Elk Grove Old Town : Special Planning Area

About Old Town Elk Grove

Old Town Elk Grove is a historic area within Elk Grove city limits. Among the many buildings that date back to the mid-1800s visitors can find more than 70 boutique and antique shops, cozy restaurants and small businesses.

A Special Planning Area (SPA) was created many years ago in an effort to protect these buildings and their historic integrity. The SPA defines the type of land uses that can come to Old Town, and it establishes architectural design guidelines. The SPA was formally adopted by Elk Grove City Council on August 10, 2005. To view the SPA, click here.

Take a walk through then and now.

The Vision for Revitalization

The City of Elk Grove recently completed a $6 million revitalization of Old Town. The project entailed more than ten months of construction and improvements to streets, sidewalks, lighting, storm drainage and landscaping. The improvements were designed to boost the economic vitality and attractiveness of Old Town Elk Grove while preserving the area’s unique character and history.

These improvements evolved out of a thorough community-based planning process led by local elected officials, the Old Town Elk Grove Foundation and other community organizations. Numerous workshops were held to identify and prioritize specific improvements that met the goals and needs of the merchants, customers and the surrounding community.

The Old Town Elk Grove Improvement Project is the first step toward an overall revitalization effort to enhance and preserve one of the oldest western settlements in the greater Sacramento region. The City of Elk Grove, in conjunction with Old Town merchants and its residents, is committed to protecting Old Town’s heritage and revitalizing the area to make it a more appealing destination for shoppers, diners and tourists.

Preserve America

The City of Elk Grove was recently designated a Preserve America Community by the White House. Preserve America Logo

The national program recognizes communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage heritage education and tourism programs.

Since the program began in 2004, 400 communities nationwide have been designated Preserve America Communities. The City of Elk Grove was the sixth community in California to receive the Preserve America Community designation.

For more information about the Preserve America program visit http://www.preserveamerica.gov