Sponsored
![Our Executive Leadership (L to R): Brian Sobel, Chairman of the Board, Russ Colombo, CEO and Tim Myers, President & COO](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/bom_exec_leadership_1500x795.jpg?1629920579)
Building Stronger Communities Starts with Strong Relationships
American River Bank a Part of Bank of Marin
At Bank of Marin, building strong relationships and giving back are how we have helped Bay Area communities thrive for more than 30 years. In partnership with the experienced professionals at American River Bank, we are working to build upon long-standing relationships within the Greater Sacramento Region.
![Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen speaks about the history behind Old Town Plaza and the efforts to reboot the community gathering center. (Photos by Rahul Lal)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/elk_grove_mayor_speaks_on_grand_reopening.jpg?1629087903)
Photos: Elk Grove Community Returns to Rebooted, Historic Old Town Plaza
Elk Grove’s Old Town Plaza, a community gathering area built on the site of a historic train depot, opened to the public July 21 after 13 months of construction.
![This two-story, one-bedroom accessory dwelling unit design by Applied Architecture uses just 16-by-21 feet of yard space. It comes in various designs, including traditional and contemporary with solar options. (Rendering courtesy of Applied Architecture)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0810_feat_reshousing_courtesyofappliedarchitecture_lead.jpg?1627940464)
The Granny Flat Has a New Name
Architects are teaming with local jurisdictions to include accessory dwelling units and tiny houses in the affordable housing conversation.
![Kizzie Anderson, graduate of Saint John’s Program for Real Change, cuts the ribbon to officially open Saint John’s Square, joined by (from left) Michael Wagener, board chair of HomeAid Sacramento; Eric Guerra, councilman of City of Sacramento District 6; Ken Wenham, president/CEO of Roebblen Contracting, Inc. and Julie Hirota, CEO of Saint John’s Program for Real Change. (Photos by Lindsay Oxford)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/img_0286_1.jpg?1627488207)
Opening the Door to New Beginnings
The newly opened Saint John’s Square, a project associated with Saint John’s Program for Real Change, provides housing to 55 women and children.
![The former Fire Station No. 1. in Roseville is no longer slated to be converted into a college campus. (Photos by Graham Womack)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0721_blog_statuscheck.jpg?1626437133)
Status Check: School’s Out at the Old Fire Station
City of Roseville, University Development Foundation and Hillsdale College drop plans to bring higher education to former downtown fire station
For the second time, a fire station in downtown Roseville has lost its chance to become a university campus.
![Motel Drive is an area of Fresno that city leaders say has long been overrun by drugs, human trafficking, and prostitution. (Shutterstock photo)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/shutterstock_189772583.jpg?1625682030)
Inside One City’s Multimillion-Dollar Effort to Convert Motels Into Affordable Housing
State-funding efforts to shelter unhoused residents in converted motels could be a game-changer for Motel Drive, an area of Fresno that city leaders say has long been overrun by drugs, human trafficking, and prostitution.
![On June 16, the Kings, in tandem with the City of Sacramento and California Northstate University, announced it had reached a deal for CNU to build a medical school and teaching hospital at the site of the Sleep Train Arena. (Rendering courtesy of the Sacramento Kings)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0621_blog_statuscheck_logo_0.jpg?1624469444)
Status Check: A New Use for the Former Home of the Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings’ former arena site in Natomas is slated for new life.
![Charlie Gardner is general manager of @the Grounds. (Photo by Ryan Angel Meza)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0621_dept_discourse_ryan-angel-meza.jpg?1622598853)
A New Era for Roseville’s Placer County Fairgrounds
Comstock’s spoke to Charlie Gardner, general manager of @the Grounds in Roseville, about new facilities on the renovated fairgrounds, including the $34 million Roebbelen Center.
Sponsored
![[Pictured L-R]: Founding Principals Jack Paddon and Jim Williams](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/wp_main_1500x795.jpg?1622660453)
Williams + Paddon
Celebrating 40th Corporate Anniversary
Established in 1981, Williams + Paddon is now celebrating 40 years of quality architecture services. This multi-disciplinary firm provides architecture, interior design, programming and master planning services with a commitment to design excellence, technological leadership, responsive service, sound business practices and environmental stewardship.
![David Mering, who founded his branding company in 1985, agreed to merge with TSY Enterprises in 2020 after his agency was hit hard by the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Fred Greaves)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/feat_mergers_fred-greaves_lead.jpg?1618337398)
Maturity Loves Company
Trends point to a growing interest in mergers and acquisitions
The recent spate of mergers and acquisitions in the Capital Region tells a story beyond the pandemic, speaking to growing interest in the area and a red-hot financial craze that catapults private companies into public markets.