Info for Retailers

Why Downtown Rohnert Park

We're Young. We're Centrally Located. We Have Money to Spend.

The City of Rohnert Park is in the early phases of developing a city-owned, 28-acre, mixed-use parcel along the SMART rail line. Designed to evolve Rohnert Park into a premier local hub, this vibrant downtown will be anchored by a residential community with market rate and affordable housing and highlighted by commercial uses focused on local and regional merchants and restaurateurs, a signature boutique hospitality venue, a central community space, and seamless connections to regional transit and the surrounding community. Our vision is an engaging regional gathering space centered around people and experiences.

Want to be a part of our new downtown? The City of Rohnert Park released a Request for Qualifications to find a developer to build this mixed-use development. Let the developers know your interest in bringing your business to the future downtown. Join our downtown retailer interest list or fill out a letter of interest and send it to the Rohnert Park City Council.

• Download the Letter of Intent template (DOCX) 
  • See an example (DOCX)
• Email our City Council your Letter of Intent
• Email our Downtown Division to let us know you're like to join our Downtown Retailer Interest List

Statistics

• 400 housing units proposed
• 65,000 square feet of retail recommended
• 86,000 daily vehicle trips
• 67,162 monthly train ridership

Join Downtown Rohnert Park

Park Your Retail Business in the Friendly City

Rohnert Park is ready to champion your business and provide award-winning service to help your company expand in the Friendly City. Our business-first philosophy has served companies big and small, national and local, for decades, all done with the guiding principle of granting our residents the good life of living in the center of Sonoma wine country. Our staff is here to help you find your preferred location, connect you with local communities and businesses, and showcase your business to audiences regional and worldwide.

Targeted Segments for Growth

The City of Rohnert Park welcomes anyone interested in finding a space in Rohnert Park; however, we have identified specific sectors that the City has the most need to fill today. If you are in one of the below sectors and looking to expand, give us a call to see how we can help you park your business here:

• Apparel (Family, Men's, Women's)
• Dining (Casual, Independent, Fine)
• Department Stores, Electronics, and Grocers
• Service Stations (Gas and Electric)
• Specialty and Hobby Stores

Read the Gibbs Planning Group 2022 Retail Study (PDF) to review the retail analysis of this site! The Gibbs Report analyzed the city's potential downtown commercial center as if it was designed and built as a compact, walkable, integrated mixed-use center, implementing best-in-class architecture, public realm, urbanism, street, parking and retail management best practices.

Key Facts & Demographics for Downtown

We're Young

• 40.4% of young adults (age 25 to 44) in Sonoma County live in Rohnert Park
• 26.4% of the Bright Young Professionals (PDF) segment make up Rohnert Park's population, according to ESRI Tapestry Segmentation
• Median Age: 36.1

We're Centrally Located

• Easy access to all of Sonoma County and centrally located along Highways 101 and 12, with a SMART rail station that serves the Sonoma County rail county, as far north as Santa Rosa Airport and as far south as Larkspur Landing and San Francisco.
• 50 miles north of San Francisco (60 miles from SFO); 14 miles south of Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport; 22 miles from either of the City of Sonoma and City of Healdsburg
• Two-mile bike ride to/from Sonoma State University along dedicated bike paths
• Adjacent to Raley's and Safeway shopping centers
• 86,000 daily vehicle trips to Central Rohnert Park

We Have Money to Spend

• $1.4B in consumer annual spending / $366.2M by local consumers
• 1.7% growth rate for those making $100K to $149K is among the highest in Sonoma County
• Average Home Value (2023): $644,897
• Median Income: $99,300. Disposable Median Income: $71,700

Downtown Ingredients

• Up to 160,000 square feet of new retail space (65,000 square feet recommended)
• Up to 120,000 square feet of new office space
• 25% affordable housing
• 128-key upscale hotel
• 1.5-acre community square
• 4,280 units within one-half mile

Shovel-Ready Capacity & Use

• 28.38 acres, zoned for mixed-use
• CEQA approved with environmental impact report
• Streamlined review/approval process
• Form-based code regulations
• Certified as California Exempt Surplus Land (25% affordable housing)

Major Local Destinations & Entertainment Options

• Two major drivers of economic activity: Graton Resort and Casino and Sonoma State University (6,000-plus student population)
• Two performing art centers: The Green Music Center (approx. 135,000 visitors per year) and the city-owned Spreckels Performing Arts Center (20,000 visitors per year)

Major Retailers

• Amy's Drive Thru
• Ashley Home Store
• Costco
• Home Depot
• In N' Out
• Office Depot
• Petsmart
• Raley's Grocery
• Scandia Family Fun Center
• Sportsman's Warehouse
• Target
• Walmart
• Walmart Neighborhood Market

Major Trade Areas for Sonoma County & Beyond