Larry Morgon is retiring from the city of Redding. He has been a tireless advocate for the entire effort to revitalize and re-grow the downtown. In late 1994, early 1995, the Redding Redevelopment Agency created a focus group to explore ways of trying to do something about the downward spiral of downtown. Larry was designated by then-city-manager Mike Warren as the liaison between the citizen group and city staff. He was tireless. Larry went to meeting after meeting and often had to listen to the same discussion over again because somebody had a bee in his or her bonnet. He never got impatient and he never stopped listening. And he had some great ideas.
There are a lot of good people who work for the City, but Larry is extraordinary. Just because an idea was new was no reason not to explore it and see if it made sense. When faced with a new idea or suggestion, his attitude was, “Lets see if we can figure out a way to do that.”
I am convinced that Library Park, the demonstration blocks on Market and Yuba streets, and most of the other improvements that have happened downtown would not have happened, or at least not have happened so easily, if Larry had not been involved. He has a way of bringing people together and helping them to see their common goals instead of their differences.
Over time, Larry became the head of the Redevelopment Agency,and had the privilege (maybe agony) of presiding over the removal of the roof over the streets in what used to be the Mall and the planning of what is surely to be a wonderful renaissance in the middle of our city.
We will miss Larry, with his infectious grin and his positive attitude. I am just glad to be able to report that he is not leaving and intends to stay involved in what is in many respects “his” project: the rebirth of downtown Redding.
Dugan Barr has practiced law in Redding since 1967. He has tried more than 200 civil jury cases to verdict. He is married and has five children. The offices of Barr and Mudford, LLP, are at 1824 Court St. in Redding and can be reached at 243-8008.
