Sunrise Tomorrow
Sunrise Tomorrow Background Key Details from the Specific Plan A reader-friendly overview of the long-term redevelopment framework for the Sunrise Mall site. Tap to expand
Readers should use the official City pages and plan documents for complete details.
Background
The Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan is the City of Citrus Heights’ long-term planning framework for the approximately 100-acre Sunrise Mall site. City staff worked with redevelopment experts, mall owners, stakeholders, community members, and elected officials to create a plan intended to allow mixed-use redevelopment at the property.
The Citrus Heights City Council adopted the Specific Plan, along with the associated Environmental Impact Report, rezoning, and General Plan amendment, on November 10, 2021.
Guidelines & rules
Sets development standards and a regulatory framework for future redevelopment.
Proactive planning
Creates a local plan to help guide change instead of waiting for piecemeal proposals.
Flexible framework
Allows redevelopment to respond to market realities while keeping the larger community vision in view.
What the plan is designed to do
The Specific Plan does not build the project by itself. Instead, it creates the land-use and environmental framework that future property-owner proposals would use.
- Introduce new uses at the Sunrise Mall site, including residential options, entertainment, and other mixed-use possibilities.
- Increase development capacity at the site, creating opportunities for economic diversification and new employment sectors.
- Streamline review for future projects that align with the adopted Sunrise Tomorrow vision.
- Allow flexibility so redevelopment can respond to market changes over time.
- Address CEQA requirements through environmental review and mitigation planning.
- Connect market demand with community vision by building from public engagement and planning analysis.
Maximum development amounts
The numbers below represent maximum amounts described in the Sunrise Tomorrow materials. They are planning allowances, not a guarantee that every category will be built to the maximum.
| Use | Existing | Proposed Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Zero | 2,220 units |
| Office | Zero | 960,000 square feet |
| Hotel | Zero | 480 hotel rooms |
| Community / Institutional | Zero | 450,000 square feet |
| Retail | 1,089,000 square feet | 320,000 square feet |
The “Five Big Ideas”
The Specific Plan was guided by five broad ideas that came from community and stakeholder feedback. Together, they point toward a more walkable, mixed-use district rather than a traditional enclosed mall model.
The “21st Century Main Street” concept
City materials describe the future vision as a “21st Century Main Street” concept — a redevelopment pattern that would combine public spaces, employment, housing, entertainment, hotels, and improved ways to move around the site.
- A walkable main street through the center of the property, featuring dining, retail, and entertainment.
- New employment anchors to help establish the site as a regional employment hub.
- A new town square for Citrus Heights, nicknamed “Sunrise Commons,” with space for year-round community events.
- Entertainment anchors intended to create a family-oriented community and regional destination.
- Hotels including full-service, boutique, and extended-stay options for different types of travelers.
- Housing connected to neighborhood amenities and a variety of living choices.
- Open space through a network of parks, plazas, and greener streets.
- A transit center and improved walking and biking connections to reduce reliance on cars within the district.
The city does not own the mall site. The plan creates a redevelopment framework, but actual projects would ultimately be driven by property owners bringing forward proposals consistent with the plan vision.
Official resources
BirdcageHeights.com summarizes public information for easier reading, but the official materials remain the best source for complete details, amendments, environmental review documents, and meeting records.
Redevelopment Advancements 3.12.2026 Tap to expand
The City of Citrus Heights has taken a major step toward advancing redevelopment of the Sunrise Mall property by establishing a public-private partnership framework with Sacramento-based sports and entertainment development firm The Mettle Shop for the development of the Sunrise Sports Center, a proposed regional sports and entertainment complex envisioned as a catalyst project within the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan.
The Sunrise Mall property, built more than 50 years ago as one of the region’s first regional shopping centers, spans roughly 100 acres and represents the most significant redevelopment opportunity in Citrus Heights’ history. In 2022, the City Council adopted the Sunrise Tomorrow Specific Plan, creating a long-term vision to transform the aging mall into a vibrant mixed-use district featuring entertainment, hospitality, housing, and experiential retail.
