Public Comments

"I strongly support the following guidelines requested by the Wintu Audubon Society. We need very careful development along the river corridor. Thank you. Judy Salter
1. Establish adequately sized and protected no-disturbance buffers for all bird and wildlife habitat areas (including riparian zones and including areas for which riparian values can be restored). Establish buffer zone sizes based on best available science tailored to the location, not guesswork.
2. Support the restoration of degraded riparian areas such as the area between the Sundial Bridge and the Rodeo Grounds, and the gravel pits and inundated borrow areas at Cypress Square.
3. Complete a comprehensive inventory of all bird and wildlife habitats and the species they support. (This has never been done, in spite of a series of City development decisions which should have required it, including the Museum, the Bridge, the Hotel and planned improvements to the boat launch area at the Rodeo Grounds. Additionally, the Plan Consultant does not have an adequate budget item for this recommended task.)
4. Limit public access improvements and require only low impact trails near riparian areas (paved trails require wider footprint of vegetation removal and cause greater pollutant runoff).
5. Limit invasive lighting and increased noise after dusk.
These are the primary issues Wintu Audubon has raised in the past. PLEASE let the City, the Coalition, and the Consultant know your values, concerns, and preferences by filing an email or in-person comment."

Please save our Rodeo Grounds and the wildlife of the river there

I have been personally involved with the Redding Rodeo for more than thirty years. My husband has been a member for 30 years, I have carried sponsor flags in parades and the Rodeo numerous times. My husband and I currently serve meals to the cowboys, stock contractors, security and other personnel during the rodeo. We are always proud to get feedback from the participants about how beautiful Redding is. The cowboys mention how they went fishing, golfing or skiing on our beautiful lakes while they are in town. They mention how their families enjoy the peaceful community, walking trails, museums.
We typically attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and as we meet the professional cowboys, we mention that we are members of the rodeo association and their faces light up! "We love Redding Rodeo. You treat us so well", are typical responses. The Redding Rodeo has such a positive impact on many people from around the country.
Please continue supporting our rodeo by the river. And financially support improving our grounds for all to enjoy.

I’ve been a member with this rodeo association since 1973 and so many good changes have been made since way back when. John Balma had made an agreement with the City of Redding for a 99 year lease in 1948. Office fire had destroyed all the important papers pertaining to this matter. Seems this lease should be honored till the year 2047 as agreed. Redding Rodeo has improved the grounds every year and brings in a lot of revenue to the City of Redding. Many people enjoy a good rodeo and even it’s a first time experience. I would be see the rodeo remain where it is for the integrity of the Balma family and John Balma’s vision. John had done so much for Redding.

As a life long citizen and local businesses owner, I would state that we need the rodeo grounds and the amazing Asphalt Cowboys that are associated with it. Both the grounds and the Cowboys do so much for our community other then just a annual rodeo. Not only do they support their youth group they support their community as a whole. They were vital during the Carr and Camp fires as an evacuation zone and for finding supplies and food for the displaced animals.

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.