= The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has unveiled plans for a major new facility in Folsom, marking a major investment in the region’s infrastructure. The proposed $145 million project will include a 100,000-square-foot administrative center and a 100-foot communications tower on a 5-acre site near the American River.
The new facility will be located at 102 Woodmere Road, a strategically located area 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 buildings to the north, south and east. The site, which was prepared for construction through mass grading, includes a cul-de-sac, Shore Court, running north from Woodmere Road. The property was reportedly purchased by SMUD in 2020 for $3 million, as noted in a previous Sacramento Business Journal report.
SMUD’s letter of intent outlines a phased approach to building the new operations center. The first phase will construct 4,600 square feet of the administration building and communications tower. The second phase will complete the remaining 4,600 square feet of the facility. The building will house offices for SMUD employees as well as operations facilities critical to the utility’s mission of providing reliable energy to its customers.
“The Folsom Administrative Operations Building Project includes the construction of a modern power control center and related facilities and is critical to providing reliable service to the growing region. The project is an investment that will ensure SMUD’s grid remains modern, resilient and reliable,” SMUD spokesman Gamaliel Ortiz said in a statement.
This new facility is part of SMUD’s broader strategy to increase its operational capacity and ensure the stability of its electric 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 power grid, is expected to foster greater collaboration and efficiency in energy management. CAL ISO’s headquarters, located just three miles from the proposed SMUD facility, plays a critical role in managing the flow of electricity throughout California.
The project site is currently undeveloped land in an industrial and office area of Folsom, making it an ideal location for the new operations center. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide over 100 jobs, contributing to the local economy and providing new jobs for local residents.
The start date of construction has not yet been announced. SMUD is in the process of soliciting bids from construction companies for the project. The goal is to have the facility fully operational by 2028.
The construction of this new facility underscores SMUD’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and resilient energy grid that can meet the demands of a growing population and increasing energy needs. The investment in Folsom is viewed as a long-term strategic move that will help ensure the region’s energy infrastructure remains resilient and adaptable in the face of future challenges.
More information about the Folsom Administrative Operations Building Project, as well as the letter of intent and other related documents, can be found here on the SMUD website.
Image material: SMUD
