As part of community growth in the 1990s, the City invested in two regional shopping centers; the Sand Dollar Center (completed in 1991), and the Edgewater Shopping Center (completed in 1997). These centers continue to stimulate the Peninsula economy, provide great local amenities for the City and neighboring communities, and generate revenues for the State of California and Sand City. Development of these shopping centers, also contributed to community revitalization by replacing a previously heavily industrial site with a community asset.

As part of encouraging sustainable and healthy community development, Sand City’s Planning and Building Department has written owner-friendly Zoning rules and variances to encourage creative rehabilitation of the old properties for artist lofts, home offices, ground-floor retail and residential income units.