The skyline of downtown Sacramento is expected to undergo some major changes in 2007 with nearly four dozen projects underway or slated to begin in the coming months.

“Downtown is becoming the heart of the region with these projects. I think it’s an exciting time for us,” Sacramento Downtown Partnership Executive Director Michael Ault said. “This is the year where we set the groundwork for much bigger things.”

Ault said 45 downtown construction projects are currently completed, in progress, or planned for the new year. By year’s end, the downtown area will see completed construction of approximately 15,000 new residental units. Just one of those projects, the new 260-plus unit Marriott Residence Inn at 15th and L streets, is expected to open its doors for business in March.

Along Capitol Mall alone, construction continues on no less than four office and residential high-rises all stretching up over 25 stories high, including the 53-story Towers project at Capitol and Third Avenue.

Restaurants and other businesses will also be taking advantage of the 2007 growth. Developer Joe Zeiden is expected to complete a full rehabilitation of historic buildings along the 700 block of K Street as home to 56,000 square feet of new restaurants and retail space.

Meanwhile, the Westfield Downtown Plaza is also expected to see more than $100 million in renovations, including plans for a Target store and supermarket.

“We’re seeing key projects on the K Street Mall finally come into play, which is really going to change the way retail looks,” Ault said.

Detailed plans for many of 2007’s main projects are expected to be unveiled Thursday morning at the 9th Annual State of Downtown Breakfast event at Memorial Auditorium.

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[tags] Sacramento, Sacramento construction, towers, Memorial Auditorium [/tags]