Program Summary _ Santa Rosa Courthouse Square

The anchor feature of downtown Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square reunification is the restoration and upgrading of the 1908 landmark Empire Building.  A signature property of early 20th Century Bay Area Architect John Galen Howard, the Empire Building was the first major project following the devastating 1906 earthquake.  Completed, it was  the first elevator-equipped three story building. The  Beaux-Art Style office originally housed the Bank of Italy, later becoming Bank of America.  The building's now well recognized clock tower was an after-thought add on, which remains to this day.

Owned now by local Developer Hugh Futrell, the hotel-to-be's new interior will feature three, thirteen room floors, designed to compete with higher end Marriott and Hyatt brands.  Comfortable rooms with well planned space, 100% Valet parking, wine bar lobby with cafe seating into Courtyard Square are featured.  Giles also commented on the BIA or Building Improvement District which will compliment the newly configured downtown, providing surrounding merchants support for client safety, property maintenance and social service needs for the needier transient population.  As Giles described this element, " a helping hand rather than a wrecking ball."

Simultaneous to the building activity, Giles gave anticipation to the opening of museums in the previous AT&T building.  Modifications to State Liquor Laws are pending which can give wineries and Not For Profit organizations benefits from the donation of excess inventories.  TOT or Transient Occupancy Taxes will also benefit the City and County.  Giles described the forecast change in traffic patterns as robustly used.  Indeed the long standing Empire Building, witness to over a century of local lore, will continue to be a central eye on city commerce.