Florin Road Partnership

01/08/2026

City activates weather-respite centers Jan. 8-10
With the National Weather Service forecasting colder temperatures this week, the City of Sacramento will activate weather-respite operations at the Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC) and the North 5th Street Navigation Center.

The OEC (3615 Auburn Blvd.) will open at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, and remain open through 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Walk-ups will be accepted, with the OEC able to accommodate up to 50 guests as part of its weather-respite activation. The center has storage available for personal belongings if needed and will accept pets.

The North 5th Street Navigation Center (700 North Fifth St.) will be open daily 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting Thursday, Jan. 8 through Saturday, Jan. 10. The navigation center can accommodate up to 20 adults but does not allow pets. To maintain accessibility and ensure smooth operations, visitors are encouraged not to gather or linger in front of the shelter.

During this time, libraries and community centers will also be available during their normal hours of operation, and people can also use these buildings as weather-respite locations.

Weather respite is available to all community members. If you need assistance in accessing weather respite, please call 211 or visit their website for more information on respite centers.

The County of Sacramento is also activating the North A Street Shelter (1400 N A St.) through Monday, Jan. 12 to provide additional weather-respite options for residents.

The City’s partnership with Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) will provide no-cost transportation to and from weather respite centers during their operation. To ride free, screenshot or print this SacRT flyer and present it to the bus operator upon boarding, or show light rail fare inspection staff upon request. Only valid to and from activated weather respite centers.

The City will continue to monitor the National Weather Service’s forecast and extend weather-respite operations as needed. The City will also monitor capacity at the sites to determine if other activations are necessary.

01/08/2026

CITY LAUNCHES AI-POWERED WEBSITE search to help residents find information faster

The City of Sacramento launched a new artificial intelligence feature Dec. 18 on its public website designed to help residents find information more quickly and easily.

The City’s website search page now includes an AI-generated summary at the top of search results. The tool provides clear, concise answers by summarizing information from multiple City sources, reducing time spent searching and improving transparency and usability. Users can ask full, plain-language questions and receive easy-to-understand responses before clicking through individual pages.

“This new feature is about making City information easier to access and easier to understand,” said Darin Arcolino, chief information officer for the City of Sacramento. “By summarizing content from across the City website, we are helping residents get the answers they need faster while supporting the City Council’s Streamline Sacramento effort.”

The feature builds on lessons learned from the City’s internal SacGPT proof of concept and reflects ongoing collaboration between the Information Technology Department and other City departments.

City staff who have tested the tool say it is already improving how information is found with the public.

“As someone who works closely with residents and the development community, I have seen how helpful this tool can be,” said Matt Hertel, assistant director of the Community Development Department. “The AI search summaries make complex information easier to find and understand, which saves time and improves the overall customer experience.”

City officials say the AI search enhancement supports broader efforts to modernize services and streamline how the public interacts with local government.

The City expects the feature to be among the first of its kind launched by a local government agency, reinforcing Sacramento’s role as a leader in responsible, practical uses of artificial intelligence for public service.

11/17/2025

Your PBID dollars at work!

11/12/2025

TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

Looking to purchase a new clothes washer? Time is running out to claim a rebate.

City of Sacramento residents interested in purchasing a high-efficiency washer are running out of time to claim a rebate.

The City’s High-Efficiency Washer Rebate Program will end on Dec. 15, closing out more than 15 years of helping residents reduce indoor water use.

“This rebate has always been about making it easy for customers to save water indoors,” said William Granger, the City’s water conservation coordinator. “Buying a high-efficiency washer is one of the easiest ways to do that.”

More than 4,000 rebates have been issued through the program, which offers residents up to $125 to purchase a new high-efficiency washer that uses up to 50% less water than older models.

Participation in the program has declined in recent years, which staff say signals that most customers are likely already choosing efficient washers without needing a financial incentive.

“We’re shifting our focus to areas where we can make the biggest difference,” Granger said. “Outdoor water use makes up the majority of residential water demand in Sacramento, so programs that help customers improve their irrigation systems and replace lawns with low-water landscapes offer the greatest savings potential.”

To qualify, customers must carefully review all program requirements and submit a completed application and receipt by Dec. 15.

More information can be found on the City’s Water Conservation website. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/utilities/water-conservation/rebates/indoor-rebates

11/03/2025

CITY ACTIVATES WEATHER PESPITE CENTER NOVEMBER 4-6

With the National Weather Service issuing a wind advisory, the City of Sacramento will activate weather-respite operations at its Outreach and Engagement Center (OEC).

The OEC (3615 Auburn Blvd.) will open at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, and remain open through 8 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. Walk-ups will be accepted, with the OEC able to accommodate up to 50 guests as part of its weather-respite activation. The center has storage available for personal belongings if needed and will accept pets.

During this time, libraries and community centers will also be available during their normal hours of operation, and people can also use these buildings as weather-respite locations.

Weather respite at the OEC is available to all community members. If you need assistance in accessing weather respite, please call 211 or visit their website for more information on respite centers.

The County of Sacramento is also activating its North A shelter facility (1400 North A St.) from Tuesday through Thursday to provide additional weather-respite options for residents.

The City will continue to monitor the National Weather Service’s forecast and extend weather-respite operations as needed. The City will also monitor capacity at the OEC to determine if other activations are necessary.

11/03/2025

2025 NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PARADE

The 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month Parade, will showcase floats, vehicles, horses, marchers, and cultural performers in celebration of Native American heritage and culture. Register now if you’re interested in being part of the parade.
If you have questions about the event, email [email protected] or call (916) 319-2045.

