Advance Redding asks city to release Sheraton land-sale funds to shore up Civic Auditorium operations

Advance Redding asked the Redding City Council on a special-meeting night to release money set aside from the sale of land to the Sheraton to help sustain operations at the Civic Auditorium.

Julie, a presenter for Advance Redding, told the council that the Civic marked “2025 [as] the 50 fifth anniversary” and recounted the facility’s recent programming before making a financial request. “We're requesting the city release the monies that were set aside for the civic from the sale of the land to the Sheraton,” she said. She asked the city both to release the funds as a stopgap and to “reimagine its relationship with the civic and help us build a framework for the future.”

The request targets an account the city manager later described to council members as approximately $675,000 held in an equipment replacement account. Advance Redding framed the ask as a short-term measure while longer-term options are developed. Julie said Advance Redding had invested $6,000,000 in programming and operations in the last 12 months and cited claimed economic impacts, including more than 100,000 attendees and roughly $84.3 million in economic output, as part of the rationale for continued public support.

Board members and public commenters offered support. Eric Hyatt, who identified himself as a local businessperson and Advance Redding board member, said staff “are doing an amazing job” and urged council support for the group’s request.

Council members instructed staff to return with multiple options for the $675,000 — including loans, grants, and agreements with conditions — and to provide information about a potential restructuring of Advance Redding’s lease or operating arrangement. The city manager said staff would return with alternative terms and background material so council could consider short-term and longer-term solutions.

The council did not take any formal funding action at the meeting; council members indicated they preferred to have staff prepare a report that outlines possible options and terms before voting.

The Civic, located on the Northern Riverfront campus, has been operated by Advance Redding under a lease arrangement that, according to the presentation, was originally structured to keep the building open and reduce city financial exposure. Advance Redding said it has expanded programming and relied on private revenue to operate; the organization asked for the near-term release of the identified funds to bridge to a longer-term agreement.

Council members also asked staff to include background on potential new revenue sources — for example, parking fees at Civic events — and to return with a report that includes the requested funding options and possible terms for restructuring the operator relationship.

Advance Redding’s request and the council’s direction to staff set the item up for a future agenda when council can consider formal action after staff returns with alternatives.