Mine Shaft building move on hold in Rancho Cordova - Sacramento Business Journal

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An ambitious plan to move a well-known Rancho Cordova building is on hold — but it's still expected to happen eventually.

This is part of a series of stories about growth in the city of Rancho Cordova.

An ambitious plan to move a well-known Rancho Cordova building is on hold — but it's still expected to happen eventually.

That building is the Mine Shaft, a big structure visible from Highway 50 that once was an arcade and entertainment center. Heartstoppers Haunted House just wrapped up its annual stay at the property.

Last October, the Business Journal reported that the Mine Shaft's new future could kick into high gear after the haunted house's 2024 run.

Turns out, you'll likely have to wait a bit longer.

"We are excited to get started on the next chapter in the life of the iconic (Mine Shaft) property, but are finishing up our due diligence. We want to get it right," said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the nonprofit Cordova Community Council, in an email. The council took ownership of the property in 2018.

The Mine Shaft's time as an arcade and event center ended around the late '80s or early '90s. Real estate investor Patrick Willis later acquired the property at 2300 Mine Shaft Lane, and for a while it was used for automotive sales. In 2018, Willis donated the property to the Cordova Community Council. The 16,300-square-foot Mine Shaft building sits on an 11.4-acre site.

The building is gradually being prepared to be reinvented again.

Since early 2023, the Business Journal has followed a plan that involves moving the Mine Shaft building, expanding it, and turning the venue into a year-round event space. The existing building would be moved to the east of its current location. The relocated Mine Shaft could become a gathering place for large banquets, concerts and theater performances.

Rancho Cordova is working on a new interchange with Highway 50 on the west side of the property, a project that requires the city to buy a portion of the Mine Shaft property, which includes the building, from the Cordova Community Council. The city would then eventually donate the building back to the council.

The city of Rancho Cordova has approved funding for the Mine Shaft property and project. The city says it's approved $4.89 million to acquire the right-of-way for the interchange, which includes the building and property; $1.3 million to move the building; and an $8.8 million forgivable loan to the Cordova Community Council.

The nonprofit initially submitted a plan for a smaller project that had larger options, according to Blanchard.

"Much to our delight, the City Council decided to 'go big' and approved a larger project ... But it is a greater project than we first envisioned, so we are doing extra due diligence to make sure we have it right," Blanchard said in an email.

The Business Journal previously reported the expansion could include event space, a catering kitchen, box office, new restrooms and a greater-capacity elevator for events on all three levels of the building.

The aforementioned $8.8 million forgivable loan is for a "Great Space" expansion plan, which was once expected to cost more than $10 million. The Cordova Community Council is reviewing estimated costs, according to Blanchard.

"Our nonprofit organization wants to make sure we have the best plan possible to deliver another great amenity to the community of Rancho Cordova," Blanchard said in an email.