Five different private entities have made proposals to take over management of the Redding Civic Auditorium. That was revealed during Tuesday’s “State of the City” Address by Mayor Mike Littau, who had previously been skeptical that anyone would want to take on what seems to be money-losing proposition. Advance Redding had run the facility for 14 years. They took on the job because the city was losing a lot of money on it and Bethel Church needed a place to house their School of Supernatural Ministries. Advance Redding was formed for that purpose and they maintained the building and made a lot of improvements to the lighting and audio systems, while booking a variety of major acts. When the Bethel School no linger needed it, Advance Redding had to operate at a loss. The City Council came to the rescue more than once, and a local sales tax would likely have made it work, but without those lifesavers Advance Redding dried up. City staff is reviewing the new proposals and will likely present the best ones to the City Council in October.
-Steve Gibson