Redding City Council Approves Short-Term Funding to Keep Civic Auditorium Open Through June 2026
- Kari Chilson
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Redding, CA – February 3, 2026 — After more than 90 minutes of passionate public testimony, staff presentations on short-term and long-term funding options, and extended council discussion, the Redding City Council voted unanimously (5-0) to provide approximately $464,000 in short-term operational support to Advance Redding, the nonprofit operator of the Redding Civic Auditorium at 700 Auditorium Drive.
The action prevents the immediate closure of the venue, which opened its doors in 1970 with a design that supports a wide range of uses—from concerts and events to trade shows, expos, and scaled-down gatherings. Advance Redding, a local 501(c)(3) public benefit nonprofit, has managed the city-owned facility since 2011 under contract. The organization serves as both operator and event promoter. The auditorium offers reserved indoor seating for more than 2,000 people. Outdoor concerts on the front lawn can accommodate 5,000–7,000+ people.
Public Testimony Overwhelmingly Favors Keeping the Venue Open
Eleven community members spoke during public comment, with nearly all urging the council to keep the auditorium operational. Speakers highlighted its irreplaceable role in the local economy, culture, and quality of life:
Paul David, producer of the Redding Bridal Show, Home Show, and Health Expo, estimated his three annual events alone support $6–16 million in local economic activity, involving more than 400 businesses and 17,000+ attendees each year. “If the Civic closes, these events do not move. They disappear, along with the economic activity they generate.”
Lindsay Myers, CEO of Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Sheraton Redding Hotel, described the Civic as “an economic engine and a signal of vitality for our city.” She warned that a shuttered building on a prominent campus would undermine tourism momentum and the ongoing Riverfront Specific Plan, while creating security and maintenance concerns.
Yvonna Kuyper, owner of The Dance Depot (a family business in Redding since 1965), emphasized that no comparable North State venue exists for large-scale recitals and performances. “Over 250 families rely on the Civic twice a year… Hundreds of our families are actively preparing for the event right now” in June.
Susan Murray stressed the venue’s role in generating transient occupancy tax (TOT) and sales tax revenue while supporting local businesses, urging the council not to “mothball” it.
Hope Seth, Advance Redding board member and parent, noted the Civic’s value as a gathering place for young people. “My 22-, 19-, and 16-year-olds… have left town and come back and said please keep the Civic open—they don’t want to make Redding more boring.”
Eric Hyatt, another Advance Redding board member, outlined recent progress (board restructuring, event growth from 30 to 70 annually, collaborations with Choose Redding, Visit Redding and Shasta EDC) while acknowledging the need for long-term restructuring.
Julie Winter, former council member (2016–2024), recalled the community’s successful efforts to save the Civic during the Great Recession and urged similar unity now. “We need to make this a city that’s livable… the Civic helps do that.”
John Truitt, Executive Director of Viva Downtown, tied the Civic to broader downtown and riverfront revitalization goals: “In our downtown-specific plan, it never contained ‘let’s close venues.’… Invest more. It’ll pay off.”
Multiple speakers warned that closure would eliminate millions in TOT/sales tax revenue, reduce hotel/restaurant activity, harm local jobs and nonprofits, and contradict the ongoing Riverfront Specific Plan.
Council Action and Conditions
Council members agreed closure would cause significant economic and cultural harm, but repeatedly emphasized the city’s structural budget deficit—where ongoing service costs (police, fire, roads, and more) continue to outpace revenue growth—and limited fiscal flexibility. Funding the Civic requires using one-time resources (primarily Stillwater Business Park property-sale proceeds) rather than new ongoing revenue, and council members acknowledged that any additional expenditure creates trade-offs, potentially requiring cuts or efficiencies elsewhere in the budget (though several stressed that public safety services would be protected). Councilmember Dr. Paul Dhanuka underscored the “hard reality” of this structural imbalance, while Councilmember Tenessa Audette emphasized accountability and measurable outcomes amid tight finances.
After extended discussion, the council approved:
Four months of funding (March–June 2026) at $116,000 per month ($464,000 total), sourced from one-time Stillwater Business Park property-sale proceeds.
Lease amendment extending the rent holiday ($0 monthly rent) through June 30, 2026, then resuming at $5,000/month, and adding a mutual 60-day no-cause termination clause.
Reevaluation in May (second council meeting) to review progress and consider extension.
Key contingencies (directed by council):
Advance Redding to deliver a new/restructured business plan within 3–6 months.
Mayor Jack Munns appointed as a non-voting liaison to the Advance Redding board.
Quarterly financial reports to the council.
Staff directed to begin preparing a request for proposals (RFP) process for future operators, potentially with consultant support.
Next Steps
Staff will execute the funding agreement and lease amendment using Stillwater funds. The item returns in May for reevaluation. No long-term funding was agreed upon. The council described the action as a bridge to allow time for sustainable solutions, including potential facility use expansion, naming rights, or a new operator via RFP—while continuing to address the broader structural budget pressures facing the city.
The Redding Civic Auditorium hosts concerts, graduations, trade shows, recitals, and major regional events including Cool April Nights, Ironman festivities, and three-on-three basketball tournaments.
