DGS neglects maintenance of sdc core campus
Huge Fire Hazard at SDC
Huge Fire Hazard at SDC
The CA Department of General Services (DGS) discontinued maintenance of the SDC core campus at the end of June 2025. As these photos reveal, the once beautifully manicured grounds are quickly turning into an enormous fire hazard. On top of that, a good many of the fire hydrants along Arnold Drive are "out of service"!!!
When so much emphasis is placed on the need for individual property owners to maintain defensible space - especially during fire season and particularly in the wildland-urban-interface (WUI) - why is it that DGS gets a pass?
Residents of Sonoma Valley are now expected to maintain defensible space around structures by removing flammable materials, such as dry grass and leaves, dead trees, and overhanging branches. Being a good neighbor during fire season means mitigating risks on your own property to protect the entire community, yet DGS neglects its duty to be a good and responsible neighbor. What gives?
Huge Fire Hazard at SDC
Seeing that two lawsuits focusing on the SDC redevelopment project are still pending, construction is not likely to begin anytime soon. So what's going to happen with all the dead and dying vegetation, not to mention other safety hazards - cracked pavement, collapsing buildings, falling fences, malfunctioning storm drains, etc. - following in the wake of DGS' cynical abandonment of this property it still owns.
What can you do?
The property is owned and managed by the State of California. Maintenance requests need to be directed to DGS, which oversees repairs and upkeep for state-owned facilities. Contact their 24-hour Customer Service Center to report maintenance issues.
Phone: 1-833-363-4357
Email: DGSRESDAMBGeneralInquiries@dgs.ca.gov
You can also contact your State Representatives, Senator Cabaldon or Assemblymember Connolly.
Senator.Cabaldon@senate.ca.gov
assemblymember.connolly@assembly.ca.gov
CLICK HERE to read David Bolling's article in the April 2, 2026 edition of the Sonoma Valley Sun.
Spring 2026: A number of fire hydrants along Arnold Drive are "Not In Service."
Call or write to Fire Chief Steve Akre (Sonoma Valley Fire Department) to ask what he plans on doing about the fire hazards at the SDC.
email: stevea@svfra.org
phone: 707-996-2102
CLICK HERE to read Tracy Salcedo's article about SDC maintenance in the April 1, 2026 edition of the Kenwood Press.
Fall 2025: The collapsing roof of Sonoma House, a historic treasure, is covered in cheap disintegrating plastic sheeting.
Fall 2025: Microplastic on Sonoma House grounds (from disintegrating plastic sheeting covering the collapsing roof) will surely make their way into Sonoma Creek.
Fall 2025: Notice debris on the roof of this abandoned building that once served as housing.
Fall 2025: Tall grass along Arnold Drive creates a fire and tripping hazard.
Spring 2026: Lights are definitely out at the SDC!
Spring 2026: Neglected grounds of SDC core campus.
Spring 2026: Another inoperable fire hydrant on Arnold Drive.
Thankfully, fire hydrants were still working in 2017 when the Nuns Fire swept through the SDC.
Spring 2026: Tall grass and dead tree on Arnold Drive.
Spring 2026
scoping has closed: Thanks to all who submitted comments!
On Aug. 29, Permit Sonoma issued the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the SDC redevelopment project. The 30-day Public Scoping Period closed on September 29.
A huge THANK YOU to individuals, nonprofits, and agencies for submitting your comments.
WHAT'S NEXT? Please check back here soon for details on how you can stay involved.
In the meantime, please read the Provide, Protect, Preserve Alternative recently submitted to Permit Sonoma by SCALE and SV Next 100.
The Provide, Protect, Preserve Alternative was developed by a small working group of representatives from Sonoma Community Advocates for a Liveable Environment (SCALE) and Sonoma Valley Next 100 in response to public health and safety concerns, environmental site constraints, non-compliance with CEQA (as identified by the Sonoma County Superior Court in the SCALE decision), and broad community input. It represents a balanced and environmentally superior approach to redevelopment of the site.
To read the Provide, Protect, Preserve Alternative, click on the button below. CLICK HERE to read the SCALE SDC EIR scoping comments letter.
Good News on the Legal Front
March 11, 2026: Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Broderick ruled against DGS (Department of General Services) in favor of Sonoma Valley Next 100 to proceed to trial. The next phase will be discovery and pre-trial motions about the disposition of the former Sonoma Developmental Center.
CLICK HERE to read Sonoma Valley Sun article.
CLICK HERE to read Kenwood Press article.
CLICK HERE to donate to Sonoma Valley Next 100.