Robert J. Hansen | OBSERVER Staff Writer
Greater Sacramento Urban League hosted a groundbreaking May 3 for its “Hub in the Heights” development that will include affordable housing as well as retail and office space.
The site sits next to the Greater Sacramento Urban League office on 3725 Marysville Blvd. and will have 68 rental units, 75% of which will be designated affordable, and two levels of retail space.
Hub in the Heights will cost roughly $38 million, approximately $5 million of which has been raised, and will take 21/2 years to complete once construction begins, said Dwayne Crenshaw, president and CEO of Greater Sacramento Urban League.
“We intend for there to be some opportunity for community members to invest,” Crenshaw said. “We are also looking for a number of banks to partner with.”
Some of the investment – $2.4 million – came from U.S. Rep. Ami Bera D-Sacramento, who said a lot of people in the community feel forgotten and left behind.
“There’s a lot of pride in this community,” Bera said at the ceremony. “But [they feel like] nobody has stood up for us. That’s why a project like Hub in the Heights is so important.”
Bera hopes it is a starting point for revitalization in Del Paso Heights and a catalyst for further investment and opportunities.
“I will continue to do what I can do to bring resources to this community,” Bera said.
Greater Sacramento Urban League worked with the city for seven months to bring the project to life, but the city has yet to make an investment.
“This ought to be the beginning and even though I didn’t bring a check with me today,” Mayor Darrell Steinberg told the crowd, “This is about seeding the ground for dramatically more investment, not only to complete this incredible project but to do projects like this all throughout the district.”
Mayor Steinberg said projects like this are the future for District 2 and Del Paso Heights.
“It’s not just about serving, it’s about empowering,” Steinberg said.
Golden 1 Credit Union recently made a $10 million, five-year investment in Del Paso Heights that will support community organizations, projects like Hub in the Heights, and a recently opened financial resource center.
Erica Taylor, senior vice president of community impact and public relations for Golden 1, said that investment reflects its dedication to uplifting the community.
“We are really going all in, and embracing and investing in it [the community],” Taylor said at the ceremony.
Crenshaw said construction will begin after the city approves permits.
“We’re going to get started on some of the site work right now,” Crenshaw said. “We’re not pausing, this is just the first step.”