NORTH NATOMAS — For residents in the northern reaches of the Sacramento area, including Rio Linda and Elverta, retail options in North Natomas have remained largely unchanged for more than a decade. However, a milestone was reached this week that could finally bring more much-needed shopping and dining closer to home.
According to a formal application filed with the City of Sacramento, plans are officially in motion to bring a grocery-anchored shopping center and multiple drive-through restaurants to the long-stalled Northlake master-planned community.
As reported by Hoodline Sacramento, this marks the very first retail proposal from the Northlake development to enter the city’s formal review pipeline. It also represents the first new commercial construction of its scale in North Natomas in over ten years.
What’s in the Plans?
Commercial real estate listings managed by CBRE market the 7.8-acre site as “Northlake Commons.” The proposed neighborhood hub is slated to feature:
- A 45,000-square-foot supermarket acting as the center’s anchor.
- A convenience store.
- Multiple retail pads designated for drive-through restaurants and quick-service dining.
A Long Road to Development
The broader Northlake master plan has been sitting on city books for years, with housing phases slowly creeping forward while commercial infrastructure lagged behind. Located near the Elkhorn Boulevard interchange, the site’s development relies heavily on major infrastructure updates.
The City of Sacramento and local planners have recently pushed to fund critical traffic and bridge improvements in the area. These infrastructure upgrades are intended to fully unlock the Northlake development and connect the new retail hub safely to surrounding neighborhoods.
What Happens Next?
The proposal is currently in its initial phase. City planning staff will screen the application for completeness before pushing it forward into the public review process. Once cleared, the project will open up for community comment periods and public hearings.
For Rio Linda residents who frequently travel down Elkhorn Boulevard or into Natomas for grocery runs, this project is one to watch. If the city approves the entitlements and moves the project into the building-permit phase, it will serve as a major test of whether North Natomas can successfully draw in a new full-service grocer and fresh national fast-food brands.
Photo illustrations via CBRE website
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