Donner Pass Road
Truckee, CA 96161

The south balloon area within the Downtown Extension District features the commercial heart of The Railyard. Featuring entitlements for up to 90,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office, Commercial Square is supported by the 250 residential units within the Railyard as well as the tremendously high traffic counts through Downtown Truckee, comprised of residents and tourists alike, on a daily basis. Featuring holiday surges that have delivered among the highest grossing intensities in the country, retail opportunities abound.  

The Railyard Master Plan Area consists of approximately 75 acres located within Truckee’s Downtown. The Master Plan supports development of an eclectic mix of building types and uses within an attractive, pedestrian-oriented neighborhood. The developer and Town set a series of community focused objectives for the project:
 • Encourage vibrant and economically sustainable mixed-use redevelopment that offers
diverse retail, entertainment, employment and housing opportunities.
• Provide a connected community with places that are easily accessible to pedestrians,
bicyclists and drivers.
• Create an enjoyable public realm with a strong sense of place that compliments Truckee’s unique historical and mountain town character.
• Encourage efficient use of resources and improved environmental and community health

The Railyard has been an important part of Truckee’s history since the Town’s establishment in the early 1860’s. In 1863 a stage stop was founded at what is today the intersection of Jibboom and Bridge streets. Shortly thereafter, several lumber mills were established.
Beginning in 1890 and continuing for three decades, construction of rail line were administered and dispatched from Truckee. The railyard served as the headquarters fire trains and helper engines that aided trains climbing to the Donner Summit.
The 1950’s saw a return to the use of the railyard for milling. At the height of the industry, the sawmill could process 45 million board feet per year. In 1989, the railyard lumber mill closed. Shortly after, The Town of Truckee was incorporated recognizing the need to address the changing economy and take charge of planning Truckee’s future.
Through an extensive process over many years involving the Town of Truckee, citizen committees, stakeholders and the railroad, the Truckee Railyard has received enormous community support and unanimous approval.