effort
3. Working on City of Festivals grant application. Please try to join us Tuesday if you want to be involved in grant writing.
4. Meeting with Midtown Association - has designated 16th Street north of J as a cultural district
Background
North 16th Street functions as a dangerous arterial speedway along what should be a walkable residential/commercial city street. Community members have noticed the lack of safety, terrible sidewalk conditions, lack of bikeway, and very high speeds of drivers for the 23.5 hours each day that the street isn't operating at capacity. Jeanie Ward-Waller has done some previous organizing on this issue a few years ago and compiled survey and workshop data showing that others agree - there is very high demand for safety and alternate means of travel in this corridor.
Opportunity Now
The City is currently in the process of updating the River District Specific Plan, and the River District Board aims to focus on 16th Street improvements as a top priority in 2026. The neighborhoods along 16th are also developing denser housing and retail on most of the empty parcels and the Blue Diamond Almond factory complex will be redeveloped in the next five years. The city urgently needs to prioritize making 16th St safer for walking and bicycling for current and future neighbors in this community.
Join in advocating for a Safer 16th Street
In the last couple of months, Jeanie has connected with the Mayor's office, Councilmember Pluckebaum, and city staff, as well as leadership of the River District. There's some interest, particularly from the River District and Pipeworks management, but they could use support and a strong push from community members.
Attend this first meeting on Feb. 10 to get involved in organizing the Safer 16th Street effort.