After years of waiting and drivers by reading a “Coming Soon” sign at the corner of Douglas Road and Sunrise Boulevard, the retail shopping plaza is well and truly on its way to opening. The commercial development known as Sunridge Plaza, located at the southwest corner of the intersection will offers shoppers around 92,000 square feet of retail and a 40,000 square foot Raley’s.

The 13.5 acre site has never been developed before, so architects and builders worked in conjunction with City of Rancho Cordova departments to generate the right feel and aesthetics for the burgeoning neighborhoods that are also being created in the newer developing areas of Rancho Cordova. The project screeched to a halt due to the housing and economic bust that led to California’s deep recession, but the City has seen significant turnaround as the economy has recovered and grown. Rancho Cordova City Councilmember David Sander said, “Sunridge Plaza has also become a catalyst for new development. The City has seen significant movement in the nearby area as a result of the center’s progress.”

The lengthy process of development began in earnest with the public announcement of pending construction back in 2015. Grading plans, frontage and on site improvements had to be approved, followed by building permits and the selection and approval of initial businesses to occupy the space. “The City of Rancho Cordova is excited to see construction moving forward on the Sunridge Plaza Shopping Center,” remarked Sander. “Sunridge Plaza will provide amenities and shopping options within a short walking, biking, and driving distance for nearby residents. Many new businesses have decided to locate in the center, and we look forward to seeing what additional businesses select Rancho Cordova as their home.”

With numerous master planned communities popping up along the Sunrise Boulevard corridor, there will soon be thousands of families and businesses in need of convenient shopping, and the City of Rancho Cordova continues to nurture the businesses that are moving into place to meet those needs.

While Sunridge retail space seems to be filling at a brisk pace, according to the City of Rancho Cordova, the City offers a business fee assistance program which can provide some economic assistance. “The City of Rancho Cordova has a business fee assistance program that provides funds to assist businesses to locate in vacant, underutilized space throughout the City. The program is made possible by a grant from the City of Rancho Cordova’s Community Enhancement Fund. Donahue Schriber Realty Group, a commercial real estate developer, received $332,334 as part of the program to support the building and development fees for construction of the new Sunridge Plaza Shopping Center.”

The Raley’s under construction to include:

• Deli
• Bakery
• Fresh hot foods, including a Taco Bar
• Expanded wine, liquor and produce departments
• Expanded produce department
• Café seating area with USB charging stations
• Self-checkouts
• E-Cart department
• Service meat and service seafood department
• Sushi
• Floral department
• Coffee and Espresso

“The City of Rancho Cordova provided a business incentive to help bring the Sunridge Plaza Shopping Center and accompanying Raley's to fruition," said Economic Development Director Curt Haven. “Sunridge Plaza will grow our vibrant community by bringing roughly 30 new businesses and 150 new jobs to Rancho Cordova. The shopping center will provide an upscale atmosphere for the community to meet, dine and shop.”