Update February 29, 2012

Lawsuit Settled!

The lawsuit that stopped progress on a San Rafael Target for the last nine months has been settled. Target is coming to San Rafael! Project opponents had filed suit citing environmental issues with the Target proposed to be built next to Home Depot in the Canal area. After months of discussion, agreement has been reached between Target, landowner Cal-Pox, Inc. and Keep It Local San Rafael and the lawsuit has been dropped. Read the details in the press release issued by all parties involved in the suit.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to you joining us when Target opens its doors in 2013. In the meantime, check this site from time to time for project updates. Many thanks.

Thank you for your interest in bringing a Target store to San Rafael. With your help and the leadership of the San Rafael City Council, the project received final approval on May 16, 2011.

The approval process has been long and thorough. After the Planning Commission recommended approval of the project in late 2010, the proposal made its way to the San Rafael City Council. Council members held three public hearings on the proposal and received hundreds of public comments.

A recurring concern was the impact, if any, Target would have on Downtown San Rafael. The City Council commissioned a Community Impact Report (CIR) that was undertaken by noted analyst AECOM. Six California communities with demographics similar to San Rafael (including having a downtown) were studied. The report found that no store closures were attributed to Target. In addition, AECOM reported that the store would net 164 new jobs and $646,000 in annual sales tax revenues to the city.

The project will now move to the building permit phase. Target officials plan to open the store in 2013.

A final step in the City Council approval process remains: the adoption of resolutions approving the project. That item will return to Council for final approval on May 16 at 6 p.m. Once the resolutions have been adopted, the project will then move to the building permit phase. Target officials plan to open the store in 2013.

The Target Yes team, led by landowner Stephanie Plante of Cal-Pox, Inc., thanks you for the extensive support given to the proposal. Literally thousands of emails, letters and postcards of support were received. Phone calls were made, meetings attended and public comment offered. Project approval would not have been possible without your help.

We thank you, along with the Marin Builders Association, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and our hardworking City staff, Mayor and Council members for an exciting outcome and forward motion in our community.

We will continue to update this website to keep you informed about project progress. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.