Introduction The City of Sacramento implemented a three-week virtual community workshop for the Sacramento Valley Station Master Plan to engage with community members and station users in the Sacramento Region. The virtual workshop was open to the public from Wednesday, January 15, 2020 to Friday, February 7, 2020. The project team received more than 280 responses from community members. In 2018, the City concluded work on an initial conceptual planning that resulted in two master plan concepts. Currently, the City is developing a preferred option and multi-phase implementation plan. In addition, the Bus/Mobility Center has moved forward to 30% design documents for the construction funds grant application. In 2020, the Sacramento Valley Station Specific Plan will be completed and provide a pathway for expanding regional transportation services and developing the Sacramento Valley Station site, with transportation in mind. The goals of the design concept are to establish a well-connected transit center, be a gateway to the city, and provide a mixed-use destination with infill development for the 17-acres of property around the historic depot. The plan area on the City-owned site will be designed with sustainable principles, under the framework of the International Living Futures Institute’s Living Community Challenge Vision Plan certification. Methodology This Virtual Community Workshop served as a forum for participants to learn about the project and Master Plan, as well as contribute their input on the design elements and concepts to be integrated into the new station area. The project team implemented a three-week virtual workshop to notify and engage with community members who frequent the Sacramento Valley Station. The workshop included a short informational video narrated by Geeti Silwal, Practice Leader with Perkins and Will. The video provided an overview of the project and presented each of the questions in the virtual workshop. Thumbnail for the informational video The project team received 282 submissions from community members. A full list of the submitted comments is available in the Appendix. The Virtual Workshop consisted of nine (9) questions focusing on: • Architectural inspiration for the new station concourse • Design elements to be included in the indoor and outdoor public spaces at the new station area • Elements to be integrated into the future River Park (planned for the west end of the project area) • Preferred programs and activities for the new station area • Precedent images of international multimodal transit hubs Page 1 of 16 Results Question 1: Architectural Inspiration in the Sacramento Region The Sacramento Valley Station Master Plan is a 20-year plan that encompasses renovation of the historic depot and addition of a new concourse located behind the historic station, among other improvements. A key component of the Master Plan is a new concourse that will serve all passengers. The new concourse will ultimately serve the Sacramento Region's transit needs and become a community destination. The Sacramento Valley Station Master Plan's Project Team is initiating early design concepts and is seeking your input on the new concourse's architectural design. For the following exercise, choose 1-2 images that the new concourse's architecture should draw inspiration from. Page 2 of 16 Key Findings Respondents taking the virtual community workshop had the option to write comments on what they like about each example of architectural inspiration. Among the most selected options were The Barn in West Sacramento (28% of votes) and the Golden 1 Center in Downtown Sacramento (21% of votes). The comments reflected key design elements of the The Barn and the Golden 1 Center that Sacramento residents like and suggested integrating into the Sacramento Valley Station’s new concourse building. Respondents said both the Golden 1 Center and The Barn have an open and inviting feel that makes these establishments active public spaces, that are easily accessible. Both buildings were cited as having a modern and unique design and have become iconic structures that help define the Sacramento Region. For the Barn, community members wrote about how the building allows for flexibility in the way the space is used, giving opportunities for multiple types of public use (concerts, markets, outdoor recreation, etc.). Many respondents liked how the Barn is made of natural materials and is well-integrated into nature, while also having a modern architectural design feel. Overall, the responses came to a consensus on the Barn being a unique building that utilizes wood materials in an aesthetically pleasing way. For the Golden 1 Center, there was less of a consensus over 44% of comments mentioned the wood attributes that community members liked. Some respondents materials that lend an organic feel to the Barn’s found the rigid shapes and muted colors cold and uninviting. exterior Other community members, however praised the futuristic and modern design that draws from elements of Brutalism (an architectural style defined by blocky and rigid shapes and concrete material). Additionally, respondents frequently mentioned the large dynamic glass doors that fold up and allow for connection to the outdoors. Many community members had suggestions as to how the attributes from The Barn and the Golden 1 Center could be integrated into the Sacramento Valley Station’s new concourse building. Some suggested including elements of the historical building, like brick and pillars, and combining these with 21% of comments mentioned the Golden 1 elements of the Barn, like wood materials to create a natural Centers folding doors that allow for a connection and organic feel. to the outside Page 3 of 16 Others suggested including geometric patterns and glass of the Golden 1 Center into the design of the concourse to match elements of the new I Street Bridge design. Respondents also had the option to include photos of architectural inspiration ideas. Below are some examples submitted by community members: The Grognon | Namur, Belgium Hague Central Station | Den Haag, Netherlands Kings Cross Station | London, UK The Louis Vuitton Foundation | Paris, France CalPERS Office Building | Sacramento, CA Poly Future City | Beijing, China Page 4 of 16 Question 2: Indoor Spaces The Sacramento Valley Station Master Plan Project Team is seeking input on architectural design for the new concourse's interior spaces. Choose 1-2 images that the project team should draw inspiration from when designing the new concourse's indoor spaces. Page 5 of 16 Key Findings Respondents of the virtual community workshop had the option to write comments on what they liked about each example of indoor design, provided in the survey. Among the most selected options were The Bank in Downtown Sacramento (41% of votes) and the Sacramento International Airport (25% of votes). The comments identified key attributes of the two indoor spaces and residents suggested integrating those attributes into the new Sacramento Valley Station building’s indoor public spaces. Among the two most frequently chosen options, community members liked The Bank and the Sacramento International Airport because of the openness the structure to the interior spaces, making them feel inviting to the public. Respondents wrote about how both The Bank and the Sacramento International Airport have modern and classic design elements, tall glass windows that allow for natural light, and plenty of spaces for public gathering. For The Bank, community members most frequently mentioned how the interior showcases the preserved historic ceiling while also including modern design elements added during the building’s renovation. Respondents also like the multi-level design, with a mix of open public spaces on the first floor, and more intimate gathering spaces on the second-floor balcony of comments mentioned The Bank's that allowing for flexible use of the space. Other popular 41% detailed ornate ceiling that was preserved during attributes of the bank are the ornate details on the walls and the building's renovation ceiling and the warm color palate. For the Sacramento International Airport, community members liked the height and open feeling to the interior of the concourse, allowing for easy traffic flow. Many respondents felt that the airport has a timeless and classic design, while also being very spacious and modern. Comments also noted many eye-catching art pieces featured inside the Sacramento International Airport, which add visual interest and character to the space. Some community members expressed their desire for the new Sacramento Valley Station concourse to have a modern feel to the interior and incorporate local art and as much natural lighting as possible. 35% of comments mentioned the Sacramento International Airport's abundance of natural light Page 6 of 16 Question 3: Outdoor Spaces The Sacramento Valley Station Master Plan Project Team is seeking input on the design for the new concourse's outdoor public spaces and plazas. Choose 1-2 images that the project team should draw inspiration from when designing the station’s outdoor spaces and plazas. Page 7 of 16 Key Findings When taking the virtual community workshop, community members had the option to write in comments to list what they like about each example of outdoor public spaces. The most selected options were the R Street Warehouse Artist Lofts (33% of votes) and the El Dorado Hills Town Center (26% of votes). The comments reflected key attributes of the two outdoor spaces and Sacramento residents suggested integrating these attributes into the new outdoor public plazas to be built in the Sacramento Valley Station project area. Key attributes that respondents like the most about both the R Street Warehouse Artist Lofts (WAL) and the El Dorado Hills Town Center are the lighting, the amount of outdoor seating and tables, and walkability. According to community members, these aspects of both outdoor spaces make them appear more inviting, safe, comfortable, and conducive to communal gathering.