History
2009: Where are we now?
The City's Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) is currently out for review and public comment. Our goal is to have the project approved by the end of the year so that we may start construction in 2010. During the 18 month construction period the project will provide 388 construction jobs. The projected opening date for Target would be Fall of 2011. The project will be “green” using sustainable building practices and designs. Features will include the use of solar power, efficient energy systems, native landscaping and efficient water use, recycled materials, and other important innovations. The project has been registered with the United States Green Building Council for LEED certification. More than $2 million in annual sales and property tax revenue along with 600 retail jobs for the benefit of the community will be generated by this project.
2008: New General Plan
In May the City adopted the new General Plan which assumed that the East Washington Place project would include 230 residential units and approximately 300,000 square feet of retail. However, after listening to recommendations from City officials and public comments, several changes were made to the Target and East Washington Place project including the removal of the housing. With the housing removed the project will have less traffic and will use less water.
2007: Draft Environmental Impact Report
The City is now in its fourth year of study of the proposed Target project called East Washington Place. Last summer, after analysis of the studies, City officials recommended changes to the project, primarily the removal of housing because they did not want new housing next to Highway 101.
2006: Regency Helps Build New Little League Fields
Regency provided more than $100,000 and worked with Petaluma National Little League parents and the Petaluma Unified School District to design new fields and improvements for the underutilized fields at Petaluma Junior High School. Regency has provided and funded the water and use of the existing Little League fields during the past four years while awaiting City approval for Target and the retail center. Once approved, the new youth baseball facilities will be built with funds provided by Regency.
2006: Working with the Community
Petaluma police, Petaluma SWAT, the K-9 Unit, and Search and Rescue team were encouraged to use the old school buildings for training drills. In addition, local fire departments used the property for simulated fires and drills critical to important life safety and training exercises.
2005: Construction Delays at New Kenilworth
Due to unavoidable delays, the new Kenilworth gym and cafeteria were not completed in time for the new school year. According to their contract with Regency, the school district would have owed $625,000 to stay at the old site. Regency, in good faith and in support of Petaluma schools, waived the payment and encouraged the school district to use the facilities as long as they needed. The new, state-of-the-art “green” school opened five months later with thanks and praise for Regency at the Grand Opening.
2004: Target Application Submitted to the City of Petaluma
The project was proposed to the City for a Target-anchored, mixed-use retail center with an integrated housing component. The idea was to have infill housing near shopping and the downtown using smart growth principles to avoid development pushing outside city boundaries.
2004: Regency Purchases the Old Kenilworth Property
After the assurances and encouragement from the City that it wanted a Target project, Regency purchased the former Kenilworth property and the school district quickly began construction on the new school. The quick purchase allowed the school district to utilize millions in state funding toward the construction of the new school.
2004: Schools and City Ask for Financial Assistance
Petaluma City Schools and the City of Petaluma government officials asked Regency to purchase the old Kenilworth Jr. High School property so they could build the new Junior High to provide a better learning and teaching environment. The City also explained the shortage of some retail categories in Petaluma and the need for sales tax dollars to stay in the City of Petaluma to pay for important public services such as police, fire, and fixing potholes and city streets. City officials said a Target-anchored retail center at the old Kenilworth property would be a win-win situation for Petaluma.
2003: City of Petaluma Commissions a Retail Leakage Study
In 2003 the City of Petaluma commissioned its own study that proved a majority of Petaluma residents are shopping outside of town for many of their key shopping needs. The study showed 57% of respondents do a majority of their shopping in other cities causing the City of Petaluma to “leak” nearly $200 million in retail sales annually and with it, the sales tax revenue for city services and infrastructure. The study proved people leave town to go to stores like Target and other retail offerings to shop for items such as clothing, electronics, music, sporting goods, and toys, contributing to more traffic on 101, more money spent on gas, and a loss of valuable time. In order to stop the loss of retail sales, the City identified the old Kenilworth Junior High School property as the optimal location for community-serving retail.