Video: Despite Huge Commercial Vacancy Rate, City Sees Bright Future

Rohnert Park's business climate has had a tough year: one of the city's oldest businesses, which was also one of the largest employers — — .

Pacific Market , Lattitude closed last winter and the city's official 43 percent commercial vacancy rate looks more like 45 when the 300,000 square-foot State Farm campus is included. In addition, the city has lost more than 1,000 people in the last 10 years according to census data, and the schools when it comes to declining enrollment.

But elected officials and city planners have worked over the last year to brand Rohnert Park as a city that is "friendly" to businesses.

Public policies have been put in place for sewer infrastructure fees, for example, where businesses can instead of one lump payment. Development fees have been restrucured, the City Council passed a loan program for developers who want to and City Manager recently formed a new three-person — in charge of spurring the city's business climate and retaining current businesses.

Sonoma State University economics professor Robert Eyler agrees that the city's economy is in a .

And Ben Stone, who heads the Sonoma County Economic Development Board, said he sees a , that's been pummeled hard in the Great Recession.

The Press Democrat's article, titled "A City in Reverse," published last winter, sparked a rash of criticism — on the city, on city officials and on the article itself. Read that whole thing here.

Despite the gloom and doom, things are happening, say elected officials.

G&C Market last March the former Pacific Market, with construction on their Redwood Drive location and other smaller buisnesses are filling vacant storefronts that pepper the city's shopping centers.

In addition to 24-Hour Fitness — which has been heavily criticized by other gym owners — that's scheduled to open "after Jan. 1" according to project developers, Councilwoman Gina Belforte said new businesses are being attracted to Rohnert Park. Cattleman's recently showed interest in the former Lattitude location, and Chipotle has plans to open up nearby the new 24-Hour Fitness and current Grocery Outlet.

Mayor Jake Mackenzie said at the last city council meeting of the year that there is significant interest being generated for the State Farm property, and the insurance giant is .

Officials also touted the opening of the Green Music Center and the innovations taking place in our back yard, at the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster. Don't miss our video to the right, and hear for yourself what elected officials have to say.