SOCA History

The Sacramento Old City Association (SOCA) was born in 1972, when downtown homeowners discovered they could not obtain financing from lending institutions to restore and rehabilitate their homes. Lenders at the time did not consider central city homes worthy of investment. These pioneers banded together and formed SOCA, and because of their efforts, many of the city’s historic homes and civic landmarks have been saved and restored.

Today, the mission continues. SOCA engages in action that preserves and enhances the quality of life for city residents, businesses and visitors by promoting harmonious relationships among residential and commercial interests in the ‘old city’.

SOCA is an all volunteer organization. Members devote their time to increasing public awareness of the irreplaceable historic and cultural resources of the city. Other activities include advocating appropriate policies that ensure a quality urban environment that is respectful of our historic buildings and traditional neighborhoods.

The following have demanded our attention in recent years: Restoration of the Memorial Auditorium, The Railyards, implementation of the R Street Plan, plans to keep the historic Southern Pacific Rail Depot as a functioning passenger rail station, and many other projects that focus attention on the need to preserve and protect our historic places.

2009 – 2010 SOCA Activities

Below is a sample of the issues and related activities the SOCA Board of Directors participated in this past year. 

• Continue to work with the City Preservation Commission on minimum maintenance standards for historic properties to prevent “demolition by neglect.”

• Monitor the restoration of the Historic Southern Pacific Depot as it becomes a part of the new Intermodal Transportation Facility

• Work with State Parks to assure appropriate historic designation boundaries for the Railyards as the National Register nomination is prepared

• Work with the city of Sacramento to survey the historic underground sidewalks for the potential of becoming a popular tourist destinations and saved from demolition

• SOCA opposed an effort in 2009 to by the Development Oversight Commission to eliminate the Design Commission

• SOCA opposes the demolition of the Bel Vue Apartments, a historic building on 8th Street between K and L Streets. 

• SOCA joined other organizations in 2008 and 2009 in opposition to extending HOV lanes to downtown where traffic would empty on to residential streets. A settlement was reached with CalTrans in 2009.

• SOCA testified at the Sacramento City Unified School District about the future of their historic buildings in the Central City and organized two tours of the Old Jefferson School at 17th & N Streets. Tours were attended by several developers and architects.

• SOCA has organized and co-sponsored quarterly meetings of the Preservation Roundtable

• SOCA held a mixer with neighborhood association leaders to strengthen relationships.

• SOCA conducted a successful home tour in Boulevard Park in 2009, showcasing eight homes and involving over 100 volunteers.