Tulare staff outlines timelines for entertainment district, sportsplex, corporation yard and wastewater upgrade
February 07, 2026 | Tulare, Tulare County, California
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City staff used the Feb. 6 strategic planning session to walk the council through schedules and next steps for several of Tulare’s large, multi‑year projects.
On an entertainment district and an indoor sports facility, staff said three national developers attended a presubmittal meeting and proposals are due in mid‑March; firms will be shortlisted, interviewed and a scoping (term‑sheet) agreement will follow. Staff warned that developers expressed concern an indoor‑only sports facility might not attract large destination retailers and said they are exploring a regional sportsplex (indoor + outdoor) to increase visitors.
The city is continuing work on a business‑park/inland‑port concept and possible annexation of the Matheny Tract. Staff proposed forming a working group with property and chamber representatives, issuing a master‑plan RFQ (work expected to take about a year), and later negotiating a development agreement that phases buildout over several years.
On the corporation yard, staff said the existing 15‑acre site is functionally obsolete and scoping work is underway to define needs for a new facility (possibly ~45 acres) that could include shared admin space, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, mechanic bays and opportunities for city‑school partnerships. A consultant RFQ will follow.
The wastewater treatment plant expansion was characterized as legally required once existing capacity thresholds are reached; staff said a wastewater facilities report should be ready in the coming month and mentioned a preliminary order‑of‑magnitude estimate near $120,000,000. That analysis will be presented first to the BPU and then to council with a funding strategy.
Staff framed each of the projects as multi‑phase efforts, each likely to span multiple years depending on funding, environmental review and developer negotiation. Council members asked for continued updates and clearer milestones; staff said they will return the detailed scoping agreements and recommendations to council for review.
On an entertainment district and an indoor sports facility, staff said three national developers attended a presubmittal meeting and proposals are due in mid‑March; firms will be shortlisted, interviewed and a scoping (term‑sheet) agreement will follow. Staff warned that developers expressed concern an indoor‑only sports facility might not attract large destination retailers and said they are exploring a regional sportsplex (indoor + outdoor) to increase visitors.
The city is continuing work on a business‑park/inland‑port concept and possible annexation of the Matheny Tract. Staff proposed forming a working group with property and chamber representatives, issuing a master‑plan RFQ (work expected to take about a year), and later negotiating a development agreement that phases buildout over several years.
On the corporation yard, staff said the existing 15‑acre site is functionally obsolete and scoping work is underway to define needs for a new facility (possibly ~45 acres) that could include shared admin space, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, mechanic bays and opportunities for city‑school partnerships. A consultant RFQ will follow.
The wastewater treatment plant expansion was characterized as legally required once existing capacity thresholds are reached; staff said a wastewater facilities report should be ready in the coming month and mentioned a preliminary order‑of‑magnitude estimate near $120,000,000. That analysis will be presented first to the BPU and then to council with a funding strategy.
Staff framed each of the projects as multi‑phase efforts, each likely to span multiple years depending on funding, environmental review and developer negotiation. Council members asked for continued updates and clearer milestones; staff said they will return the detailed scoping agreements and recommendations to council for review.
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