The former Capitol Park Hotel has reopened in downtown Sacramento with a spruced up appearance and a new purpose: It will now serve as permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless residents.
The stately white-bricked building at 9th and L streets is a block from the state Capitol. It includes two towers, one built in 1911 and the other in 1912, which together have served as everything from a women’s college to a single room occupancy hotel. Most recently, it was used as an emergency homeless shelter.
The historic building, now called Saint Clare at Capitol Park, welcomed its first new residents this week following more than three years of renovations. The work included seismic upgrades and a full interior reconstruction, though crews preserved the lobby’s original hexagonal tilework, railings, stairwells and the building’s brick exterior.
The former Capitol Park Hotel in downtown Sacramento has reopened as permanent homeless housing. The historic structure was built in 1911 and 1912 a block from the state Capitol.Chris Nichols / CapRadio
Over the next several weeks, residents will move into what will eventually be 134 studio apartments, each with a bathroom and kitchenette. They’ll be supported by a range of onsite staff providing case management, security and maintenance, said Rich Ciraulo, regional director with Mercy Housing, which led the restoration efforts.
“One of the great things about this community is it’s housed in this amazingly historic beautiful building,” Ciraulo said during a tour this week, “but the real sort of magic happens in the staffing and the services that are provided to the residents that are coming here.”
He said the building was renamed Saint Clare as a tribute to the Italian saint who embraced a life of poverty.
Transforming the historic structure hasn’t been cheap. Ciraulo placed the total development cost at “around $76 million,” all from government funding, including a $20 million contribution by the city of Sacramento.
Altogether, that amounts to $567,000 per renovated apartment.
Rich Ciraulo of Mercy Housing says the $76 million cost to renovate the former Capitol Park Hotel represents Sacramento’s long-term investment in housing for formerly homeless residents.Chris Nichols / CapRadio News
Critics say the high cost of projects like Saint Clare show the need for a new, market-driven approach. Sacramento developer John Vignocchi said his firm Urban Capital plans to build homeless shelter projects far below the per unit cost spent on Saint Clare, which he estimated at closer to $400,000 per unit when the cost of services is removed.
“If you compare that same public subsidy to a solution like we’re proposing, at $100,000 a unit, you could help four times as many people,” Vignocchi said.
In response, Ciraulo said the private market likely could not afford to preserve the historic building while also turning it into supportive housing.
He said the $76 million cost includes the acquisition of the building, its new concrete framing installed to make it seismically safe, the repair and replacement of extensive dry rot found throughout and the preservation of its historic features. It also includes the cost of architectural designs, structural engineering, required reserve funds and services for residents.
During the renovation of the former Capitol Park Hotel, crews preserved the original hexagonal tilework, railings, staircases and brick exterior. Services at the Saint Clare include laundry, security and case management for all residents.Chris Nichols / CapRadio News
Between the support provided and building upgrades, Ciraulo said Sacramento is investing in the long-term.
“We don't only have high-end hotels and expensive condos in our downtown,” he added. “We also have a place for everyone to live.”
All residents at Saint Clare must be referred through the Sacramento Coordinated Access System, which connects people who are unhoused with shelter and housing. It is managed by the nonprofit Sacramento Steps Forward.
More information about Saint Claire and housing resources are available on the Mercy Housing website.
Contact CapRadio reporter Chris Nichols at [email protected]
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today
