Public Comments

I am a 1980 Redding Rodeo Queen. I have attended the Redding Rodeo for at least 50 years. I am also a life member of the Redding Women’s Rodeo Association. The Redding Rodeo is one of the oldest Events that continues to grow and bring more money to Redding every year. It is essential that the rodeo grounds stay in its current location and attain a long term lease so they are able to make the necessary improvements to continue its successful operations.

Please leave the rodeo grounds alone. They are an historic location that serves to bring together people from all walks of life in Redding and Shasta county .

I am writing in support of maintaining the Redding Rodeo grounds in its current location. The Redding Rodeo Association is a pillar of this community and always has been since it’s inception. My grandfather was a charter member of the Shasta County Sheriff Posse, now the Redding Rodeo Association. Any plans for the Riverfront Development must incorporate and prioritize the historic significance and economic benefit of protecting and preserving the current location of the Redding Rodeo Grounds.

How much revenue does this rodeo bring to the City of Redding and the local businesses? Please don't take this land for commercial development. What a shame that every inch of spare ground has to be commercially developed. What will be left for future generations? It's all about money! What a shame.

The rodeo grounds, formally known as the posse grounds has been in the current location for longer that the people that are trying to take it have been alive..they don't know or understand or care about the history of it..leave it alone, sign the 25 year lease and move on to something else, .like the homeless and crime problems.

Just a quick comment to say I’m all for the riverfront revitalization BUT I also support our wonderful Redding Rodeo staying right where it is. If it ever comes down to having to choose between the two, the Rodeo in its current location is going to get my vote. Thank you for listening to your residents!

a river walk, ala San Antonio?

Please keep the rodeo grounds where it is and provide a long term lease.

I fully support developing the Redding riverfront area into a multi-use area with retail, dining, parks, trails and performing arts center/sports venue. I think it is time to move the rodeo grounds as this beautiful riverfront area is not being showcased by the rodeo grounds. The riverfront is a gem and should be developed for our residents and tourists to enjoy.

I would be happy if the City just repainted the worn out street striping on Riverside before someone gets in a wreck and sues the City. The new restrooms at Bonneyview and Caldwell boat launches are an example of why it is a waste of time and money to build anything nice unless you deal with the homeless bums first. Sulfur Creek hill area looks a lot better after the City cleaned it up, but the bums are moving back in. My information is that most of the displaced persons just moved further upstream where there is more cover, shade and water.

Improve Nor Pon boat access to include gravel raft/drift boat launch, allowing for easy public access for short fish/float trips (after work and short mornings) not having to commit to longer
floats.
Developing a fantasy fountain type of park at the sundial Bridge to attract young ones and families to that area on those hot summer days/evenings we have in Redding. Thank for the efforts being put into this project.

Hello this is my third comment about the Redding Riverfront specific plan. I’ve already provided a comment about an extension of the Sacramento River Trail and a comment about housing along the river front.

My third comment is about ownership and maintenance.

By no means should the city of Redding give up any waterfront that they own. Any relinquishment of city of Redding owned property along the riverfront should entail a perpetual recreation, conservation or the like easement along the river front for a wide buffer to benefit the Redding community.

The riverfront between State Route 44 and Cypress, between Park Marina Drive on the west side and east to the Sacramento River needs to be maintained. Whomever the land owners or lease holders are, if they have no intention of beautifying the area and making that portion of the river a part of the Redding community, they should be required to keep it clean and well maintained. This maintenance is two-fold. Adjacent to the water, blackberry bushes and shrubbery collect debris floating by in the river or caught in the wind along the river (lots of micro plastics). The Himalayan blackberry, star thistle, pampas grass, etc. needs to be systematically cut back over time and burned to allow native species in. To the east of Park Marina Drive, some of the buildings and asphalt parking lots look to be in constant states of disrepair with boards covering broken windows, burned buildings, large for rent/lease signs, and big dirt/gravel/star thistle hellscapes. Just writing this makes me think that a good term for some portions is “abandoned.” Put simply, if land owners/lease holders are going to do nothing to improve this area for the community, it at least needs to be required to follow codes and good neighbor habits. Fingers crossed

Thank you again for this opportunity to provide comments..

