Supervisors approve Placer County Government Center agreement for potential development opportunities

Published on Aug. 18, 2021

The Placer County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 10 approved an exclusive- right-to-negotiate agreement for potential development at the Placer County Government Center and Placer and Administrative Center, awarding the contract to Delaware-based firm Griffin-Swinerton following a competitive process. 

The board also received a presentation from Griffin-Swinerton on the development feasibility and strategy report for potential private land development opportunities at the Placer County Government Center in North Auburn and Placer County Administrative Center buildings on Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn. 

With the Placer County Government Center Master Plan Update now in place, Griffin-Swinerton will develop actual project proposals to bring the new vision to life. 

“The economic profile of Placer County has the same that Salt Lake City or Dallas is offering,” said Griffin-Swinerton Executive Vice President, Korin Crawford. “Placer County has a lot of great potential ahead of it.” 

Griffin-Swinterton’s feasibility analysis informs how best to catalyze and implement private-use development and site infrastructure on 40 to 60 acres of land located at the PCGC as well as the Fulweiler site in Auburn. The county is looking at potential uses for the Fulweiler buildings if county functions are moved to the government center. 

The initial analysis outlined in the report indicates that the most promising uses for the campus seem to be food and beverage, health and fitness and outdoor recreation-oriented services. New commercial uses, as well as improved county facilities and housing opportunities, are called for in the PCGC master plan vision for continuing to redevelop the World War-II era campus. 

The vision for potential public and private development is described in the Placer County Government Center Master Plan and is intended to position the county to provide services more efficiently to the community, provide a vital and compelling work environment and support the area’s economic vitality. 

Proposals for further development at the campus will proceed through their own community and environmental review processes as they’re brought forward for eventual Board of Supervisors consideration. The agreement with Griffin-Swinerton also acknowledges ongoing community efforts to redevelop the campus’ DeWitt Theater, and allows for coordination among those parties for potential partnerships. 

“The development of the Dewitt Center, now the Placer County Government Center, has been envisioned for many years,” said long-time North Auburn resident and Placer County District 3 Supervisor Jim Holmes. “The updated and improved facilities will greatly benefit Placer County residents who seek government services and also provide a catalyst for economic development in North Auburn.”