The Redding Riverfront Specific Plan Open House

The City of Redding had an open house to discuss the proposed Riverfront Specific Plan which will develop a master plan for the area along the west side of the Sacramento River from the Cypress Street Bridge to the boat ramp behind the Redding Rodeo grounds. There was a turnout of about 100 people for each of the two open-house meetings.

It was interesting and informative to hear the outlook and desires for the area from various commentators at the meeting. There seemed to be two starkly different points of view. To put it simply, there was the pro-development outlook and the conservationist outlook with many shades of opinion in between. On the development side, many speakers wanted to bring the amenities of metropolitan areas they had left previously to come to Redding, a few stating there was nothing to keep medical professionals and young people in town without “big city” activities and cultural offerings.

On the conservationist side, most wanted the riparian areas preserved for wildlife, the health of the river, and for the area to be preserved for people to enjoy nature. And of course, there were many varying views in between.

SEA President David Leger did have a 45-minute private meeting with Daniel Iacofano, CEO of MIG, the consulting firm the City has hired to develop the plan. Leger discussed a number of river restoration projects his firm had developed plans for that did not involve paving over a riverfront. Leger emphasized the concerns SEA had in preserving riparian areas for wildlife habitat but did not oppose development along the north end of Park Marina Drive that already had been severely degraded and was set back from the riverfront.

The City plans to have an advisory group from all stakeholders in the areas provide input to MIG. Iacofano was emphatic that Populous would not be developing part of the Riverfront Specific Plan. The plan will take up to 18 months to develop.