About the Project

In April 2023, the Redding City Council began a community-led process to update the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan. The purpose of this project is to reintroduce the city and community to the river by creating a long-term vision for 380 acres of public and private land and water along the Sacramento River. The Specific Plan document, which will be developed based on significant community engagement and discussion, will ultimately frame a community vision and establish goals, policies, and development standards to guide public and private development, land stewardship and conservation, roadway and infrastructure projects, and other activities within the study area. It will also include a series of implementation strategies necessary to transform the community vision for the Riverfront into a reality. 

Proposed Project Goals

Initial project goals include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Engage the community in an open and transparent conversation regarding the future of the Riverfront area 
  • Identify opportunities for potential new uses, areas of preservation, and/or areas of natural resource enhancement
  • Act as catalyst for new investment and high-quality development
  • Establish clear direction for design and function
  • Consider the area’s history and character
  • Integrate civic art and landscape design
  • Ensure adaptability over time

August 2023 Community Open House

 

Sacramento River waterfront

Project Overview 

In August 2023, the City held a Community Open House that included an overview presentation about the Redding Riverfront Project. Click the video below to view the presentation, which includes background on the area, project purpose and proposed goals, existing features and conditions, and information about the community engagement process. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

The following are questions raised by the community about both the riverfront area and the Specific Plan project. The Project Team will update this page with additional questions/responses during the project. Please check this page regularly for updates.

What is a Specific Plan?

A Redding Riverfront Specific Plan will become a planning document used by the City and community to implement the broader direction of the Redding General Plan 2045. Once adopted by the City Council, it will include a vision and guiding principles for the area supported by a series of specific policies, development standards and programs unique to the riverfront area. This includes a land use plan for the location and intensity of uses; an implementation strategy; public infrastructure required to serve the area; and capital projects and infrastructure funding options necessary to implement the plan. 

Who is the Project Team?

The Redding Riverfront Specific Plan project is being led by City of Redding staff at the direction of the City Council. The Project Team is made up of City staff and consultants. In April 2023, the City hired MIG to lead the specific plan project. MIG is a planning, environmental, design, and engagement firm from Sacramento. MIG is supported by additional engagement, design, and technical experts from Tawaw Architecture Collaborative (indigenous community engagement and design), GHD (mobility and infrastructure), Populous (architectural design), Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects (architectural design/local Redding conditions), and Basin Research (cultural resources).

How long will the Specific Plan project take?

The Redding Riverfront Specific Plan project is anticipated to take approximately three years to complete. See the Schedule page for detailed information on each of the four project phases. 

Will this project include environmental analysis?

Yes. The updated Redding Riverfront Specific Plan is subject to environmental review and documentation under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Project Team anticipates that the Redding Riverfront Specific Plan will require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The EIR will evaluate potential environmental impacts of plan implementation. It will also include mitigation measures to reduce these impacts. Please see the Environmental Review page for more information and the latest materials. 

What is the Community Coalition?

The City of Redding formed a Community Coalition to advise the project team during the development of the Riverfront Specific Plan. Coalition members include representatives from a variety of groups, organizations, and represent a range of community interests and perspectives (see below for a list of members and their affiliations). Please see the Community Coalition page for more information on meeting times and materials.  

How can the community be involved in the project?

Robust and transparent community involvement is vital to this project. There will be multiple opportunities for community members to participate both in-person and on-line. The Project Team has prepared a detailed Community Engagement Strategy that includes engagement goals and metrics to ensure broad participation. Over the course of the three-year process, the Project Team will ensure that there is wide community agreement on the vision, goals, projects, and components included in the updated plan. Please see the Meetings and Feedback page for more information on events and regularly check the Events Calendar for information on upcoming events.