Green checks mark the areas under consideration. Photo by Jon Lewis.
Prime riverfront property currently anchored by the Civic Auditorium and the rodeo arena will be redeveloped—in some fashion and at some later date—but it won’t involve a sale to a McConnell Foundation-led group that had proposed an ambitious revitalization of the 45-acre chunk of public land.
With a 4-1 vote on Tuesday, the Redding City Council decided to decline the group’s offer—which included $1 million in planning services—and instead hire a consultant to develop a specific plan for the riverfront area.
City Attorney Barry DeWalt. Photo by Jon Lewis.
That path forward leaves any future development or renovation in the city’s control, a point made by Councilmember Michael Daquisto, who opposed the group’s offer.
Councilmember Erin Resner made the successful motion to bypass the offer and instead update the city’s specific plan; Councilmember Mark Mezzano offered a second while also stating his opposition to the sale of any riverfront land.
When asked how the city would pay for consulting work, Resner said she’d support reallocating about $1 million from the $17.6 million the city is slated to receive through the federal American Recovery Plan Act. She said she’d support taking $500,000 each from South City Park improvements and expanding high-speed internet service.
An aerial view. The rodeo arena is at the left. Photo by Jon Lewis.
The unsolicited offer came from a team composed of the McConnell Foundation, K2 Development Co., Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Populous Inc. (a global design firm represented by Redding native Michael Lockwood, a principal architect with the firm).
In its letter of intent, the group offered to explore “dream big” possibilities for the riverfront area “including what it would take to build a top-tier conference center, multi-use sporting venues, outdoor entertainment destinations as well as mixed-use residential, restaurants and public space opportunities.”
Public ‘surplus land’ issue
To even begin negotiations, the city is required by California’s Surplus Land Act to offer any property deemed “surplus” to developers interested in building affordable housing. Developers, and other agencies, would have 60 days to submit offers.
Given the cost-prohibitive nature of the site, as well as another state law protecting park facilities (which includes the Civic and the rodeo arena), City Manager Barry Tippin said it was doubtful there would be any offers. The city is not obligated to accept any offers, but it would be required to negotiate in good faith for at least 90 days.
Redding City Council: Erin Resner, left, Mark Mezzano, Kristen Schreder, Michael Daquisto and Julie Winter. Photo by Jon Lewis.
On Tuesday, the council was asked to consider formally declaring the property surplus. A hearing on the topic featured 45 speakers, with 23 opposed to the declaration, 21 in favor and two undecided.
Mimi Moseley spoke in support of proceeding, calling it “an opportunity to ask ‘what if.’” The small business owner also noted the city can always “pull the plug” if it’s not happy with the process.
Bill Walker, a senior planner with Shasta County, spoke in opposition, saying the riverfront property is much too valuable to be deemed surplus. “I thought they were joking,” he scoffed.
“How’d we get this far along (in the process of) selling our crown jewels?” asked Dale Ball, another opponent.
Arthur Garcia, a cultural resource officer with the Wintu Tribe of Northern California, was one of several American Indian speakers who questioned how the city can consider selling property that had been illegally taken from indigenous peoples.
“What an amazing opportunity to dream,” said Tenessa Audette, a supporter. She said revitalizing the riverfront area will help Redding recruit more physicians (specialists and general practitioners) that are already in short supply.
The Redding Rodeo Association’s Bennett Gooch expressed reservations. Photo by Jon Lewis.
Bennett Gooch, president of the Redding Rodeo Association, originally joined with Turtle Bay, Advance Redding (the nonprofit organization leasing the Civic) and Sheraton Redding in supporting the offer. He expressed reservations on Tuesday, noting a “shrinking footprint” for rodeo operations. “I feel like we don’t have a stake in it,” he said, adding that his association has been hosting the Redding Rodeo since 1948.
When the topic returned for council consideration, Councilmember Julie Winter reiterated her support for the project and expressed confidence that the concerns expressed Tuesday, including protection of the riparian habitat, can be mitigated through careful planning. “History will show this is the right decision,” she said. Her motion to approve the surplus land declaration was seconded by Mayor Kristen Schreder.
After Resner’s motion to go with an in-house approach passed with a 3-2 vote, Schreder opted to change her vote to a yes. Winter’s motion then became a moot issue.
Tippin said he would provide recommendations on retaining a consultant and proceeding with a riverfront specific plan at a future meeting.
A complete staff report on the agenda item begins on Page 125: http://reddingcityca.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=3302&Inline=True
April 21, 2022 Press release from McConnell Foundation:
Prompted by our proposal and by the robust community dialogue thereafter, the Redding City Council decided to move forward with a City-led planning effort instead of the proposal submitted by the Design & Development Team (“D&D Team”). We support the Council’s decision, and have withdrawn our offer to fund and facilitate a community-wide master planning effort. We are proud to have played a role in catalyzing new conversations about the need to enhance Civic Area community assets.
Populous, K2 Development Companies, and The McConnell Foundation appreciate the City Council, city staff, and the countless community members who engaged in the idea to master plan the Civic Area. We also want to thank Advance Redding, the Redding Rodeo Association, the Asphalt Cowboys, and Turtle Bay Exploration Park. As the current operators of the public amenities in the Civic Area, these organizations serve a wide range of residents and visitors.
We remain, as partners, committed to community planning, thoughtful growth and development. We will continue to individually share our expertise, resources and energy toward advancing Redding’s potential.
Photo from Populous.
