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A Casino is coming to Town - Rohnert Park, CA

By Cynthia Larsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

October 26, 2013 06:05 AM

Graton Ranch Casino

I'm one of those folks who don't care for change, but change is what's coming to Sonoma County in the form of the largest casino in California. Oh my. Many are fearful of what follows in a casino's footsteps ... pawn shops are at the top of my mental list.

The bright side is that the Graton Resort and Casino is creating 2,000 new jobs, of which 7,000 hopefuls have applied for. It seems that being a card dealer has been a dream of many, since several hundred are finishing up a 6 week course in dealer school.

I live 3 miles from the new casino and am wondering how easy it will be to get around this giant attraction. Opening day is November 5th, less than two weeks away, so I'd better plan for every possibility of traffic back-ups.

I'm not a gambler, but I will be going to the casino for one reason ... restaurants! The Graton Resort and Casino has done a very good job at choosing some fine eating establishments, including a local Mexican restaurant that started out in a food truck.

All in all, the casino has been super generous to the county and Rohnert Park in particular. The head of the Graton Rancheria tribe is a savvy business entrepreneur, he has led the 9 year mission to see this casino come to fruition.

So hold on to your hats ... A Casino is coming to Town. The Graton Resort and Casino in Rohnert Park, CA.

* Photo is an artists rendering of the Graton Resort and Casino

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Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I'm not sure I'd like that either. I like my sleepy little farm town. But I agree the bright spot is the jobs.

Oct 26, 2013 06:51 AM

Marti Steele Kilby, CRS

Steele Group Realty - La Mesa, CA

Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

Ugh. Good luck with that. When I lived in Valley Center in northern San Diego County the Valley View casino opened and the traffic became horrible. Every day, all day, long buses bring in people from all over the county. And there were issues with drunk drivers and crime in the parking lot. The jobs are great for the local economy, but hopefully the price you pay is not your safety or peace and quiet. We have 6 or 7 major casinos in San Diego's back country and I am not a fan.

Oct 26, 2013 07:42 AM

Cynthia Larsen

Cotati, CA

Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Tammy - I like my sleepy wine country as well, but all that is about to change next month. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my county won't be ruined.

Marti - wow, that is a lot of casinos. There are a lot of people down there to begin with, I can only imagine the traffic. Our casino customers will mainly be coming from San Francisco, 45 miles south of us.

Oct 26, 2013 08:06 AM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

Well this will be an interesting addition to the county. My wife and I had been talking about coming up to the wine county so this might be a worthy addition to our usual wine tasting. It seems there are more and more of these popping up around CA.

Oct 27, 2013 12:58 AM

Bryan - "interesting" is a good word for it ... I just hope it is a positive "interesting".

Oct 27, 2013 07:01 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

So, how is it working out now, Cynthia? Has the traffic settled down to a manageable level? Maybe you'll give us a follow-up post after things have shaken out with Graton Casino. Knowing the impact on the town will be very interesting.

Nov 22, 2013 01:09 AM

Opening day was a traffic nightmare, Lottie. Since then I haven't been impacted by it traffic-wise. Time will tell if it impacts us in other ways once pockets are turned inside out. 17 days and counting ...

Nov 22, 2013 01:18 AM

A Casino is coming to Town - Rohnert Park, CA

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Cynthia Larsen

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