PETALUMA, Calif.—On August 4, the Petaluma City Council heard a presentation on the planned Public Safety Facility to be built on the Petaluma Fairgrounds and received public comment about the project. The new facility represents an important milestone that fulfills commitments made to the public with the passage of the voter-approved Measure U sales tax in 2020, while affirming the Fairgrounds’ long-standing legacy as a central hub for regional emergency response.
This facility, which will house both Police and Fire headquarters-including the city’s only ladder truck-and a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC), strengthens Petaluma’s ability to respond rapidly and coordinate effectively during emergencies. It also ensures that the Fairgrounds continues serving critically as a regional evacuation and staging site, building on its history of serving our region in times of crisis since the 1906 earthquake.
In 2020, with strong community support, Measure U authorized a local sales tax increase to bolster Petaluma’s ability to respond to emergencies alongside crucial improvements to our roads and other public infrastructure. The new Public Safety Facility is a direct and tangible outcome of that voter-backed investment. It replaces outdated stations, consolidates essential services, and modernizes emergency coordination-all aligned with the community’s expectations for enhanced public safety.
Petaluma’s residents identified the following top priorities for Measure U funds in 2020:
- Emergency public health, wildfire, and natural disaster preparedness
- Maintaining 911 emergency response times and fire prevention and protection
- Ensuring 24-hour police and fire staffing
- Keeping public areas safe and clean
- Repairing streets, roads, and potholes
- Supporting local businesses through recovery
Having already begun the process of improving our roads and recovering from the pandemic, and with passage of the county-wide Measure H in March 2024, providing dedicated fire infrastructure funding, the City can now deliver on our promise to prioritize public safety improvements.
After residents made their priorities clear in 2020, they again emphasized the critical importance of keeping Petaluma prepared for emergencies through the Fairgrounds visioning process two years later. Ninety-percent of the lottery-selected Fairgrounds Advisory Panel agreed that continued use of the Fairgrounds as an evacuation hub was a high priority, and the City heard the same feedback from the wider community. The City Council agreed and made emergency preparedness part of the Eight Guiding Principles for the Fairgrounds that were approved in October 2022, including:
- Preserve and enhance the capacity of the Fairgrounds to provide critical emergency response resources for Petaluma and the region; and
- Honor the legacy of history and place while fostering safety, inclusivity, and accessibility.
Taking this feedback to heart, the City Council approved the Public Safety Facilities Strategic Master Plan in 2023. Now, the City is excited to have the opportunity to better serve the community by replacing the current outdated and inadequate facilities with a building that will not only help reduce response times but improve coordination in the event of a future disaster.
Located behind the Swim Center at Johnson and Kenilworth Drives, the site for the Public Safety Facility was selected for its central location and its deep-rooted role in emergency response planning. At the same time, we recognize that the community has a vested interest in the larger Fairgrounds Master Plan process, scheduled to begin this winter. By moving forward on the Public Safety Facility in advance of the Master Plan, the City is better placed to deliver on a priority that its residents have been clear on from the beginning.
By embedding emergency infrastructure within the Fairgrounds, the city is staying true to the community’s direction to improve safety while respecting the Fairgrounds’ historical and cultural significance. The city has prioritized retaining all current uses of the Fairgrounds-including the Petaluma Fair, the Speedway, and year-round public access-while also enhancing its capacity to support large-scale emergency operations.
“This new Public Safety Facility is more than just a building, it’s an investment in the safety, resilience, and future of Petaluma. For decades, our police officers and professional staff have worked in an undersized, outdated facility that simply could not keep pace with the needs of a growing city,” said Police Chief Brian Miller. “By centrally locating police operations, we will improve our ability to respond quickly and effectively across the city. With its central location, the facility will provide easier, more equitable access for every community member, no matter where they live, and offer safe, modern spaces that convey respect, trust, and care for all who walk through our doors. This purpose-built space will give our team the tools, technology, and environment they need to serve our community with efficiency, compassion, and professionalism for generations to come. It will stand as a symbol of service and pride for our entire community and our staff, while helping us attract and retain the highly qualified, dedicated policing professionals who protect our city every day.”
The project is currently scheduled for discussion at the next Planning Commission Meeting on Sept. 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
