A Past for the Present
Old Sacramento Historic District Oral History Project
Interview History for Oral History of
Ted Leonard
Interviewer: Lisa C. Prince
Interview Date: September 11, 2007 (TAPE 3 & 4)
Interview Location: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center, Sacramento,
California
Biographical Information: Theodore R. (Ted) Leonard was born in Seattle Washington.
He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Architecture and
Urban Planning. He had a private architectural firm in Bellevue, Washington, until 1974,
when he came to Sacramento after being recruited by the Sacramento Housing and
Redevelopment Agency. Leonard was the Agency Architect and Project Director for Old
Sacramento from 1974 – 1998. He also worked on various regional urban renewal
projects, which include the historic town of Locke and the Alkali Flats neighborhood in
Sacramento, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After his
retirement from the Agency in 1998, the City of Sacramento retained his services as
redevelopment consultant.
Subjects Discussed: Dual role as Agency Architect and Project Director, two types of
projects: Agency and private, private sector driven by economics, city Planning and
Building Departments, review and approval process for restoration, reconstruction,
rehabilitation of buildings, maintaining the historic landmark designation, Old
Sacramento’s isolation, Freeway I -5, American River Parkway, Sacramento unique in
urban renewal projects, significance of Old Sacramento, Tax Act of 1976, Bicentennial,
waterfront projects, Globe construction and demise, Redevelopment Agency source of
funds for city, working relationships, Archaeological project on 5th, 6th, I and J Streets,
bureaucratic obstacles.
Context Notes: Lisa C. Prince transcribed, edited, and audited the interview. Minor
editing was done to remove false starts, redundant crutch words, or verbal tics, only if
they did not alter the narrator’s intention. There is some background noise from Leonard
tapping the table with his fingers to make a point. Interview concludes abruptly.
Tape and Interview Records: the original audiocassette tape recording, user copy, and full
transcript of the interview are held at the Center for Sacramento History, Sacramento,
California.