Folsom Blvd Coalition

Uplifting Folsom Blvd. through beautification, commerce, and safety

The Folsom Blvd Coalition (FBC) meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 4pm via Zoom.

To join, please complete the registration form.

About us

Our mission

The Folsom Blvd Coalition strives to revitalize the corridor by partnering with stakeholders to improve aesthetics, safety, and economic development between Howe and Watt Avenues.

What we do

FBC includes volunteers and partners such as neighborhood associations, businesses, and members of local government. They work to improve the corridor by:

  • serving as a liaison between the community and city services like the police
  • working with local businesses on signage and related visual improvements
  • supporting public art projects like murals

Our vision

A revitalized corridor, safe and accessible for all transportation methods, transformed from a place to pass through into a destination

A community—including the thriving neighborhood of College-Glen, Sacramento State, Cristo Rey High School, and local businesses—supported as people, including students, walk between stores, restaurants, and gathering places

A boulevard enlivened by art installations and events taking place throughout, creating a pride of place for locals and increased interest from visitors

Our history

College Greens residents formed the Folsom Blvd Coalition in the fall of 2021. Throughout its existence, FBC has partnered with governmental organizations, businesses and groups, and the nearby university of Sacramento State.

The Coalition has collaborated consistently with governmental entities:

Mural on exterior of building
The mural at Brothers Plumbing Supply celebrates the diversity of Sacramento. From left to right, it depicts the agricultural history of Asian Americans and strawberry farming, the American River and childhood memories of fishing, a contemporary member of the Nisenan tribe wearing a traditional headdress, a Sacramento State student, and a mom who is proudly graduating from the university. In the background is the iconic Guy West Bridge.
  • In 2022, they partnered with Councilmember Guerra, the city’s Arts and Culture Department, and community members to create a mural at Brothers Plumbing Supply (8581 Kiefer Blvd.) through the “Community Murals Sacramento” program.
  • In 2023, they collaborated with the state government, receiving an initial commitment from Assemblymember McCarty for a $25,000 grant from the California Dept. of Natural Resources for the beautification of Folsom Blvd.
  • In 2024, they formed a multifaceted partnership to clean up a large encampment on the Union Pacific property at Kiefer Blvd. (adjacent to Folsom Blvd.). On the governmental side, this project included working with Councilmember Guerra’s office and city and county staff like the Incident Management team.
  • The Coalition continues to work on street improvements along the corridor with governing representatives. They also coordinate meetings with the local police department to analyze data for the area to support community safety.

Businesses and organizations have also been key partners:

Billboard yard sign
One of the repainted “College Greens” signs
  • In 2022, FBC worked with Evolution Commercial Properties to install new drought-tolerant landscaping in a planter at 8333 Folsom Blvd. (CK’s Donuts & Diamond Gas & Mart) and remove the old, unsightly pole and signage.
  • Also that year, they collaborated with Ethan Conrad Properties and Vertus Properties to coordinate and repaint “College Greens” signs on Notre Dame at Folsom Blvd.
  • The 2024 project to remove the encampment from the Union Pacific property also involved working with Union Pacific and Sacramento Regional Transit staff and neighborhood associations.
  • In an ongoing project since 2024, FBC has collaborated with PG&E to replace the aging fence at the Brighton Substation (Power Inn Rd. & Folsom Blvd.) with a new mural wall.
  • The Coalition continues to work with businesses and organizations in areas such as landscaping and signage.
  • The Power Inn Alliance assists FBC with qualifying for project funding.
  • The Coalition collaborates with the two neighborhood associations in its boundaries: Neighbors of College-Glen (NCG) and the College-Glen Neighborhood Association. FBC and the associations support each other’s volunteering efforts, and association members attend FBC meetings and provide feedback.

In 2023, the Coalition would form a strong ongoing partnership with Sacramento State.

Utility box fully covered in a decorative wrap
The artwork on this utility box reflects a vision for the future of the American River where the water is free of trash and the ecosystem can thrive.
  • This began with applying for and receiving a $5000 “Anchor Grant” from Sac State. An additional $6000 was raised through ioby, and the money was used to vinyl wrap 11 city and SMUD utility boxes with artwork created by Sac State Graphic Design students (as featured throughout this website).
  • Students also developed a Research Plan for an artisan-farmers market at the Folsom Boulevard Flea Market and a comprehensive Economic Development Plan that year.
    • The Economic Development Plan combines research with proposals for the beautification and improvement of Folsom Blvd. that should help drive interest from developers and businesses.
      • One significant goal outlined in the plan is to have an art installation that marks Folsom Blvd. as a historic transportation corridor. This would be a key step in placemaking (i.e. making it a notable destination).
  • Artwork from Sac State Design students will adorn the wall that will replace the fence at PG&E’s Brighton Substation.
  • In 2025, a Sacramento State student redesigned and revised the FBC website.

Utility boxes wrapped in artwork created by Sacramento State Graphic Design students in collaboration with the coalition.

Show descriptions of all utility boxes.
Box 1. Utility box fully covered in a decorative wrap
Depicts Sac State students and the Guy West Bridge (Folsom Blvd./Jackson Hwy./Notre Dame Dr: southeast side [near 8354 Folsom Blvd.])
Box 2
Depicts the neighborhood shopping center. (Light rail station: west side [across from Raley’s shopping center: 8391 Folsom Blvd.])
Box 3
Fun day on the river: rafting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. (Light rail station: east end [near the intersection of Folsom Blvd. & Julliard Dr.)
Box 4
Showcases transportation, such as the Pony Express and light rail. (Folsom Blvd.: East of Julliard Dr., south side [adjacent to tracks])
Box 5
Showcases the past strawberry and hop fields in the area.(Folsom Blvd. & Wissemann Dr. [SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: 8725 Folsom Blvd.])
Box 6
Vision of a future artisan market for the area. (8785 Folsom Bvd. [west of first driveway])
Box 7
The changing of seasons from fall to winter with people taking a walk. (20 Bicentennial Cir.)
Box 8
Whimsical art of a person fishing on the river. (8745 Folsom Blvd.)
Box 9
A day on the American River with animal life, a present-day picnic basket, and a historical scene of a Native American holding a basket. (8240 Folsom Blvd.)
Box 10
Changing of seasons, with leaves falling and the salmon run. (8181 Folsom Blvd./Margaret Ln.)
Box 11
Depiction of a beautiful spring or summer day on the American River. It reflects a vision for the future of the river where the water is free of trash and the ecosystem can thrive. (20 Bicentennial Cir.)