Why Paying for Parking in Downtown Redding is a Joke: 11 Reasons to Laugh

Welcome to the world of parking woes, where the cost of finding a spot can sometimes feel like a toll road. But in the charming city of Redding, California, let's take a moment to shed light on the absurdity of charging for parking in the downtown area. In this blog, we'll be taking a lighthearted look at 11 reasons why charging for parking downtown is not only unnecessary but also a total buzzkill.

Parking should be free, just like love. And let's face it, who wouldn't want a little more love in their lives?

1. It's not fair to charge people for something that's out of their control. After all, it's not like anyone chose to be born in Redding or to live in downtown.

2. Charging for parking is like a ransom. And who wants to be held hostage by a parking meter?

3. Free parking is a small token of gratitude for choosing to live, work or visit Redding. And who doesn't love a little gratitude in their lives?

4. It's not like people have a choice but to park. The city should focus on providing enough spaces instead.

5. Downtown Redding is not the city's personal piggy bank. Let's not use the parking situation to make a quick buck.

6. Parking should be a basic human right, like air and water. And we wouldn't charge for those, would we?

7. People are already paying enough taxes. They shouldn't have to pay even more just to park their car.

8. It's not like people are parking their private jets. Most people in downtown Redding are just driving basic cars, not Lamborghinis.

9. Charging for parking is like a penalty for living in the city. And nobody wants to feel punished for just trying to make a living.

10. Parking should be a joy, not a burden. And a little bit of joy can go a long way in making people's lives a little brighter.

There's A New Mural In Downtown Redding, Have You Seen It?

Redding woke up to a new mural on Wednesday morning, June 26th, thanks to a collaboration between Redding Arts and a pair of local artists. The mural was created for The Makery, a new business on Pine Street hosting workshops, events and collaborative workspaces for local artists. 

Photo by @japhethmast

Redding Arts was founded in recent years by Tyler Linahan and David McHarness to improve the city’s culture and art scene. After last year’s fires, they began working on a mural for the Cascade Theatre that would commemorate Redding’s resiliency. As that project nears completion this fall, they’ve been pairing artists with local businesses to paint additional murals across the city. (Hooray!)

The mural was painted by local abstract artists, Dawn Verhey and Cami Zea, and is being documented by photographers Japheth Mast and Seth McGaha. “When Redding Arts came and suggested these two artists, I just loved their aesthetic and what they had to offer” said The Makery’s founder Elizabeth Wright.

“We wanted to communicate an emotion, and not necessarily a subject.”

One of The Makery’s main goals is to educate the community on art and DIY crafts through workshops and events.

Photo by @japhethmast

Vibrant cities across the world, small or large, all have one thing in common: public art! Repurposing old, blank walls into beautiful displays gives the average pedestrian a piece of beauty to admire and appreciate while walking from place to place. Some have said even decreases crime in the area itself. 

In an article from WIBW, a news agency from Kansas, they refer to crime statistics before and after the murals went up:

Lieutenant Joe Perry said the police department collected crime stats before and after that mural went up. In the 6 months before the mural went up, 19 crimes were reported in a 1/4 mile radius around the mural location, 7 of which were graffiti. In the 6 months after the mural went up, 16 crimes were reported in a 1/4 mile radius around the mural location, 1 of which was graffiti.

Photo by @japhethmast

Redding Arts goal isn’t to make a profit, it’s to make a difference. CultreRedding is proud to partner with them in their goal of creating vibrant spaces that beautify our downtown streets. To learn more and follow along with their projects, follow their social pages - @ReddingArts Instagram Page, ReddingArts Facebook Page

Follow the people who made this happen!

The Makery @themakeryredding

Cami Zea @zeaink

Dawn Verhey @theartofdawn

Photos by @japhethmast

ReddingArts @reddingarts

Video Production by @sethmcgahaphoto

New Taproom Opening In Downtown Redding

More good news for those who love craft beer.

People who live and work in the downtown area will have another 5 o’clock spot to enjoy their favorite adult beverages at. Originally from Manton, CA, Cedar Crest is not only a brewery, it’s also a winery! The downtown area currently sports 3 separate breweries (Wildcard, Final Draft, and Woody’s Brewing Co.) and Cedar Crest will be the fourth. The construction has began inside their building located in the Cascade Square on the corner of Placer and California St. The taproom will be adjacent to the AVEDA salon across from the California Street Parking Garage.

Inside will be home to a new 10-barrel brew system that’ll be slinging beers like the 72 IPA and El Jefe, Cedar Crest’s Double IPA (two of our favorites).

The Grand Opening has not been announced, but we’ll release information as we receive it.

via GIPHY

This is an exciting continuation of new business being introduced to the Downtown Redding area. Around every corner there seems to be new construction and development taking place, the majority of the projects being initiated by local businesses, not franchises. In turn that means that more money will be made and kept within our area, strengthening our local economy. I think that’s something we could all get behind.

Know about a new business moving into the area who could use some spotlight? Let us know about it!