City of Rohnert Park

Rohnert Park Downtown log

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-used 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 (Example here)
Email our City Council your Letter of Intent
Join our Downtown Retailer Interest List
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 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 and Demographics for Downtown

We’re Young

  • 40.4% of young adults (age 25-44) in Sonoma County live in Rohnert Park
  • 26.4% of Bright Young Professionals 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 and 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 and Entertainment Options

  • Two major drivers of economic activity: Graton Resort and Casino and Sonoma State University (6,000+ 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/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 and beyond

Rohnert Park Trade Area
1-3-5 Mile Rings
Rohnert Park "True Trade Area"
Insights based on actual visits
Rohnert Park Trade Area
5-10-20 Minute Drive 
1-3-5 Mile Trade Rings True Trade Area (mobile data) 5-10-20 Minute Drive Time

 

 1-3-5 Trade Ring
By the Numbers
True Trade Area
By the Numbers
 Drive Time Trade Area
By the Numbers
1-3-5 Ring Demographic Data True Trade Area - Demographics Drive Time - Demographic Overivew


City Data

Consumer Expenditure Data

City Snapshot

General information about Rohnert Park for prospective retailers


Call Us: Your Concierge Service
Your success is our success. How can we help?

Whether you are opening a new store or expanding your current operations, please contact our award-winning team to help you grow. Our business-friendly approach from our dedicated staff is ready to provide great service personalized to your needs and committed to your success. Whether you’re a coffee shop, a restauranter, a national brand, or specialty retailer, Rohnert Park’s concierge service can walk you through the entitlement/permitting process, help you obtain a business license, scout space, assist in building your workforce, or put you in touch with one of our many local partners to set you on the road the success.

Contact Now

Paul Carey
Senior Analyst
[email protected]  •  (707) 585-6754

Not ready to chat yet? Browse our processes online:

Development Resources and Fee Schedule

Business License Information

Zoning


Find Other Resources

No one builds success alone. If you’re not finding what you’re looking for here, then check our friendly list of local resources and partners to help you join Rohnert Park.

Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce

Sonoma County Economic Development Board

Sonoma County Job Link for workforce development

Visit Sonoma County (tourism)

Sonoma Small Business Development Center

SCORE North Coast (business mentoring)

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