Riverbank rejects city hall on site of demolished Del Rio Theater. The new plan
Riverbank’s quest for a new city hall has pivoted from the site of the demolished Del Rio Theater. The plan now is to build upward at one of the three buildings that house city offices.
The Del Rio land purchase got votes April 28 from only Mayor Rachel Hernandez and Councilmember Cindy Fosi. The $840,000 price was a concern for dissenting members Stacy Call, John Pimentel and Luis Uribe.
Critics also said the new city hall could cost about $40 million to erect and the city does not have a funding plan. City Manager Marisela Garcia said the actual figure will be determined by architects working on the project.
The 1.1-acre Del Rio site is at Third and Atchison streets. The alternative plan involves adding four stories at City Hall North, now a single floor a block away. It would require leasing temporary staff quarters during construction.
Architecture Plus of Modesto was hired to design about 40,000 square feet of city office space. Employees are now spread across City Halls North and South, which Riverbank owns, and the leased City Hall East.
The expanded building would have a public lobby, a council chamber and offices for the city manager, finance, recreation, building permits and some other needs. The police and fire departments would remain in their current quarters.
The Del Rio opened in 1947 and screened movie into the early 1970s. Later uses included a restaurant and a bingo hall. The building fell into disrepair as renovation plans were discussed.
The city purchased the Del Rio in 2006 for $1.7 million with the hope of creating an arts hub. The renovation costs turned out to be much more than expected.
Riverbank sold the theater to businessman Tony Zaia for $175,000 in 2016. He paid for the 2023 demolition and planned to erect three stories of housing atop ground-floor shops.
The rejected $840,000 price was from an appraisal by Cogdill & Associates of Modesto. The firm said the “highest and best use” was commercial.
The April 28 agenda also included a $37,125 payment to Architecture Plus for further design. This could return when the City Hall North proposal is back before the council.
Riverbank could pay for the building expansion with fees charged to land developers and other sources to be determined.
This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 12:45 PM.
