Category Archives: Neighborhood Voices Scholarship

East Sacramento Preservation

Posted on 01/22/2026 by admin

Board Meeting Minutes

January 14, 2026 | 7:00 p.m.
Alhambra Room, Clunie Community Center

Board Members, Guests Present

Rose Luther, Cindy Oropeza, Patty Waite, Louise Buford, Bud Brown, Martín Palomar, Will Green, Ellen Cochrane

Important Dates

  • Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
    Community discussion on the El Dorado School/McClaskey Adult Education School Site Clunie Community Center.
  • Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
    Casa Loma Terrace–East Sacramento Community Organization meeting at the Clunie Community Center to discuss the Maryann’s Bakery project, Rite Aide project, McKinley Park Ranger service and more.

Approval of Prior Minutes

The board voted to approve the previous meeting’s minutes.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Will Green provided a brief financial update, noting that ESP remains in good financial standing. A more detailed report will be presented at the next meeting.

McClaskey Adult Education School Site (El Dorado School Update)

Neighbor Shannon Ross provided an overview of ongoing efforts to support continued community use of the McClatchy Adult Education School site and to address the potential sale of the property.

Shannon Ross, Martín Palomar, Bud Brown, and Will Green have applied to serve on the Sacramento City Unified School District 7-11 Committee, which will review options related to the possible sale of the site. Updates will be shared as information becomes available.

ESP Scholarship Award Update

Ellen Cochrane and Cindy Oropeza met with Shawn D’Alesandro of Umoja International Baccalaureate High School. ESP will award scholarships to graduating seniors once again in 2026 and is also exploring support for graduation-related expenses this year.

Alhambra Boulevard Rite Aid Storage Proposal

Patty Waite and Louise Buford presented an update on the proposed storage facility planned for the former Rite Aid site on Alhambra Boulevard.

The project would demolish the existing structure and replace it with a five-story, 65-foot-tall storage building. Neighbors have raised significant concerns, including:

  • Incompatibility with the Alhambra Special Planning District vision for a vibrant, walkable corridor
  • Creation of a “dead zone” along Alhambra Boulevard
  • Negative impacts on neighborhood character, safety, and quality of life

Community members have suggested alternative uses such as housing, a daycare center, an ethnic grocery store, a public market, or a fitness and wellness facility.

Residents who oppose the project are encouraged to email their name and zip code with the subject line “Opposed to Alhambra Storage” to Louisembuford@gmail.com.

Next Meeting

The next East Sacramento Preservation meeting will take place on
Wednesday, February 11, 2026, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the Clunie Community Center.

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A Note of Gratitude—and a Reminder of Why Our Scholarship Matters

Posted on 07/27/2025 by admin

East Sacramento Preservation recently received a heartfelt thank you letter from Lucy Higginbotham, a 2025 graduate of Umoja International Academy and recipient of this year’s ESP Scholarship. Lucy is headed to Cal Poly Humboldt to pursue studies in wildlife—her passion and academic focus—and she took the time to write us a beautiful letter, complete with hand-drawn illustrations of local birds she loves.

In her letter, Lucy shared that the scholarship was not only a welcome surprise but also a meaningful contribution to her journey into higher education. It’s a reminder that our neighborhood’s support doesn’t stop at our sidewalks. It travels with our young people as they take the next step in life.

This scholarship program is one of the most impactful ways ESP contributes to the future of our community. It reaches students directly, uplifts dreams, and reinforces the values of stewardship, learning, and local investment. And this letter—thoughtful, personal, creative—is proof that it matters.

We thank Lucy for sharing her gratitude and her art with us. And we reaffirm our belief that this scholarship program has legs. It is not only alive but growing, with the potential to expand and strengthen as our neighborhood continues to invest in its next generation.

Let’s keep it going.

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