A plan for Sacramento’s sustainable regional mobility hub within a connected, vibrant, and walkable community.

Designing a regenerative transportation hub for California’s state capitol

Sacramento Valley Station is the primary rail station in northern California and has served as its mobility anchor since 1926. While the existing historic station is served by many transit providers, it lacks the seamless efficiency of a successful multimodal hub.

Now, a pivotal project will guide the transformation of the 31-acre station area into a sustainable regional intermodal hub within a connected, vibrant, and walkable community - where people take center stage.

The Area Plan, developed by Perkins&Will, Sidara’s leading design specialist, reflects the resource regeneration and net-positive community impact envisioned by the local community, and is fitting for a city recognized for its abundant tree canopy and farm-to-fork movement.

A robust network of alternative modes planned for the hub will eliminate on-site parking demand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the walkable, livable district will catalyze growth in downtown Sacramento.

A reflection of community aspirations

The design team took great care to involve the local community in the process, holding numerous public meetings with more than 80 stakeholders. The resulting area plan reflects the community’s commitment to addressing the changing climate, with a goal of making it one of the most sustainable public places in California.

To complement the convergence of trains, regional and local buses, light rail, and micro-transportation offerings, a well-balanced and dense mix of uses in the area will help reduce vehicle trips. The planned development includes a range of affordable and market-rate housing for an equitable and inclusive community, with access to amenities like restaurants, shops, pedestrian plazas, bike trails, and office and community spaces.

All buildings within the development will run on 100% renewable energy through a combination of onsite and offsite power generation. The water used throughout the development is captured and recycled to meet 100% of the community’s non-potable water needs. In drought-prone California, the Regenerative Utility Center, which houses the district energy facility and the wastewater treatment facility, will serve to educate the public and celebrate the efficient use of natural resources.

Beyond standard metrics

The Sacramento Valley Station plan was awarded the Living Community Challenge's (LCC) Vision Plan Certification for the most Aspirational Sustainability. It is the first municipality-led LCC Vision Plan certified project in the world.

The LCC provides a framework for planning, design, and construction that seeks to create a symbiotic relationship between people and all aspects of the built environment. As the most advanced measure of sustainability, the LCC rewards plans that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. It focuses on seven key metrics: place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty.

The LCC framework measures sustainability beyond standard metrics – it also means that the Plan promises to improve daily life for Sacramento residents.