County looks to purchase former Kmart building for HHS offices

Sutter County is now in the process of purchasing the former Kmart building in Yuba City with plans to convert it into the future home of the Health and Human Services department.

The county currently holds a long-term lease for the property at 850 Gray Avenue. Officials entered into an agreement with the property owner in October to purchase the facility for $8.24 million.

“We have made an offer on the property, which has been accepted by the owners and are currently in a 120-day due diligence period to determine whether we want to move forward with the purchase,” said Leanne Link, assistant county administrator for Sutter County.

Link said the due diligence period gives the county the opportunity to fully assess the building’s condition, the bid market, and financing mechanisms that are best suited for plans moving forward.

The nearly 85,000-squarefoot building will allow county residents the opportunity to access a number of different Sutter County Public Health system services in one location. Currently, HHS staff is located in several different buildings

the lake.

Each fish weighs up to threequarters of a pound when first placed in the pens. By next spring, they’ll weigh closer to 2.5 pounds when they are released into the lake.

“Our plants are coming from the hatchery, so placing them in the pens allows them to better acclimate to the environment, which ultimately makes them stronger and healthier,” Young said.

His favorite part of the annual event is getting to see the reaction on the kids’ faces.

“They get so excited and have great enthusiasm to do it. Our staff could do it ourselves, but it’s nice to let the energy of the 5-8 year old kids help in that process,” Young said. “Seeing that excitement is the best part, and also their parents get enjoyment out of that too seeing their kids get this experience.”

Young said it’s a joint effort every year, with Collins Lake crews caring for the fish, the Department of Fish and Wildlife supplying the fish, and organizations like the California Inland Fisheries Foundation, Inc. and Kokanee Power providing support for fish food.

The trout will continue to grow in the pens over the next 4-5 months before being released in the spring. Young said some of the fishermen he’s talked to lately have been catching 5-7 pound rainbow trout out of the lake, and some have reported landing a 12 pounder.

“These past couple weeks we’ve seen a ton of trout activity, so it’s great to see these healthy fish and also the quantity,” Young said. “So, people looking for some outdoor recreation, we still have great fishing right now and that will continue until the winter weather moves in.”