Ben van der Meer

It's ok to be skeptical that this site is going to be redeveloped anytime soon, but it won't be because the owners have given up, eight years after first proposing a new use.

Developers ask for another extension on redeveloping former Greyhound station downtown - Sacramento Business Journal The original application was submitted in 2016.

Not my story this week. But Kathy Robertson was one of the best reporters I've ever worked with, and one of the nicest too. That's a rare combination and it's very sad to think she's gone not that longer after she left the BJ.

Former Business Journal health care reporter Kathy Robertson dies at 73 - Sacramento Business Journal "She was a tenacious journalist who never shied away from a controversial story," said a former colleague.

There were rumors about who might be moving into this spot, but I didn't hear any about the group that ultimately looks like it will be:

YMCA taking over former Capital Athletic Club space in Downtown Sacramento - Sacramento Business Journal The previous tenant closed at the end of 2023.

Huge amounts of traffic for this story about a lawsuit involving a prominent state construction project. No idea why no other media apparently picked up on it.

CalSTRS files lawsuit against DPR Construction over West Sac headquarters expansion - Sacramento Business Journal The project was originally supposed to be completed in March 2023, the lawsuit states.

Penryn has never had an affordable project before, but this one is too new to have a rendering. Luckily, i had a photo of the project site from a related story a few months ago.

USA Properties Fund plans first affordable housing project in Penryn - Sacramento Business Journal Land not far from Interstate 80 in the unincorporated Placer County community of Penryn is slated to be the site of the first affordable housing project there.

It never gets old to write a story about a real estate transaction...and then get a press release a couple days later acting like they're breaking some news for you on the same transaction.

Land in Rancho Cordova's Anatolia area sold for commercial use - Sacramento Business Journal The land is already partially developed with retail tenants in place.

Had many, many good conversations with Mr. Strech over the entire time I've been with the Business Journal, he was always thoughtful, reasonable and in a good mood to deal with the press. Sad when you have to write an obituary for someone that, while your relationship was just professional, you genuinely enjoyed interacting with. RIP.

Michael Strech, former North State Building Industry Association CEO, dies at 60 - Sacramento Business Journal Michael Strech led North State BIA for 11 years.

Neighbors of a closed golf course Auburn have really wondered what was going on with it, now there's some answers. Also, at least two friends from high school worked at this course when it was thriving, which tells you how long ago I was in high school!

Auburn Valley golf course owners apply for permit to renovate clubhouse - Sacramento Business Journal The current owners bought the property in late 2021.

Sign of times, almost all my hot stories lately have to do with residential land development and homebuilding.

New Home Co. is first confirmed homebuilder for Sacramento's Panhandle - Sacramento Business Journal The builder is hoping to start model homes next summer.

Hard to believe it's been more than a decade since the Golden 1 Center plan was hatched, and the Kings' former home is still waiting for a post-basketball future.

Infrastructure district discussion suggests California Northstate's Natomas hospital is years away - Sacramento Business Journal Redevelopment of the former arena property in Sacramento's Natomas area has taken a step forward, but it might be years before it takes visible shape.

When she was editing this story, a colleague said, "A 5,000-home project is pretty unusual, isn't it?" Yes, as in, nothing that big has been proposed in these parts in more than a decade.

Reynen & Bardis Homes plans 5,000-home project in southeast Rancho Cordova - Sacramento Business Journal The property is now mostly undeveloped ag land.

When in doubt, write about pickleball:

12,300-square-foot pickleball center planned in Gold River - Sacramento Business Journal There's a new proposal for an undeveloped site in Gold River.

I have in-laws who live in Colusa County, so I pass through Dunnigan pretty often coming to and from Sacramento. The idea of seeing it develop further is interesting, but as this story notes, there's a really big obstacle.

Yolo County preparing a plan to allow more housing, commercial sites in Dunnigan - Sacramento Business Journal At the northern end of Yolo County, a community best known as an Interstate 5 rest stop is being planned for something more.

Probably 35 or so years ago, I decided I wanted to be a sportswriter when I grew up. And since I liked the Oakland A's, I probably would've thought getting to write about them someday would've been really cool. Flash forward, long since dropped the sportswriter idea, but through various twists of fate, for the next few years....I get to write about the A's (not of Oakland for much longer).

Local officials banking on economic impact from Oakland A's move to Sutter Health Park - Sacramento Business Journal Greater Sacramento Economic Council CEO Barry Broome said having the A's play at Sutter Health Park raises the Sacramento region's reputation as a part of California still on the rise.

