Downtown Roseville Revitalization Expects to Create 400 Jobs

Downtown Roseville will soon get a facelift.
Roseville Councilmembers voted in favor of moving forward with Downtown Roseville revitalization - a $37 million undertaking that is expected to create about 400 new long- and short-term jobs.

The plan includes completing 13 projects within three years. Of the plans, one of the top priorities is the Town Square, creating a square bordered by Oak, Grant and Vernon streets, adjacent to the . The plan includes an interactive water fountain, event amenities such as a stage and will be a place used for year-round events.
Kevin Payne, assistant planning and redevelopment director with the City of Roseville, told councilmembers that this revitalization would essentially double the existing development in Downtown Roseville.
“By investing in the downtown, we will be positioned for a renaissance once the economy improves,” Payne said. “This renaissance will be accomplished by providing infrastructure to support approximately 800,000 square feet of new development in the Vernon Street area.”

Funding from these downtown projects will come from sources outside of the General Fund, Payne said. Remaining redevelopment agency bond funds and project savings, public and fire facility funds, grant fund allocations and strategic improvement funds will be the primary funding sources, Payne said. Additionally, the city is looking into a lease/leaseback program for flexibly financing.
“This allows for the city to contract with an outside development company that secures the financing for the improvements,” Payne said.
Business owners, residents and developers shared their support with the downtown revitalization.
owner Scott Alvord said Downtown Roseville is full of history, culture and some of the city’s most unique businesses, but lacks foot traffic.
“That (Town Square) is a visible draw to this community,” he said. “By building that … that’s going to bring people downtown. This plaza’s going to bring down thousands of people for the events.”
Former councilman Jim Gray said he was excited for these plans.
“This downtown is the heart of Roseville,” Gray said. “This is where we do things, downtown. This is where we hold all of our events, where people from all over the city come to. This is our future and I think it is very critical to our future that we have a very active, vital and vibrant downtown.”
Wendy Gerig, chief executive officer of the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce, echoed Gray’s comments.
“I want this to happen for Roseville,” she said. “We deserve it and when we have the infrastructure in place, we’ll see those catalyst projects be shovel ready, we’ll see the time for the Town Square to be built, we will see new businesses coming in ...”
Councilmembers voted 4-0 in favor of the Downtown Specific Plan public imporvement projects. Vice Mayor Susan Rohan was not present for the meeting.

Top priorities of the Downtown Specific Plan improvement projects:

• Town Square
• Phase I utility improvements
• Old Town parking (surface lots)
• Fire station land acquisition
• Sewer line relocation study completed
• Complete bridge designs

Other priority projects (within three years):

• Relocate fire administration and IT
• Construct fire station
• Construct library bridge
• Relocate Icehouse Bridge
• Construct pedestrian bridge
• Position catalyst sites to be “shovel ready”