RENOVATIONS SET TO START AT THE HISTORIC WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER. THAT’S IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. IT IS THE OLDEST CHICANO CULTURAL CENTER IN SACRAMENTO, FOUNDED ALL THE WAY BACK IN 1952. WITH DECADES OF SERVICE FOR PEOPLE IN THE INDIGENOUS AND CHICANO COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER IS LOCATED ON 16TH STREET, AND AFTER SO MANY YEARS, IT NOW NEEDS SIGNIFICANT WORK. ORGANIZERS CELEBRATED THE START OF THE RENOVATIONS TODAY, INCLUDING BUILDING AN INDIGENOUS STUDIES LIBRARY, A COMPUTER LAB, ART STUDIO, GYM, AND EDUCATIONAL SPACES. GRANT FUNDING FROM SACRAMENTO COUNTY IS MAKING THESE IMPROVEMENTS POSSIBLE. THIS IS SUCH A MOMENTOUS MOMENT. THIS HAS BEEN DECADES OF WORK, DECADES OF INDIVIDUALS POURING THEIR LOVE AND ENERGY INTO THIS SPACE. THIS GRANT ALONE TOOK US SEVERAL YEARS JUST TO BE ABLE TO GET IT TO THIS POINT. AND SO IT HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING, AND I HONESTLY CAN’T BELIEVE IT UNTIL IT HAPPENS. BUT IT IS HERE. AND SO WE’RE JUST SO EXCITED FOR WHAT’S TO COME. I HAVE TO TAKE A. ORGANIZERS HOPE TO HAVE KID
Renovations begin at Sacramento’s historic Washington Neighborhood Center
Updated: 9:12 PM PDT Oct 27, 2025
The historic Washington Neighborhood Center in downtown Sacramento is set to undergo significant renovations funded by a Sacramento County grant.Founded in 1952, the center has served the indigenous and Chicano communities for decades and is located on 16th Street. It’s the oldest Chicano cultural center in the city.After many years, it requires significant work, and organizers celebrated the start of these renovations on Monday. The improvements will include the construction of an indigenous studies library, a computer lab, an art studio, a gym, and educational spaces.”This is such a momentous moment,” said Jocelin Hernandez, executive director of the Washington Neighborhood Center. “This has been decades of work, decades of individuals pouring their love and energy into this space. This grant alone took us several years just to be able to get it to this point. And so it has been such a blessing, and I honestly can’t believe it until it happens. But it is here. And so, we’re just so excited for what’s to come.”Organizers hope to have kids in programming and the facilities ready to go by next spring.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The historic Washington Neighborhood Center in downtown Sacramento is set to undergo significant renovations funded by a Sacramento County grant.
Founded in 1952, the center has served the indigenous and Chicano communities for decades and is located on 16th Street. It’s the oldest Chicano cultural center in the city.
After many years, it requires significant work, and organizers celebrated the start of these renovations on Monday.
The improvements will include the construction of an indigenous studies library, a computer lab, an art studio, a gym, and educational spaces.
“This is such a momentous moment,” said Jocelin Hernandez, executive director of the Washington Neighborhood Center. “This has been decades of work, decades of individuals pouring their love and energy into this space. This grant alone took us several years just to be able to get it to this point. And so it has been such a blessing, and I honestly can’t believe it until it happens. But it is here. And so, we’re just so excited for what’s to come.”
Organizers hope to have kids in programming and the facilities ready to go by next spring.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel