SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — After 11 years, the new community of Braden finally broke ground just outside Rancho Cordova.
Rachel Bardis, the Chief Operating Officer of Somers West, said the project itself dates back to 2003 and was approved in 2013. Bardis said it's taken a while to reach a point where development could actually begin.
“An incredible new design, new community, new holistic way of living,” said Bardis.
The 8,000 unit community will also have two million square feet of commercial retail space. The development will have schools, grocery stores, mixed use housing and is placing walkability at the forefront.
“8,000 units is a lot to get through, the ultimate vision in a lot different than the renderings we are providing we are quite literally building the park blocks we see in the visuals day one, the tree lined street and the grid system,” said Bardis.
Because the community is outside of existing Rancho Cordova along Grant Line Road there have been many questions about Braden as its own city or town. Somers West the group in charge says it’s a development.
“It can live as if it is its own town but it’s also just really integrated into the fabric of the community,” said Bardis.
ABC10 spoke with Sacramento County Development Department, which said Braden will be within the county. Power, water, sewer, garbage will be extended to the build using the same companies as Sacramento County.
The Sacramento County Sheriff Office says they will be the patrolling agency, not Rancho Cordova. However, if Rancho Cordova decides to annex it, their police department will be responsible.
Sacramento County says Sac Metro Fire services will be extended to the development.
The one question that remains is will this be considered an unincorporated part or will you be able to address say a letter specifically to Braden. The developer told ABC10 they will not be getting their own zip code.
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