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SSU to receive $45M windfall Sonoma State is changing budget outlooks faster than college freshmen change majors. The struggling state university, which announced $24 million in budget cuts last January, is now set to receive $45 million in one-time funds from the state. The bonanza will support at least some of the athletics, degree programs and staff positions on the chopping block since the controversial cuts were announced. Portions of the funds will also be focused toward construction of a new career center, expanding the nursing program, launching a student recruitment campaign and creating new degree options for students. The announcement did not specify which existing programs and positions would be spared from elimination, though some will go toward “helping fund Sonoma State’s athletics program over the next few years.” The funds are part of what’s being called the Sonoma State Commitment initiative, announced June 24 by state Senators Mike McGuire and Christopher Cabaldon, and Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Damon Connolly and Chris Rogers.— JW
Work begins on 75-unit affordable housing project in Roseland Ground broke this spring on the Casa Roseland project, a 75-unit affordable housing development in the Roseland area of Santa Rosa. The apartments—a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—will serve families with incomes of up to 30 to 60% of Area Median Income, which is currently $29,050 to $82,980, depending on household size, according to the county. District 3 Supervisor Chris Coursey, who represents the Roseland area, described the project as an important step in mitigating the area’s affordable housing crisis. “This investment will pay dividends many times over,” Coursey said at the groundbreaking. Casa Roseland is part of Tierra de Rosas, a community-led effort to improve the Roseland neighborhood’s economy, housing opportunity and overall community wellbeing. MidPen Housing, a Foster City-based affordable housing developer with several Sonoma County projects under its belt, was selected by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission to develop Tierra de Rosas which, in addition to affordable housing, will include market-rate housing, a civic-use building and a 10,000-square-foot mercado. Casa Roseland will include a community room, learning center, teen room, bike storage and laundry facilities, as well as approximately 1,600 square feet of outdoor space including a landscaped barbecue area and children’s play area. The architect is Van Meter Williams Pollack LLP and the general contractor is Devcon Construction, Inc. Construction is expected to be complete in summer 2026.— JW
Sutter Health opens new Rohnert Park care center Sutter Health opened its new 17,000-square-foot care center in Rohnert Park this spring. The 6000 State Farm Drive campus includes 16 primary care exam rooms, eight for urgent care and two procedure rooms, staffed by seven primary care physicians, along with advanced practice clinicians, nurses and support staff, according to a Sutter announcement. Its new campus on State Farm Drive was formerly a Pac Bell call center. Sutter invested nearly $17 million in creating the new facility. The eight-month project was led by Layton Construction. Family medicine providers from Sutter’s 5300 Snyder Lane location have already transitioned to the new campus. The Rohnert Park Care Center is one of the first in a plan to open 19 urgent care locations across Northern California by 2028, the medical group said. Dr. Michael Magnotti, CEO of Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods, says investing in Rohnert Park allows Sutter to offer greater access to its health care services in the North Bay. “Having imaging and lab services on-site is a big benefit, as it means faster results for both patients and clinicians, helping them make informed decisions more quickly,” he said in the announcement. Sutter’s next-closest location is Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital at 30 Mark West Springs Road. The Rohnert Park Care Center also offers osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), X-ray, CT and ultrasound imaging and on- site lab testing. Its urgent care will allow for walk-in treatment and hold extended hours and weekend availability.— NBb
12 NorthBaybiz
July 2025
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