Once again, Sacramento County is looking for a developer to build a hotel at the airport even though a previous hotel deal at the site fell apart earlier this year. Sacramento Business Journal Digital Editor Sonya Sorich says this time might be different.
Officials released a request for proposals for the project at Sacramento International Airport this week, believing interest for a hotel might still exist from both developers and the public. There used to be an airport hotel in the past, but it was demolished to make way for Terminal B and its parking garage.
Responses from developers are due in August.
"Basically, by putting the project out to bid, they're gauging interest," Sorich says.
While not much is known about the hotel yet, Sorich says what is confirmed is that the project would be a major brand hotel, with at least 125 rooms. It also aims to have 24-hour food service and 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
Despite the details, Sorich says setbacks are still possible considering the previous developer's issues with finding financing, which remains a challenge. Timeliness could prove stifling as well with five other hotel proposals in Natomas, a Sacramento neighborhood close to the airport.
"Those projects could make it more difficult to justify building a hotel at the airport, based on its potential occupancy," Sorich says.
Kellogg cuts back in Roseville
The Kellogg Company, a major food manufacturer, announced plans to eliminate 230 positions at its sales and merchandising office in Roseville, effective in August.
Earlier this year, the company announced plans to change its distribution network. It's basically moving its products to retailers' warehouses so it can close its own distribution centers.
The company is based in Michigan and is known for making a variety of breakfast cereals, in addition to crackers, cookies and other foods
She says the company is also laying off 280 workers in Orange County, and the company has said it's trying to move affected workers to new positions.
Double Nickel's three-year run
On the food-and-drink scene, the Double Nickel Smokehouse in Elk Grove is closing next week. It was co-owned by Lance Briggs, who played football at Elk Grove High School and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. He retired in 2015.
Sorich says she doesn't know too many details about why the business is closing, but a Facebook post this week said another restaurant concept is filling the space.
"So we'll have to wait and see," Sorich says.
Rocklin beer scene remains intact
Beer lovers can rejoice knowing the space that once was Dragas Brewing in Rocklin is getting a new future that still involves cracking open a cold one.
Moksa Brewing Company could open by the end of the year, filling the space left in the beer scene with Dragas' departure. The project's main investor also owns a restaurant called Auburn Thai Garden with his wife.
"The plans are still in the early stages, but this will be an interesting one to watch, since the brewery building is pretty large, covering nearly 5,000 square feet in Rocklin," Sorich says.
Fun fact: "Moksa" in the brewery's name refers to the Sanskrit term that's associated with freedom.
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