Downtown Details

Thank You For Supporting Downtown Redding Businesses…

You may have heard the term “new urbanism” but what does it mean?
New urbanism is focused on design, which is critical to the function of communities. The size and shape of a plaza will help determine whether it is consistently alive with people or windswept and vacant. The organization of buildings in a neighborhood helps establish its character. Combining appropriate design elements makes places that are greater than the sum of their parts. New urbanism concentrates on how places are connected, to make a great community.

A building that is connected to a transit stop or has bike racks helps the region function better. Streets designed to serve all buildings and areas along with pedestrians, cyclists and cars add to the street’s usefulness; all disciplines related to the built environment must work together to create great places. Reclaiming underused and neglected places is a special focus of new urban design and building.

Above all, new urbanism is about creating sustainable, humanscaled places where people can live healthy and happy lives. The walkable, vibrant, beautiful places that we want to build work better for businesses, local governments and residents. For more information, visit www.cnu.org/resources/what-new-urbanism

HERE’S THE BLAKEDOWN
Blake Fisher – Viva Downtown Program Coordinator
The leaves are changing, the weather is cooler, and I am hoping by the time this Blakedown is published, our California fire season has come to an end. Thank you to the firefighters who have worked tirelessly to protect our forests and communities. I also want to thank the first responders and medical workers who have been on the front lines of the hospital, especially during the most recent wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year has been tough, but what makes us get through these tough times is the strength and resilience and kindness of our community. During our most difficult of seasons, we have managed to come together to support one another – now is that time. Through pandemics, smoke and redevelopment challenges, I have watched a Downtown move forward and grow. Good things are going to come and it is going to be up to you – stay strong, support local and be kind to your neighbors. P.S. Congrats to Riverfront Playhouse for officially opening with their first production in their new theater and to Enjoy Magazine celebrating on 15 years!

DOWNTOWN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Cascade Theatre – Like theaters everywhere, the Cascade Theatre had to shut its doors in March, just as they were in the planning stages of their 2020-2021 season. Scheduled performances came to a halt. Ticket sales are their primary source of income and keep the doors open and the lights on. Last month, they had their first concert since the pandemic. They have an incredible lineup for the rest of the 2021-2022 season, including Easton Corbin with Ben and Noel Haggard, John Hiatt and the Jerry Douglas Band, Robert Cray and more – and that’s just in October! There’s so much great entertainment in store.
1731 Market St • (530) 243.8877 • www.cascadetheatre.org

Riverfront Playhouse – May 2016, Riverfront
Playhouse purchased the RIOH building at the corner of California and Gold Streets with plans to remodel and relocate to a larger space. It took a few years to get loans in place and get everything ready to start their 41st year in a more spacious location. Several volunteers moved from E. Cypress Avenue in early March 2020. The cast for their first play, “Clue,” had been rehearsing for a few weeks, but the devastating news that California had to shut down came days later. Eighteen months later, on Sept. 19, “Clue” opened with an all-star cast, directed by Nicholas Brown. “Dracula: Down for the Count,”
directed by Jennifer Levens, runs Oct. 15-31. 1950 California St. • (530) 221-1028 – www.riverfrontplayhouse.net