Tough blow for a much anticipated affordable housing project on Broadway, though it sounds as if it's a setback rather than a crushing blow.

On Broadway affordable housing project in Sacramento ravaged by overnight fire - Sacramento Business Journal The project began construction last year.

There were a lot of comments I saw about story saying, "where will people park?" Reality is, no project in the urban core like this will have a lot of parking, and it's not required at all, usually. But there is a light-rail line running right by it....

Another Planet Entertainment to open midsize music venue in Midtown in early 2025 - Sacramento Business Journal The venue's first shows should be announced later this year.

Often, companies are happy to talk about expansion. This one was amenable to discuss about taking the opposite tack, and that's probably one reason a lot of people read it this week.

Wilson Design Studio closes San Francisco office after three years, cites lack of traction - Sacramento Business Journal The firm opened the San Francisco office in 2021.

Was out for much of this week, but this story got more attention than I would've guessed. Probably because it mentions affordable housing in an area where some people say there's too much of it already.

Sacramento planners crafting action plan for Marysville/Del Paso area - Sacramento Business Journal Sixty years after North Sacramento became a part of the city of Sacramento, a city planning effort is underway to evaluate how to boost the neighborhood's economic vitality.

Thousands of acres sold, no plans for development, but it's still important for developers in another way. Read on:

Teichert sells 4,200 acres in Placer County for conservation and mitigation bank - Sacramento Business Journal The land went up for sale in 2022.

Lots of people interested in the future of one of Sacramento's best-known high rises, which has seen better days.

Renaissance Tower, Downtown Sacramento's 'Darth Vader building,' hits the market for sale - Sacramento Business Journal It could be a challenge to sell, amid the cool market for office buildings.

This story was worth it just for the photos alone (and the opportunity to tour Kubota's distribution center, which I believe we were the first media outlet to report on when it was in the works).

Kubota regional HQ shows shifting economy in Elk Grove - Sacramento Business Journal The new Kubota regional headquarters in Elk Grove represents jobs and commerce.

A bit under the radar, a full-fledged public college/university for Placer County has gotten the go-ahead.

After CSU trustee approval, plans being laid out for start of Sacramento State Placer Center - Sacramento Business Journal CSU trustees unanimously approved the master plan last week.

Most of my stories are what, who, when type stories, but this one is more about the "why."

Sacramento has received a flurry of new development proposals. Here's why. - Sacramento Business Journal Hint: It's not the housing market, or potential interest rate cuts, or softening inflation.

Because of its age, this is a natural building for a conversion proposal.....to a hotel?!?

Downtown office building near Golden 1 Center planned for hotel conversion - Sacramento Business Journal The building dates to 1915 and is considered historically significant.

Years ago, this project was announced as a big deal for bringing high paying jobs to Natomas. And then, well, stuff happened.

Sacramento gets fee estimate request for industrial project at Centene campus in Natomas - Sacramento Business Journal An office complex in North Natomas intended for Centene Corp. is still seeking new tenants, but there's also the possibility of new development on the same site.

The project is nearly complete, but there's still a lot of interest in disputes around the Crocker Village development in Sacramento:

Petrovich Development sues BlackPine Builders over Crocker Village deadlines - Sacramento Business Journal The suit is over homes in the project intended to be rentals.

This shopping center is pretty forgettable, but it seems like there are plans in the works to change that quite a bit.

Foothills Farms Center proposed for redevelopment as housing, new retail - Sacramento Business Journal The center is on about 6 acres.

They're simple, they often don't have a lot of people weighing in, and they're only a snapshot. But stories about sale of future single-family lots almost always get a lot of traffic from readers.

Taylor Builders affiliate sells nearly 90 home lots in Roseville to JMC Homes - Sacramento Business Journal Homebuilder JMC Homes bought the 88 lots in two separate transactions.

For a long time, I've thought the former Florin Mall would be an intriguing place to redevelop into a new destination. Given this story's monster web traffic, there would be a lof of interest in that.

Former Sears Auto Center to be converted into Mexican restaurant, cantina and events space - Sacramento Business Journal The former auto center has been closed for about five years.

This is a sign that even though many developers are sitting tight right now, they're still thinking about new projects.

SKK Developments appears to have inside track on Grand Gateway project in West Sac - Sacramento Business Journal One of the region's most prolific urban residential developers is in talks for what's expected to be a critical project for downtown West Sacramento.