Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Park in Bidwell Park? That’ll Soon Cost You / Redding Council To Weigh Park Funding

Downtown Chico

It may cost you to park in Bidwell Park come July. A proposed Upper Bidwell Park parking fee goes up for debate in Chico tomorrow evening.

 

The proposal, approved by the council’s Internal Affairs Committee, would initiate a $2 daily fee and $25 annual pass for driving into Upper Park. Seniors, the disabled and qualifying low-income households would be exempt. The fee would take effect July 1.

  

 

The council will also look into a separate proposal regarding the park’s dirt road. It would re-open the entire length of it to motorized vehicles on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Currently, the road is open to traffic between Horseshoe Lake and the Diversion Dam every day, except Sundays and Mondays. 

 

Separately, the council will consider tightening energy conservation requirements for homes being substantially remodeled and discuss inclusionary zoning which would require some percentage of affordable units in new developments over a certain size.  

 

The council is also scheduled to discuss setting up a public place for syringe disposal and banning needle distribution entirely.  

 

In Redding, parks are also on the city council’s agenda. Officials are expected to dip into the Redding's park in-lieu fund to the tune of  $450,000, in an effort to complete a few delayed projects. 

 

If approved without amendment, the money would pay for two modular buildings in

Caldwell Park, one for activities, the other for a park host, along with a separate park host structure at John Reginato River Access. Additionally, $100,000 would go to expand the Pickleball court at Enterprise Park.

 

The council is also expected to accept and approve a financial analysis of Redding Electric Utility and appropriate $177,000 for REU to buy drones to inspect power lines. No action on electrical rates is expected.

 

Additionally, the council is expected to approve nearly $360,000 to purchase emergency generators for the city’s water utility.

 

Both meetings get underway at six tomorrow evening at their respective council chambers.