Board approves contingent purchase agreement for Brickway Boulevard buildings as option for County decentralization

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on May 6 authorized staff to sign a contingent purchase-and-sale agreement for two commercial buildings on Brickway Boulevard and complete due diligence, with a final purchase decision scheduled for July 8.

Why it matters: County staff said the buildings could accommodate roughly 400-plus employees in about 120,000 square feet, reducing the number of separate facilities the county must maintain and addressing a long-standing backlog of deferred maintenance across county-owned buildings. Supporters said clustering staff under fewer roofs reduces long-term facilities costs; critics warned the move displaces workers from central Santa Rosa and questioned whether the county should pay the proposed price.

Board action and vote Public Infrastructure staff presented the acquisition plan and asked the board to: authorize the director to sign a contingent purchase agreement; approve a due-diligence period; and find the acquisition categorically exempt from CEQA, with a final decision to be returned to the board on July 8. Following public comment the board approved the motion. The roll call recorded supervisors Hermosillo, Gore and Chair Hopkins voting in favor and Supervisor Corsi recording a no vote; the motion carried.

Key details from staff presentation Public Infrastructure staff said the two Brickway buildings could accommodate the county27s needs while keeping the number of rooftops the county maintains to a minimum. Staff estimated approximately 120,000 square feet would be needed to house a targeted number of employees and said the buildings are suitable for tenant improvements the county requires. Staff described staging plans for departments that would move first; Registrar of Voters (ROV) and related operations were discussed as early tenants because they need warehouse, ballot storage, observation space and secure facilities.

Timeline and next steps If due diligence finds no material impediments, staff will return July 8 to finalize the purchase. Christina Rivera, County Executive Officer, told the board that appropriation of funds for a purchase executed outside the normal budget cycle would require a four-fifths vote; she said appropriations for any resulting purchase would be included in the county27s recommended budget and then would require a majority vote during the regular budget hearing process.

Public comment and outstanding issues Public commenters and employee advocates offered a mix of support and opposition. Generation Housing praised the county27s master-plan approach for the government center and encouraged co-locating housing and transit; SEIU 1021 voiced opposition, saying moving 500 employees to the airport corridor would increase commute times, greenhouse gas emissions and worker hardship while pointing to remaining tenant-improvement costs at Brickway. A public commenter raised concerns that the developer might not be responsible for certain costs tied to the SB 330 application.

Other matters raised during the meeting included a pending complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) about prior negotiations; staff reported the county had requested formal FPPC advice but the commission declined to issue an advisory letter and that a formal complaint remains pending with no timeline for a ruling.

Operational considerations Speakers and supervisors discussed parking, transit access and nearby infrastructure. Staff said the Brickway site has substantial parking and better corridor access than many alternative properties along Airport Boulevard; they also noted the site is roughly a seven-minute walk from the SMART station, and county staff described options for bike and shuttle connections to the rail stop. Staff flagged the need for tenant improvements for ROV and other departments and described a phased move schedule that could allow early occupants to occupy space beginning in early 2026.

Ending The board authorized the contingent purchase and due diligence. Staff will complete inspections and negotiations and return July 8 with a recommendation to proceed or not proceed with the acquisition based on the findings and any outstanding legal or financial issues.