SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Over the years, the area around Broadway and 15th Street has had its ups and downs. Past revitalization efforts had some hiccups, and then the pandemic hit. Crime was on the rise, and shops were closing. Other businesses hung on as they suffered an uptick in theft and break-ins. Neighbors began to shy away, which put the area on life support. 

But a vibrant upswing is on the horizon. Newly funded projects, robust public safety efforts and the passing of Proposition 36 could be the trifecta Broadway has been waiting for.

Joan Borucki, Executive Director for The Tower District, has been proactive in new efforts to improve conditions in the area. That's good news for the surrounding communities, like the Land Park neighborhood!

One improvement project is a creative crosswalk inspired by the Asphalt Art initiative. It will be an artistic pedestrian walkway on the four-way intersection at Broadway and Land Park Drive. Asphalt Art is part of a national effort to mitigate traffic and bring a community feel to public pathways. Other cities have had great results.

Bloomberg Philanthropies conducted an impact analysis to review pedestrian and motorist behavior after these crosswalk installations. They found a 50 percent decrease in the rate of pedestrian crashes and a 25 percent decrease in pedestrian conflicts with drivers. 

Speeding and pedestrian accidents have been serious issues in the Broadway area. An art installation that does double duty is appealing. Borucki explained, "A project like this provides both beautification and safety. The U.S. Department of Transportation encourages these crosswalks." She continued, "It also fits in with the big branding of the district—which is creativity."

The crosswalk is expected to be completed by spring 2025. The vision is to install around twenty more creative crosswalks up and down Broadway, which means there are plenty of opportunities for philanthropic work. Those who sponsor a crosswalk could get their name or company added to the artwork. The four-way crosswalk alone will cost from $10,000 to $15,000, and Borucki is ready to speak to anyone who is interested in sponsoring.

The Tower District is also ramping up fun, local events. On Oct. 13, the district partnered with the lowrider community to bring "Extra Butter" to the Tower parking lot. A disc jockey set the vibe while folks walked through the vendor booths and enjoyed colorful lowrider cars. Across the street, the new School of Rock hosted activities. 

Borucki says, "Cruising was such a big part of Broadway's history, why don't we embrace that?"  And that's the idea: to bring a mix of local cultures and flavors, highlighting Broadway's unique personality. 

Those who participate in these events benefit, too. Borucki stated, "We had an all-woman art event in the parking lot last year. Several female artists came to show their work. Since then, many of them have been commissioned by local businesses to do other pieces."

Under the W/X freeway a concept project called 3rd Space is on the table. The spot would be outfitted with pop-up vendors, art, food trucks and music. It would also have lounging spots for people to enjoy checkerboard games and other activities. 

"3rd Space is an effort to reconnect communities divided by freeways," Borucki explained. For instance, connecting Southside Park to the Tower District provides a fun, walkable amenity for nearby residents.  

It is clear people want to feel safe, and public safety upgrades are also on The Tower District's radar. Their new 24/7 security provider, Elite 1, is collaborating with Sacramento PD and the Sacramento County District Attorney's office to handle criminal behavior. In addition, cutting-edge technology is being installed to identify crime early. Joan Borucki shared the changes are already noticeable, "Walgreens had chronic crime issues, and within one week, there were several arrests. We also have a regular offenders list." This means they have an eye on consistently troublesome people. 

In addition, the Tower District continues to manage graffiti removal, power washing and illegal dumping. The new efforts could impact these issues as well. 

Finally, the district recently signed a lease for an office space in the old comic building between the Tower Café and Joe Marty's. The office should open by early spring 2025. The Tower District board wants local business owners and the community to have a welcoming place to drop by and see what they are up to. And they plan to host regular informative public meetings. 

All these efforts are being funded through the city, grants and generous donors. Joan Borucki and the district board envision a colorful, engaging business ecosystem emerging in 2025. 

To learn more about The Tower District, go to sactowerdistrict.com. To review the asphalt art initiative, visit asphaltart.bloomberg.org.