Placer Community Foundation Awards $10,000 Grant to Support Downtown Auburn Arts and Entertainment District

Placer Community Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the City of Auburn to support development of a Downtown Auburn Arts and Entertainment District Master Plan, an effort designed to create a stronger and more distinctive identity for downtown, defined as the area north of City Hall and south of Old Town Pizza.

The master plan will focus on Auburn’s downtown commercial corridor, including High Street, Lincoln Way and surrounding commercial areas. It will create a clear vision for future arts, cultural and placemaking investments and provide a roadmap for projects designed to strengthen the downtown experience.

The planning effort is a collaborative investment by the City of Auburn, the Downtown Business Association and Placer Community Foundation. The City has committed $10,000 from its budget, and the Downtown Business Association has committed an additional $10,000. The Community Foundation’s grant, awarded through an anonymous donor’s charitable fund, provides the final $10,000 needed to move the planning effort forward, bringing the total investment to $30,000.

“This grant is an example of what can happen when local philanthropy helps bring community partners together around a shared vision,” said Placer Community Foundation CEO Veronica Blake. “We are proud to support the City of Auburn and the Downtown Business Association as they work to create a downtown that reflects Auburn’s unique character and gives residents, businesses and visitors even more reasons to gather, explore and spend time there.”

Jonathan Wright, Economic Development Director for the City of Auburn, said the goal is to build on the assets already found downtown while creating an identity that is distinctly Auburn.

“I envision a Downtown that has a personality of its own,” Wright said.

The vision could include more murals and public art, interesting storefronts and building treatments, inviting public spaces, gateways that clearly identify the district, and places for performances and events.

“Ultimately, this effort should result in a Downtown that people intentionally seek out, rather than discovering by accident, because there is something interesting and intriguing about it,” Wright said.

The master plan also will bring together ideas and improvement efforts that have emerged over the years, helping ensure future projects contribute to a cohesive downtown rather than developing independently.

“We don’t want to do a bunch of individual projects that look good on their own but don’t work together,” Wright said. “The master plan gives us an opportunity to bring those pieces together into one clear vision.”

The plan will serve as a roadmap and clearinghouse for future projects, helping the City, Downtown Business Association, property owners and businesses work toward the same identity. It also will help prioritize projects and identify opportunities for investment.

For residents, the effort is intended to create a stronger place to gather, enjoy events, experience art and culture, and spend time with friends and family. For businesses, a more inviting downtown could attract more people and give them more reasons to stay longer and explore. For visitors, the goal is to make downtown easier to recognize, easier to find and more compelling to visit.

The grant was formally presented to the City of Auburn during Placer Community Foundation’s Board meeting on Aug. 20, and was subsequently accepted by the City Council on Aug. 24.

The donor behind the grant has chosen to remain anonymous. Placer Community Foundation supports donors who want to make a difference in their communities while maintaining privacy around their giving.

Placer Community Foundation unites people, ideas and resources to address community challenges and create opportunities for all. Through charitable funds established by local donors, the foundation supports organizations and initiatives that strengthen communities throughout Placer County.