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Council okays short-term grant and lease deferral to support Civic Auditorium operator
Summary
After public debate, council voted to allocate approximately $6.75 million from an equipment replacement fund as short-term support for the Civic Auditorium operator, defer the monthly lease payment (about $5,000) until January, and direct CSAC/assigned council members to negotiate longer-term options and community engagement.
Council directed staff to provide short-term financial support to Advanced Redding, the operator of the Civic Auditorium, and to pursue a renegotiation of the lease to keep the facility operating while a longer-term approach is developed.
Staff told the council the equipment replacement fund contains about $6.67 million (rounded in staff discussion) that had been set aside from a prior land sale; staff described options including a grant, a forgivable loan, a loan with conditions, or deferring lease payments. Advanced Redding representatives said current bookings and programming would keep the venue operating through January with existing programming, but the operator needs short-term support to avoid winding down.
After public commenters split between urging fiscal restraint and urging the council to save the venue, the mayor moved to grant $6.75 million from the equipment replacement fund, defer the roughly $5,000 monthly lease payment until January, and task CSAC and two designated council members to work with staff and Advanced Redding to restructure the lease and examine other operational options. The motion passed by council voice vote.
Council members emphasized the decision is intended as a short-term lifeline and asked staff and community stakeholders to develop a long-term, sustainable plan for operations, including potential revenue strategies such as parking, sponsorships and partnerships.
