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Rancho Cordova Eyes Family-Friendly Downtown Transformation

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 10:47 GMT by CBS News

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Rancho Cordova Hopes to Turn Its Downtown into a Family‑Friendly Hub

The city of Rancho Cordova, a suburb north of Sacramento that has enjoyed steady growth for more than a decade, is turning its attention to one question that many residents keep asking: “Where can our kids eat, play, and enjoy a night out as a family?” In a recent CBS Sacramento feature titled Rancho Cordova wants more family entertainment/dining options, city officials and community members outline a bold plan to turn the town’s downtown core into a bustling, kid‑friendly destination. The article, which draws on interviews with local residents, council members, and the city’s own development office, explains why the push is gaining momentum and what it could look like in the coming years.

1. A Growing Need for Family‑Friendly Options

Rancho Cordova’s population climbed from 56,000 in 2010 to over 70,000 today, largely due to new housing developments along the I‑80 corridor. The town’s demographic shift has brought a younger, family‑oriented crowd that values convenient, high‑quality dining and entertainment. Yet, unlike many neighboring cities that boast multiple “family‑friendly” restaurants and a range of activities for children, Rancho Cordova has only a handful of sit‑down eateries, a single movie theater, and a few parks.

“We’re a family town, but our downtown is still a bit of a blank slate when it comes to family entertainment,” says resident Laura Martinez, whose two children are both in elementary school. “We want a place where we can have a nice dinner, maybe catch a movie, and let the kids play without having to drive to another city.”

The CBS piece notes that a recent city survey—shared on the Rancho Cordova Community Development Department’s website—showed that 82 % of respondents would support new family‑oriented dining venues, and 76 % wanted more local entertainment options such as family‑friendly theaters or indoor play spaces. The data, the article points out, mirrors trends seen in other rapidly expanding suburban communities, where a lack of local amenities can push families to leave for more developed urban centers.

2. City Council’s “Vision 2030” Plan

The article’s core revolves around the city’s newly drafted “Vision 2030” plan, which the council unveiled last month during a public hearing. The plan—available in full on the city’s official website—lays out a phased approach to transforming downtown into a “community hub” that offers:

• Mixed‑use development: Rezoning certain blocks to allow larger dining establishments and entertainment venues (e.g., a family‑friendly theater or a 3‑D indoor park).
• Green space enhancements: Adding a new park with a playground, picnic areas, and a splash pad that would double as a venue for community festivals.
• Infrastructure upgrades: Improving street lighting, adding bike lanes, and expanding public parking to support increased foot traffic.
• Cultural events: A year‑long calendar of family festivals, movie nights, and food truck rallies that would provide recurring entertainment without the need for large, permanent venues.

Councilmember John Hanlon explains that the Vision 2030 strategy is “a collaborative effort between the city, developers, and community groups,” and that the city is actively seeking private investment to fund the mixed‑use projects. He also notes that the city is in the process of applying for a state economic development grant that could cover up to $2 million of infrastructure costs.

The plan’s emphasis on mixed‑use development is particularly noteworthy. By encouraging developers to build structures that combine restaurants, retail, and entertainment under one roof, the city hopes to create a vibrant “town square” vibe that can attract both residents and visitors. The article references a recent interview with the mayor, who said the city’s goal is to “make downtown the go‑to place for families, so people don’t have to drive to Sacramento or other nearby cities for a simple night out.”

3. Community and Business Input

The CBS feature spends a significant amount of space on the community feedback process. A town‑hall meeting—held at the Rancho Cordova Public Library on Tuesday—was attended by nearly 200 residents, business owners, and city staff. During the session, attendees were encouraged to submit their ideas and concerns via a digital “voice board” that the city launched in partnership with the Sacramento County Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the most popular suggestions include:

• A “Family Fun Center” that could house a laser‑tag arena, arcade, and a “mini‑café” for kids. Business owner David Kim, who runs a local restaurant, is already exploring a partnership with a regional family‑fun franchise.
• Pop‑up food markets featuring local farmers and food trucks, providing a rotating menu that would keep the dining scene fresh.
• Community theater that could host family‑friendly productions and drama classes for children.

Councilmember Maria Sanchez, who represents the downtown district, emphasized that the city is open to a mix of public and private initiatives. “We want to create an environment that’s both economically viable and truly family‑oriented,” she told the reporters. “That means we’re looking at creative solutions that go beyond traditional restaurants.”

4. A Look Ahead: Funding and Partnerships

While the Vision 2030 plan is still in the early stages, the article highlights that the city is already engaging with several private developers. One partnership under negotiation could see a mixed‑use building on the former parking lot of the city’s municipal office. The developers would provide a sizable portion of the construction costs, while the city would offer incentives such as a reduced sales‑tax rate for the first five years.

The CBS piece also mentions a potential collaboration with the nearby SACCO (Sacramento Area Community Center)—a public facility that already hosts community events. By partnering with SACCO, Rancho Cordova hopes to tap into existing infrastructure to create an indoor play area and hosting space for family events.

Additionally, the city is exploring the possibility of a public‑private partnership (PPP) to finance the expansion of the downtown park. Under the PPP model, a private entity would design, build, and maintain the park, and in return, the city would offer lease agreements or tax incentives. This could accelerate the timeline for the park’s completion, which is projected for late 2025.

5. What Residents Can Do Now

For families looking to get involved right now, the article recommends a few concrete actions:

1. Participate in the “Family‑Friendly Vision Survey” that the City of Rancho Cordova has posted on its website. Your feedback will be a key component of the final plan.
2. Attend upcoming town‑hall meetings—the city’s calendar lists sessions slated for the next six months. These meetings are open to all residents and are a good opportunity to voice concerns or propose ideas.
3. Support local businesses by dining at the existing restaurants in downtown. The more foot traffic the area sees, the more likely the city will consider expanding the dining scene.
4. Volunteer for the “Family‑Friendly Coalition,” a grassroots group that the article says is forming to help push the Vision 2030 plan forward.

6. In Summary

Rancho Cordova’s desire for more family‑friendly entertainment and dining options is a story that mirrors many modern suburban communities. With a clear plan on the table, an engaged council, and a community that’s eager for change, the city could soon transform its downtown into a vibrant, kid‑friendly destination. Whether the Vision 2030 plan will fully materialize remains to be seen, but the groundwork laid out in the CBS Sacramento feature shows that the conversation has started—and that the next few years could bring real change to this growing Sacramento suburb.