Re-unified and Re-energized

After decades of debate and a year of construction, a reunified Courthouse Square opened to the public this past Saturday with a dedication and ribbon cutting by the City of Santa Rosa, followed by a community festival presented by the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber. "The idea of the festival is to feature and highlight what the square can be, and the kinds of things that can happen there," said Janet Rogers, VP of Downtown for the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber.

In the first week since its debut, the energy and excitement is palpable among the downtown lunchtime crowd. Tonight will see the launch of the popular Wednesday Night Market in the newly configured space, and on May 13 thousands will converge on the square for the finish of the Ironman 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon.

Although there are still some finishing touches to be completed, including the addition of a redesigned fountain and decorative light columns at the corners of the grassy center, the reunified Courthouse Square is quickly becoming a vibrant downtown core and beating heart of Santa Rosa.