Today, staff of The McConnell Foundation shared updates about Downtown Redding projects with the Downtown Collaborative (convened by the City of Redding and hosted by Viva Downtown with catering by […]
On February 4th, staff of The McConnell Foundation and the City of Redding shared updates about the Downtown potential park/plaza, to be located just south of the Shasta College Health […]
Today, The McConnell Foundation and The City of Redding teamed up to submit a grant application to Caltrans, seeking support for a downtown park to be located just south of […]
The McConnell Foundation’s own Rachel Hatch will facilitate the (virtual) 23rd Annual Economic Forecast Conference at California State University Chico today. Curated by the North State Planning & Development Collective […]
On January 20-21st, staff from Shasta College and The McConnell Foundation attended the Novogradac New Markets Tax Credit conference to seek potential investment in the Shasta College Community Leadership Center. […]
The team from Shasta Living Streets and The McConnell Foundation toured Caltrans District 2 staff through the Shasta Bike Depot construction site on January 18th. The Shasta Bike Depot–located along […]
Today, the Downtown Collaborative reconvened for the first time in 2022. The City of Redding convenes this meeting of more than two dozen nonprofits, and Viva Downtown Redding hosts. The […]
On January 12th, members of The McConnell Foundation team appeared before the City of Redding’s Community Services Advisory Commission (CSAC) to share downtown updates, particularly regarding visions for a downtown […]
In a day-long session focused on economic development, McConnell Foundation staff posed this question to the 2022 class of Leadership Redding: “Whose voices do we need to hear more from […]
E-Bikeshare is coming to #downtown Redding. Led by Shasta Living Streets, the search process for an e-bikeshare vendor is now on. After a series of “meet & greets” with potential […]
Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) studies the region’s transportation needs, pursues potential funding sources, and determines what improvements will be made in our region. These choices directly impact the daily lives […]
Another energizing monthly meeting of the #Downtown Collaborative convened by Viva Downtown & The City of Redding. For the full agenda, see below!
It has been said that a sudden increase of bikes in a community can be a harbinger of gentrification. The Bicycles are coming! This is why it’s critical to center equity […]
The mission of AAUW centers equity in an important way: “advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.” Last week we were invited to share updates on […]
After the Carr Fire destroyed more than a thousand homes in our community back in 2018, the need for affordable housing became even more pressing. The McConnell Foundation, K2, the […]
Institute for the Future is the world’s leading futures education and training organization. For over 50 years, businesses, governments, and social impact organizations have depended upon IFTF global forecasts, custom […]
Harvard Law School lecturers have written a book called Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well. Last week, I got to read it, thanks to […]
Energizing monthly meeting of the #Downtown Collaborative convened by Viva Downtown & The City of Redding. For the full agenda, see below!
How can under-resourced communities build their own community-driven leadership to better position themselves to receive public funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation? This was the central question the California […]
Each quarter, we share Downtown updates with The McConnell Foundation Board of Directors. Here is the most recent one shared today!
Energizing monthly meeting of the #Downtown Collaborative convened by Viva Downtown & The City of Redding. Delicious goodies by Downtown Java and Cafe!
Today’s #downtown Redding walkabout: The Bell Plaza project is really taking shape!! Thank you, Trilogy Architecture and Modern Building Company, Chico for all of your work to make the vision […]
Shasta Living Streets, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation is featured in this piece by CALBIKE. Digital version is here, PDF below:
The Art Hunger presents: Video Game Art in #downtown Redding! Great turnout, playful theme. Kudos to all involved, including our Community Vitality grantee, Viva Downtown.
