As 2025 Closes…

Dear RGM Supporters,

As 2025 comes to a close, RGM extends heartfelt wishes to everyone for a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with peace and joy.

A lot has happened this year and San Rafael is changing, with approximately 15 major housing projects at some stage of proposal or approval. Below we give updates on some of the projects that we have been concerned with over the past year.

RGM will continue to be engaged with the community in the coming year and we will continue to be a source of information to increase our neighbors’ awareness of the projects in our neighborhood.

Northgate Mall Status

After a long time of nothing visible happening, early 2026 will see the start of the demolition of the former Sears buildings. This will make way for construction of the first phase of the project. 

Restoration Hardware Outlet has been relocated to the former Kohl’s building, where it will continue to operate until Phase 2 of the redevelopment.

Ounces will be closing on December 7, unfortunately with no foreseeable reopening date. Ounces has been a much loved success story and Jojo and Waz are disappointed to be leaving. They are looking for a new home somewhere in Terra Linda. Until then, stop by and say “thanks” to them.

555 Northgate Drive

The project proposal application has now been deemed complete. While there are quite a few aspects of the proposal that are not consistent with San Rafael’s Municipal Code, the overall project is focused on affordability and the developer is requesting a number of “bonuses” under SB 330.

Major points of concern are the height of the building (seven stories, right next to the protected single story Eichlers); lack of sufficient onsite parking (which could cause problems on the surrounding streets); and a lack of setbacks. None of these issues conform to San Rafael’s code, but may be excused because of the bonuses granted to the developer under SB 330.

350 Merrydale - Tiny Homes

This site will replace the downtown Sanctioned Camping Area for unsheltered people and transitions it into a continuous “shelter to affordable housing”program. The Mahon Creek camp site is slated to close by April 2026. Marin’s Board of Supervisors approved a grant for $8 million to acquire the Merrydale Road property. The initial plan is to construct a “village of about 65 tiny homes”, which will last for 3-4 years, closing in June 2029 at the latest. The long term goal is to develop 80 units of affordable housing at the site.

Many nearby residents are upset because of the lack of City engagement with the neighborhood prior to announcing the project as a “done deal.” Another community engagement session to receive feedback on the updated Good Neighbor Policy and preliminary site design will be held on December 9. More information is available at: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/interim-shelter-site-at-350-merrydale-road/

Other Projects

Several other projects are in the planning phase, including two apartment buildings on Civic Center Drive, providing 238 housing units. This application is under review.

The Caltrans roundabout project at the northbound 101 Freitas Parkway exit has been delayed and construction has stopped for the winter. According to Caltrans the main causes of the delay are a “utility conflict” and “stakeholder requests for modifications.” The project is now expected to be finished sometime in 2026.

Many more housing projects are proposed for central San Rafael. More information about these can be found at the City’s website: https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/major-planning-projects-2025/. We encourage everyone to keep themselves informed of what is happening in our city.

We wish you a safe and happy Holiday Season.

RGM