The Abridged version:
- The project could make the fast-growing suburb a “destination center,” according to city manager Micah Runner.
- Rancho Cordova City Council voted unanimously in favor of partnering with the developers to spur momentum for the project.
- The new center is estimated to have $4.5 billion in economic output over the course of 12 years.
Rancho Cordova leaders have their eyes set on creating a central, walkable downtown area that would be centered around a new sports arena in the works.
Developers debuted plans for a new city center project, dubbed Downtown Dova, at the Rancho Cordova City Council meeting on Tuesday night.
The council voiced unanimous support, and approved an economic development and participation agreement with local developers Joshua Wood and Charanjeet Tiwana-Purewal and their company KozPure Development, LLC.
The new city center project is planned for 28 acres of land near Sunrise Boulevard and Highway 50. Initial plans include:
- A 7,500-seat sports arena
- At least two hotels with a total of 800 rooms
- 640 residential units
- A public plaza
- A retail and dining district with 145,000 square feet of space
Mayor sees Rancho Cordova becoming true destination
“It’s not just some place to drive through; now Rancho Cordova will be a place to drive to,” said Mayor Siri Pulipati.
Pulipati has lived in Rancho Cordova for 23 years, predating it’s incorporation as a city in 2003. During that time she’s seen it shift from an place with sparse grocery stores to a place that consistently ranks among the fastest-growing cities in California.
Rancho Cordova was the fifth-fastest growing city in California last year, adding 2,614 residents to bring its population to 85,451, according to the California Department of Finance.
“In a short time we’ve built a strong economy with so many new families and young families,” Pulipati said. “For all of these families, for those who have been here awhile, this is just a breath of fresh air. This project is the start of something bigger.”
Micah Runner, city manager for Rancho Cordova, admitted that the name Downtown Dova is “built a little more on aspiration than what’s existing.”
“As we grow and mature as a city we want to create these new places,” Runner said.
Project aims to bring entertainment options to city center
The project is poised to bring more entertainment options and economic development. A market study found that the new district could have an economic output of $4.5 billion over the course of 12 years.
“It’s transforming our job center to become more of a destination center that includes jobs and entertainment and activity, and for our own community that they don’t have to go to other places to enjoy these things,” Runner said.
The developers are beginning to purchase land around the project site, and are requesting that the city donate a 13-acre piece of vacant land it owns at 2875 Kilgore Rd. The city is also considering a revenue sharing model with the site, where the city would front the cost of some infrastructure in return for increased property values and taxes at the site.
Soccer games would be the flagship events held at the new arena.
Two major indoor soccer teams already have sights on hosting events at the planned arena. Major Arena Soccer League said earlier this week it plans to expand its league with new women’s and men’s teams in Rancho Cordova.
Concert promoter Midnight Events has also voiced interest in bringing up to 40 events per year to the site, according to Runner. Midnight Events specializes in promoting DJs and electronic dance music festivals.
“We’re just really excited about the opportunity to do something new and interesting and provide a different level of excitement into Rancho Cordova,” Runner said.
Felicia Alvarez is a reporter at Abridged covering accountability. She’s called Sacramento home since 2015 and has reported on government, health care and breaking news topics for both local and national news outlets.