Public Comments Welcome at the Redding City Council’s Discussion of Riverfront Land Options Tonight

This story is part of Scout’s ongoing coverage of proposed riverfront land development.

---

Redding’s City Council will discuss six key parcels of riverfront land tonight. The land under consideration includes almost 200 acres of prime riverfront property including the Redding Rodeo grounds and the Redding Civic Auditorium grounds.

The public’s input is welcome tonight as part of Council discussions.

Controversy that surrounded a recent decision by the city to agendize discussion of the property under closed session drove the Council to agendize the topic under tonight’s open session agenda instead. 

Discussions will address a proposal by two developers and two non-profits to enter into an exclusive negotiating agreement with the city for the possible purchase and development of riverfront land.

Shasta Scout spoke briefly with Council Member Michael Dacquisto, prior to tonight’s meeting. For Dacquisto, it’s all about building trust, something he says he campaigned on. “You can lose trust (with the public) in an instant, but to gain the trust back takes years,” he said. “The process is extremely important, the more open the process, the more trust you can ask the public to give you that you’re doing the right thing.”  

He said tonight he’ll advocate for multiple meetings with plenty of public involvement prior to any decision on the land. He’ll also want to see how general and riverfront planning for the city will be integrated into any ongoing discussions of this specific land. “This is a huge decision and it can affect Redding for years to come . . . you want to decide if you’re doing it the right way,” he said. 

“I encourage (the public) to come to the meeting and speak,” Dacquisto continued, “send emails, call, leave their messages, individually contact the Council members in any and every way they can to let their opinions and voices be heard.”  

Speaking to KRCR and the Record Searchlight, representatives of Populous and The McConnell Foundation, two organizations involved in the proposal to develop riverfront land, have also emphasized the importance of public involvement in the process. 

Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6 pm at Redding’s City Hall. You can contact the City council here.

Do you have a question or comment? Email us, or join the community conversation at Shasta Scout’s Facebook page. Do you have a correction to this story? Submit it here.