For Immediate Release: 11/28/2018
California State Parks Moving Forward with Plans for Prized Historic Buildings in Sacramento Railyards
Contact:
Adeline Yee I Information Officer I (916) 651-8725
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California State Parks today announced that it will move forward with its visionary plans for two historic buildings in the Sacramento Railyards. The path is now clear for Parks to own and manage the Boiler Shop Building and the Erecting Shop as part of a larger project to revitalize the 240-acre Sacramento Downtown Railyards.
The two historic buildings were constructed beginning in the late 1800s and were previously used by California State Parks staff under a long-term lease. The shops provide space for indoor storage of dozens of locomotives, railroad cars, and related equipment. In addition, the shops allow space for locomotive repair and maintenance as an essential component of the operation of the California State Railroad Museum.
Over the course of many years, California State Parks has worked with the State Lands Commission, City of Sacramento, and Downtown Railyard Venture to acquire the historic Boiler Shop Building and the Erecting Shop. On Sept. 8, 2017, the Public Works Board approved the acquisition of the Boiler Shop Building and secured a 30-year lease, with an option to acquire, the Erecting Shop, which closed escrow in early 2018.
“These buildings could also one day serve as the perfect venue for exhibits and hands-on activities that actively demonstrate how transportation, industry, technology, agriculture, business, and diversity shaped our past and continue to be a part of our vibrant future,” said Ty Smith, Museum Director, California State Railroad Museum. “State Parks looks forward to planning future uses of these historic and iconic buildings together with our partner the California State Railroad Museum Foundation."
In line with the original plan in place, even before the Railroad Museum was built in 1981, acquisition sets the foundation for the long-term vision of creating an interactive, hands-on exhibit that would complement the current Railroad Museum.
“The California State Railroad Museum Foundation is thrilled to help drive the effort to create a unique, engaging and memorable experience that brings to life the past, present and future of railroading,” said Cheryl Marcell, President & CEO of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation. “With the possible future addition of an interactive venue, the plan is to extend programming and exhibits from the existing Railroad Museum to the Shops buildings. There, museum visitors could have the unique opportunity to participate in on-site tours, watch ongoing and time-honored restoration work underway in the boiler and erecting shops, and learn about the exciting future of railroading.”
Updates on the Railyards Project will be posted on California State Park’s website at www.parks.ca.gov/SacramentoRailyardProject.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.