Politics & Government
Rohnert Park To Buy Land For Future Downtown
The city's $12.5 million offer was accepted one week ago on a 30-acre parcel of land.
ROHNERT PARK, CA — Rohnert Park city officials are taking a big step toward a future downtown.
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 was set to take formal action on the purchase at a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.
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"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.
Find out what's happening in Rohnert Park-Cotatifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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."
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