SET TO START AT THE HISTORIC WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. IT’S THE OLDEST CHICANO CULTURAL CENTER IN SACRAMENTO, FOUNDED 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 NEEDS SIGNIFICANT WORK. ORGANIZERS CELEBRATED THE START OF THOSE RENOVATIONS YESTERDAY, 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 WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT. ORGANIZERS HOPE TO HAVE KIDS IN PROGRAMING A
Historic Washington Neighborhood Center in downtown Sacramento set for major renovations
The Washington Neighborhood Center in downtown Sacramento, the oldest Chicano cultural center in the city, is set to undergo significant renovations thanks to grant funding from Sacramento County.
Updated: 3:28 PM PDT Oct 29, 2025
The historic Washington Neighborhood Center in downtown Sacramento is set to undergo much-needed rehabilitation, including the addition of new facilities and educational spaces, thanks to grant funding from Sacramento County.”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.”The center, located on 16th Street, is the oldest Chicano cultural center in Sacramento and has a decades-long history of service to Indigenous and Chicano community members since its founding in 1952. Over the years, however, it has come to need significant work. Organizers celebrated the start of those renovations Monday, which will include building an ethnic studies library, a computer lab, art studio, gym, educational spaces and commercial kitchen. Rehabilitation will also include plumbing, lighting, HVAC and energy upgrades. “We’re just so excited for what’s to come,” Hernandez said.Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. Organizers hope to launch new program and facilities by Spring 2026.Donations to the project can be made here. 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 much-needed rehabilitation, including the addition of new facilities and educational spaces, thanks to grant funding from Sacramento County.
“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.”
The center, located on 16th Street, is the oldest Chicano cultural center in Sacramento and has a decades-long history of service to Indigenous and Chicano community members since its founding in 1952.
Over the years, however, it has come to need significant work. Organizers celebrated the start of those renovations Monday, which will include building an ethnic studies library, a computer lab, art studio, gym, educational spaces and commercial kitchen. Rehabilitation will also include plumbing, lighting, HVAC and energy upgrades.
“We’re just so excited for what’s to come,” Hernandez said.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. Organizers hope to launch new program and facilities by Spring 2026.
Donations to the project can be made here.
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