CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Sunrise Mall is a vital element of Citrus Heights’ economy and community, so in July the Citrus Heights City Council approved a General Plan Amendment that requires the development of a Specific Plan to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive planning effort in the redevelopment of Sunrise Mall.

The language in the General Plan Amendment specifies that the goal is to “transform the Sunrise Mall area into a premier regional destination and a flourishing center of community life where residents and visitors shop, work, live, and play.” In order to reach that goal, Economic Development Manager Meghan Huber said the creation of the Specific Plan will bring together the “owners, stakeholders, and community to envision a viable and successful future at Sunrise Mall.”

At the October 10 City Council meeting, Huber explained that the process will have four parts: market analysis, community outreach, Specific Plan execution, and the environmental impact report (EIR). “It’s an important process,” said Huber, “and it’s important to take it on with the right partner.” Huber said staff reviewed the qualifications of six consultant teams and identified Gensler as the best qualified to assist the City.

An international architecture and planning firm, Gensler is experienced in master planning and turning malls into lifestyle centers. Huber said Gensler would serve as the project manager and provide the lead planning and visioning effort. Gensler also has a robust team of subconsultants including MXD Development Strategists, which will provide market analysis and economic feasibility; De Novo Planning Group, which will be responsible for preparing the EIR; Fehr and Peers, which will handle traffic engineering and transportation concerns; and Mark Thomas, which will oversee the civil engineering. Gensler also agreed to the City’s aggressive timeline of completing the Specific Plan within 18-24 months.

Gensler’s Project Manager Nate Cherry addressed the Council, sharing his excitement about the process: “You’ve got to have a big idea that people can understand and get behind.” Cherry said the Specific Plan will make Citrus Heights competitive with other cities in the region by creating a retail, entertainment, wellness, and lifestyle space. Cherry said onsite affordable housing would “provide villagers where you’re hoping to create a village.” And with climate change presenting significant challenges, Cherry said there are opportunities for “making streets greener, integrating green spaces, [and creating] more sustainable land-use patterns.”

The budget for the contract with Gensler is $1,208,885, and funding for the project will come from various sources: $310,000 from the SB2 Planning Grant, $440,000 from the Sewer Credit Program, $350,000 from Development Fund 330, and $108,885 from the General Fund 2021/2022 budget — with staff looking for alternative funding sources over the next two years.

During public comment, one local resident spoke in opposition to adopting the Gensler contract. He felt that the contract should have been made available for at least a month so the public had time to review it and provide written comments. He expressed concern that residents won’t be informed about opportunities to participate in the process: “Too many people in our community only find out about things afterwards. And we have an obligation to make sure everyone knows in advance when there will be opportunities for public input.”

Another resident spoke in support of the contract, praising Gensler’s vision for the Sunrise Mall Specific Plan. “I want to volunteer. I want to be on that committee,” he said.

Vice Mayor Jeff Slowey said that over the last 10 years the mall has had many different owners with many different ideas, “but none have come to fruition. At this point, we have to step in, engage the community, spend some money, come up with our own plan. … I’m 100% ready to move forward.”

Councilmember Bret Daniels said, “This is a very big deal. … We don’t exist without Sunrise Mall. There’s no Citrus Heights City today without Sunrise Mall, and so the future of Citrus Heights could also pin … on what happens at Sunrise Mall.” Daniels also expressed hope that the Pop-Up Stadium idea could be revived.

Councilmember Steve Miller explained that “the ownership group is the one that’s going to have to buy into this and put the money up. It’s their money at risk. But we want to create an environment, an incubator, that will help them realize the biggest potential out of this property. … I’m looking forward to this process.”

Mayor Jeannie Bruins said, “I think we have to have vision. … I think this is an exciting opportunity. We have 100 acres here right in the middle of our business district to create something that otherwise we would not have had the opportunity to do.”

Mayor Bruins called for a vote on the resolution, and the Council unanimously approved the contract to utilize Gensler’s professional services in the creation of the Sunrise Mall Specific Plan.