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Assemblymember Kevin McCarty has announced three Downtown Sacramento state buildings to be transitioned into housing through Adaptive Reuse legislation

For immediate release:

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) has announced that the Employment Development Department (EDD) headquarters, EDD Solar Building, and the State Personnel Board building will be transitioned into housing through the Assemblymember’s Adaptive Reuse bill.

A 2020 state-commissioned study of the buildings found that this adaptive reuse will produce almost 400 climate-smart one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. On January 31st, the Department of General Services (DGS) started accepting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from developers who might be looking to work on the project.

The buildings are located at the following sites:

  • EDD headquarters - 800 Capitol Mall
  • EDD Solar Building - 751 N Street
  • State Personnel Board Building - 801 Capitol Mall

“This is exciting news for the downtown area,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “Transitioning the EDD buildings into housing is just the beginning of helping residents find affordable places to live and repopulate the area. I look forward to seeing these types of vacant buildings make the transition and help Downtown Sacramento once again become a vibrant hub.”

"The size and location of these three Capitol Mall buildings give us the opportunity to create a transit-friendly village with hundreds of new housing units -- a project that will speed the evolution of our downtown away from reliance on office workers," Mayor Steinberg said. "We will work with the state, our development partners, and the community around Capitol Mall to create something that truly enhances our city's front door."

 “As urban centers across the country continue to adapt toward increased hybrid work models, the conversion of underutilized office buildings on Capitol Mall into mixed-income residences will add population density to the Central City and enhance the relationship between housing, employment, and social connectivity centers,” said Downtown Sacramento Partnership Executive Director, Michael Ault. “Well-designed, transit-oriented housing developments provide a tremendous opportunity to usher in a new era of vitality and build community on the Main Street of California. We look forward to working with our community partners to welcome new residents within the heart of our Capital City.”

McCarty’s Adaptive Reuse legislation, AB 2592, was signed into law by Governor Newsom in September of 2022. The bill directs the Department of General Services (DGS) to develop a plan to transition underutilized multistory state buildings into housing.

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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 6th Assembly District, which includes the city of Sacramento, and parts of unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Website of Assemblymember Kevin McCarty: https://a06.asmdc.org/