Napa Exploring Purchase of Downtown Block with Former Pump Station

The 1.25-acre site includes a decommissioned pump station, playground, and skate park.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:39pm

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The city of Napa is in preliminary discussions with the Napa Sanitation District about potentially purchasing a 1.25-acre downtown block at 1210 West St. that includes a long-decommissioned pump station, a playground, and a skate park. The city believes the property could bring benefits to the community and fit into council goals related to economic development or maintaining public spaces.

Why it matters

This potential purchase represents an opportunity for the city to acquire a centrally located property and redevelop it in a way that better serves the community. The site's current uses, including the decommissioned pump station, may no longer be the best use of the land in the city's downtown area.

The details

The Napa City Council has directed city staff to begin preliminary discussions with the Napa Sanitation District about buying the 1.25-acre property. The sanitation district declared the property as surplus land in 2024, after determining it was no longer necessary for district use. The city believes the site could be redeveloped to align with economic development goals or maintain public spaces. However, details such as the purchase price and the cost of demolishing the pump station still need to be worked out.

  • In July 2008, the Napa Sanitation District declared the parcel unnecessary for any district use.
  • In July 2024, the Napa Sanitation District board declared the property as exempt surplus land.
  • On February 3, 2026, the Napa City Council directed city staff to begin preliminary discussions with the Napa Sanitation District about potentially buying the property.

The players

Napa Sanitation District

A five-person board that consists of a mix of two city of Napa elected officials, one Napa County elected official, and two appointed members. The district owns the 1.25-acre property and has declared it as surplus land.

Napa City Council

The governing body of the city of Napa, which has directed city staff to begin preliminary discussions with the Napa Sanitation District about potentially purchasing the 1.25-acre property.

Neal Harrison

The city of Napa's economic development manager, who stated that city staff believe the property could bring benefits to the community and fit into council goals.

Bernie Narvaez

A Napa City Council member who said it would be exciting if the city could make the site into something that better serves the community, but that the city needs to first determine if it is financially viable.

Mary Luros

A Napa City Council member who also sits on the Napa Sanitation District board, and said she thought the site could represent a great opportunity for the city, but wanted to know more about the costs of demolishing the pump station.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The city will continue discussions with the Napa Sanitation District about the potential purchase of the property, including evaluating the cost of demolishing the pump station and maintaining the existing park and skate park.

The takeaway

This potential acquisition represents an opportunity for the city of Napa to revitalize a centrally located property and repurpose it in a way that better serves the community's needs, whether through economic development initiatives or the preservation of public spaces.