Sacramento Waterfront Feasibility Study

Following ATLAS Lab’s award-winning submission to the “Front Porch” Waterfront Idea Makers Competition, the firm was selected to work in partnership with Stantec and the City of Sacramento to advance the redevelopment of the Old Sacramento Waterfront through a comprehensive feasibility study. ATLAS Lab led the urban design and public realm visioning for the Front Street Experience, building on the conceptual framework established in the competition and translating it into actionable design strategies. The scope included extensive public engagement, with multiple presentations to City staff, local stakeholders, and community groups to ensure the design reflected broad civic input and regional identity.

Working alongside team members WET Design (fountain design) and the Hettama Group, the team developed a bold yet feasible vision for reconnecting the city to its riverfront and activating one of Sacramento’s most historically significant areas. The work culminated in a successful presentation to the City Council, which approved full funding for implementation, marking an important milestone in the City’s waterfront revitalization efforts.

about the project

As part of the Sacramento Waterfront Feasibility Study, ATLAS Lab developed a public realm design that reorients a series of public assembly buildings and surrounding open spaces to create a vibrant, programmable destination along the city’s historic waterfront. The vision transforms underutilized space into an active civic heart, welcoming visitors and residents alike for daily use and large-scale events.

Through an iterative design process, ATLAS Lab explored three conceptual frameworks: Box Car Park, River Esplanade, and Trestle Promenade. Each concept tested a signature placemaking strategy that:

  1. Celebrates and enhances the site’s historic character, and

  2. Stitches together diverse recreational and cultural uses.

These concepts were shared in a series of presentations to City staff and local stakeholders, culminating in a hybrid master plan that integrates the most impactful elements of each.

At the heart of the plan is a two-story assembly building:

  • The ground level includes service areas, concessions, and storage, supporting flexible daily and event operations.

  • The upper level features an assembly hall with both interior and exterior spaces, designed to host public and private gatherings throughout the year.

Surrounding the building is a collection of open-air event spaces, adaptable for events ranging from intimate performances to large gatherings of 5,000+ attendees. Complementary family-friendly amenities include a steam feature, reflecting pool, and an interactive children’s splash pad, all designed to activate the space beyond scheduled programming.

Core Design Goals:

  • Establish a vibrant and active open space.

  • Support flexible, multi-scale event use.

  • Create a family-friendly destination.

  • Curate consistent 24/7 programming

  • Enhance safety, comfort, and accessibility.

Together, these elements form a dynamic, community-focused waterfront that is rich in culture, ecology, and opportunity, positioning Sacramento’s riverfront as a vital civic asset for generations to come.