Creating a Vision for Central Rohnert Park, in March 2016, the City Council adopted the Central Rohnert Park,  Priority Development Area Plan, along with related General Plan and Zoning Ordinance Updates. The plan covers an approximately 330-acre developed area of the city, roughly centered along Rohnert Park Expressway and State Farm Drive. The plan features the creation of a new Downtown District – approximately 50 acres in size, to create a hub of activity within Central Rohnert Park. The downtown is envisioned to include a vibrant mix retail, office and residential uses, centered at the intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and State Farm Drive. A key destination is the downtown train platform for the SMART train, operational since 2017.

In addition to the new Downtown, the Central Rohnert Park plan will help incentive the construction of the following development over the next 20 or so years: over 800 residential units (concentrated within the one-half mile radius of the SMART rail station); up to 450,000 square feet of retail and services; up to 200,000 square feet of new office facilities; up to 60,000 square feet of public buildings; up to 130,000 square feet of light industrial uses; and 8.5 acres of public parks and a comprehensive network of bicycle and walking pathways.