Good morning. I have already submitted one comment regarding a river trail connection along the riverfront specific plan area. This is my second comment that I would like to submit regarding the Redding Riverfront specific plan.

I would like to encourage more housing along the riverfront.

First, the more eyes that we have on an area the better behaved people will be. Along with an extension of the Sacramento River Trail in the specific plan area, more people living in this area means there are more eyes on the area. More usage and more nearby residents will decrease the dumping, littering, graffiti , personal hygiene plastic, bowel movements, toilet paper, stoves, mattresses, living supplies, etc. that mar the gem of the natural environment of the Sacramento River.

The city of Redding, like many other places across California has a significant housing issue. We are not able to house the people that live here. The housing should not be for short term rentals. We need people living in the area so that they will appreciate the area and take care of the area.

We do not need more office space. I believe that a recent review showed that Redding or Shasta County has a significant amount of empty office space. No more office space is needed. Typical office hours are from 8 to 5. We need housing in this area so when people come home from work after five until they leave in the morning there is a homey presence and pride of place.

The housing that I am talking about is not large, not something that would take away from the natural beauty. Think duplex’s or quads with really small yards that focus on the backporch, i.e., the river flowing serenely by with ducks, geese, heron, jumping fish, and angler viewing for entertainment. Ever housing unit built helps our community. My recommendation does not mean 75 units need to be built. Ten would make a difference to that area.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

I am all for the strategic development of our riverfront areas. It is a tragedy that the most desirable area of our city for tourism and residents is overrun with burned-out buildings, homelessness, boarded-up hotels, and old/dilapidated rodeo grounds. I fully support the Redding Rodeo however, I would like for them to move elsewhere in Redding and make the area where the Rodeo grounds now stand into something better. I get that the rodeo has a long history in Redding however, it doesn't mean that history requires it to stay in the location where it is now. It's crazy that such a premium location is used once or twice a year, run-down, and dumpy. Let's figure out how to move the rodeo to a better, more helpful location in Redding and do something amazing with the current riverfront area. I love the idea of a river walk with shops, restaurants/breweries. Let's make this area something to be proud of! Thank you.

I am in favor of change and growth in the Riverfront area. I like the Rodeo and have been to the Rodeo but another bigger location for the Rodeo grounds would be preferable, in my opinion. I went to the Rodeo in 2023 and while I enjoyed the festivities and the show, the grandstands are a death trap - to put it mildly. I can't even imagine what an emergency situation would look like in there. The whole area needs a major upgrade - like torn to the ground and rebuilt upgrade - if the Rodeo is to stay in the same location. For the money and investment it would take to build brand-new Rodeo Grounds in that location, you should use the location more than a handful of times per year. We are wasting some of the most beautiful and prime real estate in Redding on just a few select events a year. The Redding Civic puts on great entertainment, but the footprint of that building coupled with the large parking lot sprawl is a shame for the real estate it sits on. I am 100% in favor of reimagining what that area could look like in 10 years with shopping, dining, trails, bike rentals - even more high-end lodging like the Sheraton. A large multipurpose event center could incorporate the Rodeo AND the Redding Civic, plus many other amenities that would benefit our tax base and bring tourism dollars to our local economy. Now is the time to dream big and create an amazing future for the heart of our city. We can do better. The Rodeo and Civic can do better. Let's do better! Vision and change are hard but necessary to move Redding forward. Please use this opportunity to make big plans for this area. Redding likes to think small and stay small. Let's dream big and grow. Don't pass up this prime opportunity for this prime real estate to make a lasting change for our future generations. Thank you for your time and consideration!

I am very concerned that the proposed riverfront plan will primarily focus on retail businesses. I understand the appeal of retail businesses, and agree space for some should be included. However, unique businesses, such as Aqua Golf, the Redding Rodeo grounds, etc should remain and be included with the updated riverfront plan.

