Council approves funding for replacement of Old Sacramento dining deck over river

The Sacramento City Council approved budget changes to fund replacement of the riverfront dining deck at 1110 Front Street in Old Sacramento, commonly identified as the former Rio City Café deck, after staff described significant structural deterioration that led to a full closure in April 2024.

James Christiansen, speaking for city facilities, told council the wooden deck—installed around 1993—suffered sun, wind and moisture exposure that caused rot and sagging. Christiansen summarized the project history: a facilities condition assessment in 2018 recommended a full structural review; the city hired a structural engineer in early 2020 and monitored the deck annually; portions were shored and partially closed as damage progressed; by April 2024 the deck had to be closed for safety. "The wooden deck is over 30 years old, it was installed somewhere around 1993," Christiansen said.

City staff said engineers completed construction documents in January 2024 and the project design follows the original deck outline, which simplifies permitting and allows the work to proceed under a maintenance contract. Staff said TriMid was chosen through a design-assist process and will provide a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) to build the deck. The lower structural members will be steel to extend lifetime, while the walking surface will be wood; staff estimated a similar 30-year service life for the new deck with appropriate maintenance.

Christiansen outlined regulatory and logistics challenges: work over the Sacramento River requires coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state Fish and Wildlife, State Lands and regional flood-protection agencies, and seasonal work windows limit construction activity to approximately May through October unless special approvals are obtained. Staff said the city hopes to construct during this seasonal window and, if council approved funding, would begin mobilization immediately.

On funding, staff said the state awarded the city a $4.6 million grant (Budget Act of 2024) that the city accepted in 2025. Staff reported an estimated construction cost of approximately $2.95 million (construction only) and an overall project budget around $4.3 million when contingencies, construction management, inspections and other soft costs are included. Christiansen said the $4.6 million grant should cover the project budget.

Councilmembers asked technical and program questions. Councilmember Dickinson asked whether a small section of the deck attached to the building would be removed; Christiansen said a roughly 4-by-8-foot later-added section that had not been permitted will be removed and rebuilt in a different way. Councilmember Jennings asked about projected lifespan and maintenance; Christiansen said the new steel substructure will last substantially longer and the wood deck above should reach at least 30 years with good maintenance and proper lease/maintenance provisions.

Councilmember Pluckiboom moved staff’s recommendation and Councilmember Dickinson seconded. After brief council remarks emphasizing the importance of riverfront infrastructure and tourism access, the council voted to approve the budget adjustments to proceed with replacement under the proposed budget and grant funding. Staff will proceed with permitting and construction tasks to meet the May–October work window.