North Bay Business Journal

Group sues Petaluma over approval of Regency shopping center

PETALUMA — A group opposed to the East Washington Place regional shopping center project has sued the city of Petaluma, asking for the City Council’s early February project approvals to be set aside and a new round of environmental-impact analysis be conducted because of alleged lapses in following the California Environmental Quality Act.

Target renews interest in San Rafael

SAN RAFAEL — After tabling plans nearly a year ago for a new 137,000-square-foot department store, Target Corp. now wants to move forward with a reconfigured version of the east San Rafael project.

Construction: Whole Foods finishing Marin, to start Santa Rosa

Also: Yountville’s Bardessono earns top LEED award

Larkspur Landing center to get facelift

LARKSPUR — The new owner of Larkspur Landing Shopping Center, now called Marin Country Mart, is planning a $5 million renovation next year designed to restore the property’s rural Marin look and mostly retail configuration.

San Rafael approves Mi Pueblo

SAN RAFAEL — The San Rafael City Council unanimously denied two appeals against a proposed Mi Pueblo Foods Center ethnic-flavored grocery store. The San Jose-based grocer plans to open that location by early next year.

The City Council on Monday voted 5-0 against appeals of the May 20 city Zoning Administrator approval of the 36,000-square-foot store in the former Circuit City building at 330 Bellam Blvd.

Novato Grant Avenue facade program draws 11 applicants

NOVATO – In the three months since the Novato Redevelopment Agency launched the Grant Avenue Facade Development Program, applications for improvements to 11 storefronts in that downtown commercial corridor have used up the $150,000 in matching redevelopment funds the City Council approved for the program.

Construction: Santa Rosa rejects Lowe’s, Vallejo OKs one; Smart & Final puts land up for sale

The Santa Rosa City Council voted 5-2 against a proposed Lowe’s Home Improvement store at an industrial site on Yolanda Avenue amid questions about the environmental impact of the project and the potential to hurt local business. At the Sept. 1 council hearing, several leaders of major businesses in the city advocated opposition to the proposal.

‘Rural life’ chain Tractor Supply sets Windsor store

WINDSOR – The largest chain of farm and ranch stores in the U.S. is making a push into Sonoma County with a planned store in Windsor.

Target Corp. stalls San Rafael store

SAN RAFAEL — Target Corp. has delayed plans for a 137,000-square-foot store in San Rafael’s Shoreline Center as the department store chain scales back planned store openings, but the retailer continues to pursue a location in a proposed Petaluma shopping center.

RETAIL: Hamilton Marketplace, Novato

Forward-thinking developers are including fountains, sculpture, fine art, historical murals and displays depicting local points of interest to attract consumers as well as environmental assets to increase customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business. Hamilton Marketplace at 5800 Nave Drive in Novato is a good example of this new breed.

G&C expects to start Windsor building

SANTA ROSA — G&C AutoBody plans to start construction this year on a $4 million repair facility to serve northern Sonoma County and is finishing a $4.7 million addition that doubles the size of the flagship shop in Santa Rosa.

Novato shopping center to get $7 million overhaul

NOVATO — The 40-year-old Pacheco Plaza neighborhood shopping center is set to get a $7 million overhaul starting next month to prepare the property for a new anchor tenant when the current anchor, a Safeway grocery store, prepares to relocate in late August to a development on the east side of the highway.