From the Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency's newsletter:
SHRA recently celebrated the grand opening of Mirasol Village, a transformative redevelopment project which replaces the former 218-unit Twin Rivers public housing community into a 22-acre modern designed complex of 427 affordable, workforce, and market-rate rental apartments.
This achievement was marked by a grand celebration that included local, state, and federal leaders as well as SHRA officials, developer partner McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), stakeholders and residents. Donned in yellow and white decor to represent the color of a sunflower to which Mirasol Village is named, guests gathered at Block A to hear speakers share the importance of the project to the community, their contributions and how collaboration was key to bringing the redevelopment to fruition.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui who played a pivotal role in advocating for Mirasol Village was unable to attend the ceremony but offered remarks. “I want to give a special thanks to SHRA and McCormack Baron Salazar for their dedication to the Marisol Village affordable housing development. Their work to build affordable housing for Sacramentans, with resources at their doorstep, is truly transformative for our community. I am proud to have advocated for this project at every step of the way and I remain committed to empowering SHRA to bring more affordable housing options to the Sacramento region," Matsui said.
Attendees also heard from a former resident of Twin Rivers who now calls Mirasol Village home. “I had the opportunity to change my life so I did. I was job ready, resume ready, interview ready and money management ready. This new housing can bring so many opportunities,” said Brittany Threets when discussing the training she was able to utilize during construction of Mirasol Village funded through self-sufficiency programs offered by SHRA. Prior to the demolition of Twin Rivers residents were given an opportunity to temporarily relocate and return after construction of Mirasol Village.
SHRA Executive Director likened the Mirasol Village transformation to the lifecycle of the butterfly which can be seen in colorful displays throughout the community. “The egg stage was “The Dos,” the name to which residents affectionately referred to Dos Rios, then evolving to the caterpillar stage, working hard to assemble all the funding.” Dozier described the pupa or cocoon stage as a radical transformation (relocating residents, starting construction) where a lot is going on but it hard to see the work. “And now,” said Dozier, “the community is emerging as the beautiful butterfly it was always meant to be."
Construction began in July 2020 and the first 123 units were fully occupied in 2022. Move-ins at the second phase began in March 2023. Construction of the third and fourth phases, totaling 200 units, will be completed later this year and late 2024, respectively. Amenities include a public park, community garden and walking trail. Construction of the Early Education Child Care Center will begin in the coming weeks. The main residential project, including the Dos Rios Light Rail Station should be complete by 2025.
Mirasol Village is the culmination of $320 million in total investments which includes $240 million for the construction of the Mirasol Village housing community and $80 million for neighborhood and transit improvements. It was the initial $300,000 federal Choice Neighborhoods Initiative planning grant awarded to SHRA that created a roadmap for what would later become the revitalized community and also served as a springboard for SHRA to receive a $30 million CNI implementation grant to implement the strategies identified in the Transformation Plan.
A recording of the grand opening can be found online.