North Bay’s Rohnert Park Buys Land for $12.5 Million to Build Brand New Downtown

Rohnert Park city officials are taking a big step toward a future downtown. The city aims to fulfill residents’ long-standing desire for an inviting, walkable downtown that will become the heart of the City.

The city’s $12.5 million offer was accepted one week ago on a 30-acre parcel of land at the corner of Rohnert Park Expressway and State Farm Drive. The city council will take formal action on the purchase at a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

“This is a bold step toward creating downtown Rohnert Park,” said Mayor Jackie Elward in a news release city officials issued Tuesday morning. “With this purchase, we are taking charge of our destiny.” The most recent appraisal from August 2021 valued the property at $20 million if it were developed consistent with the current approvals and entitlements, according to the city’s statement.

A surplus in the city’s general fund and cash on hand would fund the purchase, according to the news release, which added that the city also could obtain grains to offset some of the costs. “We’ve been working for a downtown for years,” Councilmember Pam Stafford. “We’ve approved plans and built infrastructure, and we’re still waiting. The time has come to blaze our own path.”

The downtown may include a combination of market-rate and affordable housing, recreational uses such as a plaza, independent restaurants, and some retail and office space. A hotel is a key component. Building the downtown will likely occur in phases, starting with housing. The city does not have a timeline in place at this time, but this project is one of the City’s top priorities.

Read more at the City of Rohnert Park.

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