It is important that we recognize and protect local business owners and historical events and locations, such as the Rodeo. The unique history of our area should be recognized and embraced. The Redding Riverfront plan should not look or feel like other Riverfront attractions.

Fire resistant, quake safe, climate friendly: Mass timber is on the rise as a construction alternative

https://www.geekwire.com/2023/fire-resistant-quake-safe-climate-friendly-mass-timber-is-on-the-rise-as-a-construction-alternative/

Can you imagine a beautiful 3 - 4 story mass timber on the water front? That would draw tourists to Redding!

I just finished watching Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix. One of the mantras that Dan Buettner repeats is, "Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice." He is referring to infrastructure and healthy food availability. I am an avid walker and biker. My husband and I live very close to downtown Redding and find it challenging to find a safe path to bike to the River Trail. Also, we are close enough to walk to downtown to restaurants, shopping, and events, but don't feel safe doing so. The walk isn't inviting, the infrastructure is inconsistent, and there are sketchy people along the way.

The River Trail is an incomparable resource and yet, it is challenging to access for many people without getting in their cars. My suggestion is to create safe, inviting walk and bike ways throughout the downtown and adjoining neighborhoods. The city has come a very long way in this regard, but as a citizen of "near-downtown," my experience is that there are still obstacles to walking and biking. I would love to see this a major focus so that we don't always have to be in our cars to access the nearby beauty and culture of Redding.

As an aside, more grocery stores would be a benefit. Even small, bodega type stores or Trader Joe's size type stores would be welcome in the downtown core.

I believe it would be beneficial to include an open space with tables and benches and shade (whether a structure or trees) near the Sundial Bridge. Currently, there is limited seating space near the bridge, and the benches near the biking trail are dangerous to allow a child to roam near.

Having a community space to relax with children would give an alternative to those wishing to walk the trails, and instead give an opportunity to stay longer to enjoy the space for a picnic or play within view of the Sundial Bridge.

Hi, and thank you for the opportunity to share my ideas for the Redding Riverfront.

My first priority for the riverfront is a continuation of the Sacramento River Trail (SRT) using tunnels, boardwalks, and other transformational trail designs. Please review the Lady Bird Lake Trail (aka Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake, ) in Austin, Tx for my inspiration. Information about the Austin trail can be found here: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/ann-and-roy-butler-hike-and-bike-trail-and-boardwalk-lady-bird-lake.

What I am proposing here would be for the the lands south and west of the Sacramento River starting at the Turtle Bay Loop Trail.

From the Turtle Bay Loop Trail the Sacramento River Trail would maintain the closest possible proximity to the flowing river as possible.
-SRT needs to tunnel under State Route 44 as close to the river as possible but east of the Park Marina/Butte/Sundial Bridge Drive interchange.
-After the tunnel under SR 44, my proposed SRT would immediately follow back along SR 44 (if needed) to the east at ground level and bridge over to Village Drive or a little to the west of the drive to maintain proximity to water.
-SRT would then separate alignment with Village Drive and create permanent/semi permanent the dirt trail between the two bodies of water north Kutras Lake, following along the west side of the more southerly body of water to reconnect with a Village Drive alignment.
-My proposed SRT could then go two different ways: 1) Follow the Village Drive alignment to the east and south and then use a boardwalk (reference Austin trail) to traverse along the spit of land that separates the Sacramento River from Kutras Lake all the way around Kutras Lake back to the Marina RV Park Area (preferred) or 2) Cross over Village Drive and head behind Aqua Golf Driving Range in a southerly direction again maintaining the closest possible proximity to the flowing river as possible to the Marina RV Park Area.
-My proposed SRT would then follow adjacent to the river alignment using boardwalks as needed to proceed beneath Cypress Bridge to the Free Bridge area and trails.
-Finally my proposed SRT would cross over the river on a new and simple “Free Bridge” over to Nur Pon Open Space and trails.

Thank you for this opportunity! Go big and make it transformational.