A Catalyst for the Sunrise Tomorrow Vision
At its March 11 meeting, the Citrus Heights City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into an Economic Development and Participation Agreement (EDPA) with The Mettle Shop, establishing the partnership framework and key terms to collaboratively explore the project. The agreement does not approve a specific development project. Any proposal will still undergo environmental review, planning entitlements, and public hearings before returning to the City Council for consideration. “I have said I would like to see something so unique that people are drawn to Citrus Heights, because Citrus Heights is pretty special,” said Mayor Marijane Taff. “This feels pretty close to a magic-wand moment for our community.”
The proposed Sunrise Sports Center would occupy approximately 13.75 acres of the 100-acre Sunrise Mall property, serving as a catalyst project intended to activate the site and attract additional investment across the remaining acreage. Tallen Capital Partners is currently in escrow to purchase the majority portion of the site. “This is a transformational effort to turn this property into a compelling regional destination of food, entertainment, housing, and all the things that go along with that,” said Terry Tallen, CEO. “To the Council, the vision you have had in putting the specific plan together is a great vision. It’s a timely vision and a good blend of uses, which is what makes successful projects successful these days.”
A Regional Sports and Entertainment Destination
The Sunrise Sports Center is envisioned as a year-round destination supporting sports tourism, recreation, and community programming. The concept includes a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena, two NHL-sized ice sheets, covered and outdoor turf fields, sports medicine and performance facilities, restaurants, and community gathering spaces. At full operation, the venue is projected to attract approximately 1.29 million visitors annually, with roughly 75 percent coming from outside Citrus Heights, generating regional visitation and supporting local businesses. Economic analysis indicates the facility could generate approximately $26 million in annual economic output and support more than 350 jobs through direct and indirect economic activity.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Citrus Heights City Council for their leadership and vision in moving the Sunrise Sports Center project forward,” said The Mettle Shop CEO Joe Wagoner. “This is an exciting moment for the local community and the entire Sacramento region. We look forward to partnering with the City to create a destination where families, athletes, and visitors can come together around sports, competition, and community.”
“Transformational redevelopment requires strong partnerships and shared vision,” said City Manager Ash Feeney. “Through this public-private partnership, we have an opportunity to combine private investment with strategic public tools to catalyze redevelopment and help bring the Sunrise Tomorrow vision to life.”
Under the partnership framework, The Mettle Shop would acquire the project site and lead development and operation of the Sunrise Sports Center, while Tallen Capital Partners is currently in escrow to acquire approximately 50 acres of the Sunrise Mall property, positioning the broader site for future mixed-use redevelopment aligned with the Sunrise Tomorrow vision. The City will coordinate planning and entitlement processes, support redevelopment coordination among property owners, and evaluate the potential use of municipal financing tools to help facilitate the project.
The proposed financing approach combines private developer equity with municipal bond financing, with project revenues repaying the bonds rather than taxpayer funds. The project will undergo additional planning and environmental review, including technical studies, CEQA review, community outreach, and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council.
If ultimately approved later this year, the Sunrise Sports Center would serve as a catalytic anchor helping stimulate redevelopment across the remaining 85+ acres of the Sunrise Tomorrow site, advancing the City’s vision for a vibrant regional destination.
For more information and to receive updates, visit www.sunrisetomorrow.net
About Citrus Heights: Citrus Heights is located at the center of California’s Capitol Region and is home to a community that values resourcefulness and pragmatism. The City’s slogan, “Solid roots. New growth” speaks to the community’s stability and support, allowing residents and businesses the opportunity to realize their aspirations. Learn more at CitrusHeights.net.
City of Citrus Heights | 6360 Fountain Square Drive | Citrus Heights, CA 95621 US
Sunrise Tomorrow Presentation Tap to expand
Sunrise Tomorrow Plan Text Tap to expand
Google Drive Version, one long page.
To learn more about Sunrise Tomorrow…
Review the Specific Plan and EIR.
Watch the presentation of the November 10, 2021 Council.
Download the November 10, 2021 presentation slides.
The History of Citrus Heights
Explore a curated timeline and articles about the people, places, and events that shaped Citrus Heights.
Read article