11/02/2025

10/31/2025

GO ONE ADVENTURE PARK PLANS TO FILL APPROXIMATELY 55,000 SQ FOOT SPACE AT 5601 FLORIN ROAD

The indoor family entertainment venue will include amenities such as a trampoline park, climbing walls, ropes courses and private rooms for rent.

The retail center is adjacent to the former Florin Mall property that was redeveloped into the Florin Towne Centre in 2008. Ethan Conrad purchased the former Sears footprint on that property in 2022. Conrad has since announced several tenants for that property, including a Quick Quack Car Wash, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Southern California-based Latino grocery chain El Super.

A portion of the former Sears building is also expected to be filled by indoor playground chain Kids Empire, a Southern California-based chain of indoor playgrounds.

10/31/2025

GROCER LINED UP FOR FORMER SEARS SPACE ON FLORIN ROAD

In what could be the largest store of its kind in the Sacramento region, Latino grocery store El Super is backfilling part of a former Sears space on Florin Road.

Ethan Conrad Properties, which owns the store property at 5901 Florin Road, announced on social media it's signed the Southern California-based chain for what appears to be its first location in the region.

According to the posting, El Super will occupy 52,299 square feet of the former Sears store, which is two stories and nearly 225,000 square feet. Though other tenants are in the works for that building, it's been vacant since Sears went out of business seven years ago.

10/31/2025

FALL BACK TO WEEKEND WATERING ONCE-A-WEEK WATERING SCHEDULE STARTS NOVEMBER 1
As temperatures cool and days grow shorter, landscapes across Sacramento don’t need as much water to stay healthy as they do in spring and summer.

Beginning Nov. 1, residents and businesses should use sprinklers just once per week—on either Saturday or Sunday—at any time of day.

“When the weather cools down, so should your watering,” said William Granger, the City’s water conservation coordinator. “This is the time of year to give your sprinklers a break and let Mother Nature do more of the work.”

According to City staff, cooler weather, longer nights and seasonal rainfall help soil retain moisture longer, allowing lawns and plants to thrive with far less irrigation.

Many customers can even turn off their automatic sprinklers entirely during the fall and winter months.

“You’d be surprised by how far a little rainfall can go for your lawn,” Granger added.

More information about the fall and winter watering schedule can be found on the City’s water conservation website.
https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/utilities/water-conservation/watering-schedule

10/31/2025

$1 MILLION IN GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE TO FUND PROGRAMS SUPPORTING SACRAMENTO ENTREPRENEURS AND START UP BUSINESSES.

The City of Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development is now accepting applications for the 2026 Innovation Grant Program, which provides $1 million in funding to organizations that support local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.

“A prosperous Sacramento needs new ideas and thriving local businesses,” said Mayor Kevin McCarty. “We are working to support entrepreneurs right here in our city.”

The program is designed to create a pipeline of support for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey, offering three grant categories that help founders build skills, access resources, and advance to the next stage of growth.

“Sacramento is home to bold entrepreneurs and scalable small businesses ready to grow,” said Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso. “These grants will connect them with the training, mentorship, and resources they need to turn ideas into thriving companies that drive our local economy.”

Category A: Entrepreneurship Education and Access Grants
This category funds standalone or progressive workshops, business training series or open lab coaching hours that help entrepreneurs develop ideas or strengthen skills, with an emphasis on tech-enabled and scalable businesses.

Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $15,000, with a maximum of $3,000 per workshop or training hosted within the city limits.
Category B: Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants
This category funds programs that support cohorts of early-stage business participants to start or grow their businesses, spur innovation and stimulate economic development.

Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $100,000 to host incubator or accelerator programs in the city of Sacramento. Programs may include mentorship and coaching, training sessions, product development support, marketing and branding support, strategic connections, access to funding and office space.
Category C: Innovation and Investment Readiness Grants
This category funds programming that connects established startups and tech businesses to funding opportunities and customers. Programs may focus on technology commercialization, access to capital or customer acquisition for businesses ready to grow.

Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $100,000 to host programs in the city of Sacramento that connect high-growth startups and companies to capital or customers.
By structuring funding across these three categories, the program creates a continuum of support that enables entrepreneurs to build skills and advance toward high-growth ventures that strengthen Sacramento’s economy.

Programs must be completed within a 12-month contract period. Applicants for an Innovation and Investment Readiness Grant are not eligible to also apply for or receive an Entrepreneurship Education and Access Grant or an Incubator and Accelerator Grant.

Grant funding comes from the City’s Innovation and Growth Fund. Complete program guidelines are available on the City’s website. https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/city-manager/oied/business/innovation-and-entrepreneurship/innovation-grants
Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Dec. 22.

10/02/2025

CHECK OUT FLOOD-FIGHTING TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE OCTOBER 18TH HIGHWATER JAMBOREE

The City of Sacramento is inviting residents to get an up-close look at flood-fighting tools, equipment and technology during its annual Highwater Jamboree on Saturday, Oct. 18 at North Natomas Regional Park (2501 New Market Drive).

This free, family-friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and gives the public a chance to see how local, state and federal agencies prepare for flood season.

Featured equipment includes public safety rescue vehicles, heavy trucks, automatic sandbagging machines, and “The Claw,” a tractor-like vehicle used to collect leaves and debris.

Attendees can also visit information booths to learn practical ways to prepare for floods—such as purchasing flood insurance, planning evacuation routes, and signing up for emergency alerts.

“We’re excited to once again bring together agencies, departments, and community partners to showcase their expertise and help individuals and families prepare,” said Carlos Eliason, a communication specialist with the City’s Department of Utilities, which helps manage flood prevention.

Hundreds are expected to attend and while RSVPs aren’t required, the City encourages participants to respond through the Facebook event page. https://www.facebook.com/events/2213687765725195