By Sara Beth Williams–
The City of Citrus Heights on Friday announced the launch of a pre-condemnation appraisal of a portion of Sunrise Mall property owned by Namdar Realty Group.
A pre-condemnation appraisal does not indicate the property is going to be condemned; rather, it refers to the desire of the city to seek an independent appraisal to determine the fair market value of the property, the city said in its announcement. A pre-condemnation appraisal is one necessary step for a jurisdiction to pursue eminent domain proceedings, according to the Sacramento Business Journal.
City Manager Ashley Feeney said in the city’s announcement that the move reflects a “careful, strategic approach.”
“The Council’s vision is clear: Sunrise Mall must become a vibrant destination that serves the community and drives economic vitality,” Feeney said.
The city’s announcement did not specifically mention eminent domain; however, according to attorney Bradley D. Pierce who discusses eminent domain law in California, and other similar law firms specializing in matters of eminent domain, a pre-condemnation appraisal is a heads-up from government agencies to property owners that they want to utilize all or part of the property for a public project. The appraisal is the first step in the legal process of determining fair market value before making an offer to the property’s current owner.
For example, an eminent domain action on a closed Macy’s store in Downtown Sacramento more than a decade ago helped ensure the development of Golden 1 Center, the Business Journal said.
The city said it has been “laying the groundwork” for Sunrise Mall’s revitalization for years. The Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, which was adopted in 2021 after public engagement sessions were held in years prior, is a large-scale development guide for redeveloping the 100-acre property into a “thriving, mixed-use destination.”
Amid the differences in viewpoints regarding what the future of Sunrise Mall could become, Citrus Heights residents have overwhelmingly emphasized on local social media groups, through letters to the editor, in public comments at council meetings, and through FlashVote surveys issued by the city, a strong sentiment that redevelopment of Sunrise Mall needs to occur sooner rather than later.
According to the city, progress is being made toward supporting the build-out of the site, including the approval of Sunrise Montessori Preschool and an electric vehicle charging station.
The city also approved a Tentative Parcel Map and development agreement in June 2024 to support the development of the Sunrise Tomorrow Hotel project, with “deal-making talks” involving potential hotel brands underway earlier in the spring, according to the city’s Economic Development and Community Engagement Director.
The pursuit of a pre-condemnation appraisal of the property follows closed negotiations on Aug. 13 between the city and Namdar Realty Group. The city said previously that there was no reportable action from the closed negotiations.
“This appraisal is a strategic information-gathering step to support thoughtful decision-making and ensure all future actions are grounded in accurate data, community priorities, and the Sunrise Tomorrow vision,” the city stated in its announcement.
