News
News and Media
Everyday, our region’s counties and cities are taking actions to make this the best place to work, live, and play. We will share our member city and county milestones here, along with our own regional news and blog posts.
A New Dawn for Sunrise Mall Is On the Horizon
Citrus Heights' plan to catalyze redevelopment, housing, transit, and boost its economy
When the Sunrise Mall was first built in 1972 it was thought of as the place to be in Citrus Heights. But as time went on, the economic engine that was the mall began to experience the effects of e-commerce, rising competition with other shopping centers, and changing consumer preferences that resulted in a decline of the mall’s success.
Tactical Urbanism Hits Local Davis Street
Cyclists of all ages try out two-way bike lane and intersection that improves access to schools and event center
For a week in November 2021, the City of Davis tested the impact of a two-way bike lane and intersection changes on 14th Street and Oak Avenue to make it safer for residents.
SACOG Announces New Board Leadership for 2022
The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Board of Directors has elected City of Sacramento councilmember Rick Jennings as the 2022 board chair and Sacramento County supervisor Patrick Kennedy as board vice chair.
WATCH: What the Federal Infrastructure Bill Means for the Sacramento Region
SACOG policy experts explain transportation funding opportunities and strategies
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law November 2021, is the biggest investment in the nation’s infrastructure with more than $1 trillion to be allocated across the United States over the next five years to support transportation, broadband, renewable energy, and more. Almost doubling the amount of the 2015 Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the IIJA sets the foundation for how transportation policy and investments will emphasize projects that show regional collaboration, and have environmental and equity benefits.
Yolo County Pledges $2 Million for Food Hub in Esparto
Regional model links institutional buyers and small growers to bridge gaps in the farm-to-fork economy
At their meeting on September 7, 2021, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors approved an investment of $2 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to jump-start an expanded food hub in the town of Esparto.
What the New Federal Infrastructure Bill Means for the Sacramento Region
Five key takeaways and a webinar on November 30 to learn more
Updated November 15, 2021: President Biden signed into law the first half of his domestic agenda, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – a $1.2 trillion bill that increases funding for existing infrastructure such as highways, transit, and active transportation programs led by SACOG, as well as adding onetime funding and new programs that will benefit communities across the region.
Racial Equity Seen as Key to Improving Mobility, Safety, and Health
National expert Charles T. Brown paints a picture of the experiences of people of color
November 16, 2021: The demographic makeup of our region is changing. People of color are now the majority in the Sacramento region and the state, which puts Sacramento ahead of national 2050 predictions, Noli Brazil, a UC Davis professor and demographer, shared to the Sacramento Bee.
A Look at the Sacramento Region’s 2020 Census Results
An overview of the population and demographic shifts in the region
Every 10 years the U.S. Census Bureau is tasked with counting every resident in the country. Cities, counties, and states depend on an accurate and complete count for federal funding allocation to support community services.
How Community Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation are Changing Minds About Public Transportation
On October 21, 2021, the SACOG Board of Directors heard from two transit leaders about how the Seattle and North Washington regions have been able to improve the rider experience by providing fast, reliable transit services. Community Transit and the Seattle Department of Transportation gives the Sacramento region something to aspire to when it comes to improving access and speed to transit service.
SACOG Board of Directors Approves the Next Generation Transit Strategy
October 27, 2021: The SACOG Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the region’s Next Generation Transit Strategy. The strategy reimagines public transportation and provides a vision for the future of mobility that emphasizes moving people, not just moving buses and trains. By improving speed, inter-regional connections, technology, and the rider experience, the region can meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets, reduce traffic in the region, and expand mobility for disadvantaged communities.
Four Sacramento Area Transportation Projects Prioritized on Northern California “Megaregion Dozen” List
16-county Megaregion Working Group agrees on 12 priority transportation investments
October 21, 2021: At its last meeting of the year, the Northern California Megaregion Working Group approved the “Megaregion Dozen,” a list of 12 transportation projects that connect the San Francisco Bay Area to the Sacramento region. Adoption of the priorities is a huge milestone for the group. Together, the three Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) that form the working group represent 16 counties, 136 cities, and a population of nearly 11 million people.
The Sacramento Region Embraces Telework
Employers are building work-from-home strategies that last
October 20, 2021: Before the pandemic, telework was infrequent. For most offices, workplace policies, job descriptions, and a general understanding of job performance all centered around in-person duties. In 2020, state and local stay-at-home orders forced companies to adjust employee work arrangements so they could keep business moving.
SACOG’s Youth Leadership Academy is Shaping our Region’s Next Gen Leaders
High school students are encouraged to apply for the 2022 program. The application deadline is October 31, 2021.
Through the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA), high schoolers learn how to influence change in their communities. Students learn about the civic process and connect with their peers from across the six-county region. “It’s one of the best opportunities to meet people. That’s something there is a shortage of these days,” shared Tate Chatfield, a UC Davis sophomore and a graduate of the first YLA class.
Officials Eye New Train Service from Sacramento to Marysville and Beyond
Butte County Association of Governments receives grant to explore Sacramento to Chico rail line
If you want to travel north from Sacramento by train, options are limited. There are only two stops in Butte County, between 2 am and 3:30 am via the Amtrak Coast Starlight, with no stops in Yuba County. But the possibility of new stops and improved travel times connecting to the north from Sacramento may be in the not-so-distant future.
Caldor Fire Evacuees Greeted with Green Lights through Placerville
Trip to Green pilot program turns into emergency evacuation solution
If you’ve ever driven through Placerville on US-50 on a Saturday or Sunday, then you know how it feels as you approach the line of cars waiting to get through the downtown area. You take a deep breath and settle in for a crawl through three traffic signals along the highway.
Constructing Transit of the Future
Local transit agencies prepare for 100% zero-emissions fleets by 2040
What comes to mind when you think about the future of public transportation? Is it self-driving buses moving seamlessly along city routes? A plethora of transit options, each as convenient and accessible as the other? Or maybe it is simply solving the first mile, last mile dilemma. One thing is certain, clean energy will be powering public buses in California.
Successful City of Sacramento Pilot Project Made Permanent
Small project equals big impact for safety and mobility along Broadway corridor
Traditional city planning is a long game, with projects often taking 10 to 20 years (or more) to complete. Planners take care to design spaces and infrastructure with input from the community, but sometimes it can be challenging for residents to envision how a project might really impact their neighborhood.
State Bets Big on Infrastructure in Final Budget Deal
“Green Means Go” wins funding; Sacramento region needs to be ready to compete for billions more in new spending for transportation, housing, broadband, and climate resilience
After a series of legislative stops and starts and the passage of a temporary placeholder budget in mid-June, Governor Newsom and the legislature finally reached a deal late last month on a massive $262.2 billion budget that includes historic one-time expenditures on infrastructure, housing, broadband, climate resilience, and much more.
$200 Million of Funding for Transportation Projects Across the Region
SACOG passes $1 billion mark in funding for Sacramento region
April 15, 2021: Transportation projects across the Sacramento region received $198 million in funding from SACOG today. The 2021 funding round is the tenth in the 17-year history of the funding program, which has awarded more than $1.1 billion over that time. The SACOG board also acted to recommend nearly $12 million in funding in the regional Active Transportation Program.
SACOG envisions connected future with new Director of Transportation
Kristina Svensk, AICP to start August 16
July 28, 2021 – SACOG is proud to announce Kristina Svensk, AICP as our new Director of Transportation.