= The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has unveiled plans for a significant new facility in Folsom, signaling a major investment in the region’s infrastructure. The proposed $145 million project will bring a 100,000-square-foot administrative operations center, along with a 100-foot-tall communications tower, to a 5-acre site near the American River.

The new facility will be located at 102 Woodmere Road, an area strategically positioned just east of Lake Natoma and west of Folsom Boulevard. This location offers proximity to the American River Parkway and Lake Natoma to the west, with existing office and industrial developments to the north, south, and east. The site, which has been prepared for construction with mass grading, includes a cul-de-sac roadway, Shore Court, that extends north from Woodmere Road. The property was reportedly purchased by SMUD in 2020 for $3 million, as noted in a previous report by the Sacramento Business Journal.

SMUD’s Notice of Intent details a phased approach to the construction of the new operations center. The first phase will involve the construction of 50,000 square feet of the administrative building and the erection of the communications tower. The second phase will complete the remaining 50,000 square feet of the facility. The building is designed to house offices for SMUD employees as well as operational facilities critical to the utility’s mission of delivering reliable energy to its customers.

“The Folsom Administrative Operations Building Project includes construction of a modern power control center and related facilities, and is critical to supporting the delivery of reliable service to the growing region. The project is an investment that ensures SMUD’s grid remains modern, resilient, and reliable,” said SMUD spokesperson Gamaliel Ortiz in a statement.

This new facility is part of SMUD’s broader strategy to enhance its operational capacity and ensure the stability of its power grid, particularly as the Sacramento region continues to grow. The facility’s proximity to the California Independent System Operator (CAL ISO), which oversees the state’s energy grid, is expected to foster greater collaboration and efficiency in energy management. The CAL ISO headquarters, located within three miles of the proposed SMUD facility, plays a crucial role in managing the flow of electricity across California.

The project site is currently vacant land within an industrial and office area of Folsom, making it an ideal location for the new operations center. Once completed, the facility is expected to employ more than 100 people, contributing to the local economy and providing new job opportunities for residents.

The construction start date has not yet been announced. SMUD is in the process of acquiring contractor bids for the project, with the goal of having the facility fully operational by 2028.

The development of this new facility underscores SMUD’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient energy grid, capable of meeting the demands of a growing population and evolving energy needs. The investment in Folsom is seen as a long-term strategic move that will help ensure the region’s energy infrastructure remains robust and adaptable in the face of future challenges.

For more information about the Folsom Administrative Operations Building Project and to review the Notice of Intent and other related documents, visit SMUD’s website here.

Imagery: SMUD