The Downtown Redding Specific Plan, a blueprint intended to revamp downtown by creating a mix of retail and housing, comes before the Redding City Council on Tuesday for adoption.
If approved as expected, the plan sets in place design standards, land-use regulations, zoning changes and other guidelines to create “a revitalized Downtown Redding that is attractive, safe, economically vibrant, and respectful of historical and natural resources, and which has a lively mix of pedestrian- and bicycle-oriented shops, housing, workplaces, parks, and civic facilities, inviting to residents and visitors alike.”
Envisioned are several small plazas and parks, pedestrian-friendly streets, a mix of retail and housing and the enhancement of Redding’s newly designated Cultural District. The Downtown Specific Plan was last updated in 2010.
During its review of the plan, the Planning Commission suggested a change that would allow offices in the ground floor of existing street-fronting buildings. The plan originally called for retail, restaurants, entertainment and other “active” uses on the ground floor “to activate Downtown, increase foot traffic and provide more eyes on the street and the public realm.”
Michele Goedert, a downtown property manager, and Dugan Barr, an attorney and downtown property owner, both wrote letters seeking less restrictive policies for ground floor uses.
The draft Downtown Specific Plan can be viewed here.
March For Our Lives
Zach Jackson, a University Preparatory High School student, has organized a march to protest gun violence and show support for the students and faculty killed in the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Redding March For Our Lives begins at 6 p.m. Saturday at the north end of the Sundial Bridge. Following student speakers, the march will proceed to the Mt. Shasta Mall.
The stated goal of the march is “to demonstrate an act of unity for the Parkland, Florida students as well as their effort to propose a bill to Congress asking for stricter gun regulations and background checks without the influence of interest groups such as the NRA.”
Children’s Garden at the library
A groundbreaking ceremony earlier this month heralded the start of a project to transform the Redding Library’s underutilized garden space into a nature-themed outdoor classroom for families.
Dubbed the Outdoor Explore Children’s Garden, the project will include a water-play feature, dirt digging area, nature art space, a sensory walkway, musical instruments and more. The garden project is made possible by a grant from First 5 Shasta.
Homeless in the library
In a recent newsletter, Jean King, executive director of the Shasta Library Foundation, addressed the issue of homeless people using the library, which she said has been the focus of many questions and comments. In response to the complaints, she said the Shasta Library Foundation board has approved funds for an additional part-time guard for the Redding Library.
“While we are paying attention to what you say, the reality is that in the past two years, there has been a 50 percent reduction in incidences at the library and the number of people using the library has increased,” King writes. “The library staff has been diligently working to monitor potential issues and under Police Chief Roger Moore, responses to calls for help have been much quicker.
“The library has just opened a cafe, boasts an imaginative CreateIt! space and is breaking ground on the Outdoor Explore Children’s Garden. This is a very vibrant place to be and I am proud to be part of this community asset. Instead of the negativity, please be part of the solution. Work with us to make a wonderful library even better. You can do so by volunteering, brainstorming with us, donating, and most of all, by simply using the library.”
King invites comments at jean@shastalibraryfoundation.org.
REU Scam alert
Yet another telephone scam is making the rounds, according to Redding Electric Utility. In this latest scam, businesses in Redding are being targeted, with the caller claiming to be from REU’s collections department and requesting a credit card payment.
Persons with questions about the legitimacy of any contact or correspondence from any city utility are encouraged to call (530) 339-7200.
REU offers the following information to protect potential victims:
–REU will never call or email you and direct you to a non-REU payment facility or require a specific method of payment (cash, credit card, etc.) to pay your utility bill.
–REU does not solicit utility payments over the telephone or by email
–City of Redding Utilities will never email you to ask for financial information. If you receive suspicious email requesting information about your account, please take the following precautions: ? Do not respond to the request; ? Do not click on any links in the email; ? Do not open any attachments; ? Do not provide any personal information; and ? Report the contact to REU at (530) 339-7200 or notify local law enforcement.
–Customers should always ask to see employee identification before allowing anyone claiming to be an REU employee inside their home. REU employees always carry their photo identification with them. If you are still in doubt, please ask the employee for their name and their supervisor’s name and call (530) 339-7200 for verification of their identity. If you feel threatened in any way, do not hesitate to report the situation to REU at (530) 339-7200 or dial 911 and notify local law enforcement.
