A plaza of its own
Rohnert Park hopes civic center will be new hub
Dominick Da Silva, 3, left, and Nathan Morris, 4, play on one of the two water features at Rohnert Park's new City Center Plaza on Monday.
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / The Press DemocratPublished: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 at 10:34 p.m.
Rohnert Park, a city with no discernible downtown or central business district, has opened a civic center plaza that it hopes will become a community gathering spot.
“It is similar to what you have in Sonoma with its plaza, Windsor with its town green and Healdsburg with its square — a place where people could look to have community events,” said Ron Bendorff, the city community development director.
City Center Plaza is adjacent to the public safety building and the library, three-quarters of an acre filled with benches, a fountain, water spout for children and a small lawn area.
The $3.1 million cost was funded by a state grant and redevelopment funds. It was opened Saturday with a festival that drew 1,000 people.
“It’s pretty. It’s nice. It is a nice addition to the city,” said Pat Candau, a 23-year Rohnert Park resident who was checking out City Center Plaza on Monday.
Brian Petro of Rohnert Park had his three children playing in the water fountains on Monday. “It’s a good place to cool off,” said Petro.
But whether it will become a community gathering spot, he was not sure. “I think time will tell. There is no downtown and this is not a downtown, either,” Petro said.
City officials hope the new civic center will spark development of restaurants and retail in the adjacent Arbors and CentreVille housing developments, where about 350 people live above ground-level business spaces.
“I have heard a lot of the office buildings need more things for workers to walk to during lunch,” said Dan Schwarz, interim city manager. “Our hope is the plaza serves that as well and stimulates the local businesses.”
It is also envisioned that the plaza will become a site for a farmers market, wine and art festival and concerts.
“It’s wonderful to have that space for people to come for recreation and entertainment,” said Nancy Kleban, the library manager. “I do see it has potential.”
You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.
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