Whenever someone mentions what the City of Redding should do about the Sacramento Riverfront, I have visions of the River Walk in San Antonio. But looking at pictures of that lovely place, it's too built up. We need to keep the majority of our riverfront as riparian as possible, I think, and also protect the sacred native areas of the river that are within the city boundaries. But it would be lovely to have a few more eateries along the river, and possibly a few shops too. Is there a way to do both?

I do NOT think there should be housing or private commercial property right along the river - because that prevents the rest of the population from enjoying both the natural and any developed areas along the river. It should be open to the public, whatever is done there.

I would like to recommend consideration of adding a whitewater park feature to the plan. A whitewater park would be a location where the river channel is modified to create features that allow for surfing, rafting, floating, and playing in the water. These features attract both participants and spectators. Many communities have recognized the multiple benefits of whitewater parks and are seeing benefits including:

Quality of Life — River-based parks inspire a community to reconnect with its river in ways not previously
available, delivering opportunities for outdoor recreation, leisure, community events, and more. When paired
with adjacent land development and waterfront revitalization efforts, they become gathering places that
attract walkers, families, picnicker, and spectators, in addition to the in-stream uses of kayaking, rafting,
surfing, wading, and floating.

Environmental — River modification usually includes the restoration or rehabilitation of in-stream and
riparian habitat. This improves river system and ecosystem functions, and can support flood
mitigation strategies.

Economic — Whitewater parks across the country are generating substantial economic impacts for their
host communities as users spend money at local restaurants, lodging and retail establishments. These
venues open the doors to other recreational opportunities such as zip-lining, rock-climbing, concerts and
festivals, hiking and biking, attracting a broad array of users and corresponding revenues. A whitewater
park’s economic contribution depends largely on the park’s scale and market size, with smaller parks shown
to generate incremental spending in the $500,00 to $750,000 range per year while larger parks contribute
as much as $19 million annually to local economies.

Branding — Whitewater parks provide communities with a closer connection to their rivers and become
focal points for outdoor lifestyle experiences. They serve as destinations for outdoor recreation‐-based
tourism, supporting a community’s overall image and brand.

Every band that tours travels up and down Interstate 5. From the new, up and coming artists to the time tested veterans. I-5 is the major cooridor between Vancouver Canada and San Diego California.

Redding is missing the boat by not having a location for these artists to stop and play. The revenue loss is tremendous.

Not only would this provide a grat family activity, but schools and various non-profit groups could also use the facility. It would bring folks from the outlying areas of the northstate to Redding, and those people will support the GEM (Gas, eats, motel) industry.

Its cooler by the river, and if it is build with the summer sun taken into consideration, the crowds and performers could be in the shade, which would be ideal.

If we build it, they will come. Please build a state of the art ampitheatre with seats and a lawn area. Don't go cheap on the seating capacity. Bigger artists bring bigger crowds, and they will stop here if there is a facility for them.

Respect Redding's history and tradition by extending their lease now

I saw an article about the Community Coalition and Riverfront plan and how they were asking for residents what they would like to see. I love how Redding protects the natural environment and all wildlife throughout the riverfront, its always a joy to walk into turtlebay and along hte rivertrail as well as see the river curve around park marina.
I wanted to give some feedback. In additional to all that we already have, Can you make another spot with some nice trails that people can walk along the riverfront but also have shops and stores that people can go into if they want to eat and watch the river, or if they want to take a rest and need the bathroom, kind of like they do in vancouver washington? That would be so much fun, they could put beautiful foliage and keep the buildings nature focused and nice to look at. It would a great place for the community to do something with family and friends, especially if they put a cozy restaurant in there (everyone loves those! View 202, Mosaic, From the Hearth). It would be nice to drive over to a new spot walk down another rivertrail as long as you want and then be able to sit and eat and watch river/people go by, see new items from stores and shops that would be there. IT would also be amazing if Redding made an Art Museum. I'm originally from Santa Barbara and people love to go to the Art Museum and cafe there and its so great for culture, education, student field trips, brings in alot of revenue for the city as well. Thank you and have a great day!
Rebecca Estrada, Resident