Streetsblog California featured the clean mobility options soon coming to Downtown Redding! Digital version of the story is here. PDF below:
More headlines about the clean mobility options that will soon be coming to Downtown Redding! The digital version of the story is here, PDF below:
Exciting news about more options for clean ways to get around our community! See the press release below: IMMEDIATE RELEASE New California program awards 21 communities, tribes $20 million to […]
Today our development team learned that the City of Redding approved the encroachment permit for work in the California-Market Alley, in support of the Shasta College Community Leadership Center & […]
Exciting news! The McConnell Foundation’s own Rachel Hatch was selected for a sector-wide leadership development program. Read all it about it in the Council on Foundation’s press release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (May 10, 2021) The McConnell Foundation’s Bell Plaza bike depot, café and outdoor courtyard, located on the corner of Shasta and California streets in downtown Redding is […]
Today, Senior Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates about the IOOF Hall with the Downtown Collaborative. Facade improvements to the Hall, the oldest existing brick structure […]
Here is a Downtown Redding construction update: daybreak image from this morning at the Block 7 project site in #downtown Redding, designed by architects Modus Studio and DMarc Studio. This […]
The McConnell Foundation is dedicating 2021 to focusing on the synergy created among our programs. Here is a recent distillation of the synergies between the Community Vitality program, Children, Youth […]
Today The McConnell Foundation joins with community partners to discuss the future economy in far northern California. Here is our presentation:
Wondering how to stay in the loop on downtown projects and Community Vitality grants? Fill out this simple form to sign up for the Downtown Dispatch, which is the best […]
Downtown Business Directory Launched by Viva Downtown, McConnell Foundation Grantee [Enjoy Magazine]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a preview of Viva’s updated Directory […]
Arts and culture are paramount to a thriving downtown. In 2017, the Board recognized this commitment through support for a grant to launch the Redding Cultural District. In 2018, The […]
Alongside organizations such as the James Irvine Foundation, Central Valley Community Foundation, and California Forward, The McConnell Foundation has officially joined CalOZ. CalOZ is dedicated to maximizing the transformative potential […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a preview of the downtown tree lighting […]
Today Program Officer Rachel Hatch interviewed Jason Schwenkler, Courtney Farrell, and Alice Patterson for a preview of the 21st Annual Economic Forecast Summit coming up January 14th, 2021. In this […]
Today Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates about the Shasta College Community Leadership Center with the Downtown Collaborative. The project will be built at the corner […]
This week, we’ll be attending the California Main Street Alliance conference to learn from other cities across the state, and to connect with them about the revitalization efforts now underway […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a new Instagram page that is […]
Today Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch led a walking tour of selected downtown projects for a joint meeting of the Redding Planning Commission and the Community Services Advisory […]
Today, our team learned that the Clean Mobility Options application for $1 million to support bikeshare (summarized here) has crossed the first hurdle: The application timestamp competition! Submitting at 9:00:46, […]
Today Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates with the Downtown Collaborative. The purpose of the Downtown Collaborative is to better coordinate and amplify activities happening in the […]
On October 20th, The McConnell Foundation submitted a proposal in conjunction with Shasta Living Streets and Alta Planning & Design, with the hope of securing an additional $1 million for […]
On October 13-15th, 2020 local community members convened to discuss food & the future of downtown. The core team for Local Foods Local Places (Healthy Shasta, Viva Downtown, City of […]
October 13-15th community members gathered to discuss food & the future of downtown Redding. Here is an image of who participated in Local Foods, Local Places, and the early stage […]
Check out the KRCR-TV news story about Local Foods, Local Places, a conversation about food & the future of downtown co-led by Healthy Shasta, Viva Downtown, City of Redding, Women’s […]
(October 13, 2020) The first vertical building at the former California Street parking structure is under construction. Modern Building Company is the contractor for the 6-story, 398 space parking structure […]
Tonight, Shasta Living Streets & The McConnell Foundation teamed up to conduct a focus group with future potential residents of Market Center apartments (open for tenants starting in November 2020) […]
In November of 2018, The McConnell Foundation finalized the purchase of the IOOF (International Order of Odd Fellows) Hall in downtown Redding. The Italianate building, built in 1888, is the […]
The marquee of the Cascade Theatre has proven a bright spot for many over these challenging months of Corona Virus, with its changing messages encouraging the passerby to take heart, […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included an update on the Downtown Area Shuttle […]
In a time when downtown business owners are struggling with Corona Virus constraints, McConnell Foundation grantee, Shasta Living Streets and community partners are bringing a new parklet to downtown Redding. […]
Today Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates with the Downtown Collaborative. The purpose of the Downtown Collaborative is to better coordinate and amplify activities happening in […]
Today, Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates with the Shasta College Health Sciences Division, which is located at the corner of Market & Tehama Streets in […]
The McConnell Foundation board approved an $80,000 grant in support of the pilot year of the DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) as part of the Community Vitality program. This all-electric vehicle […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a preview of the “complete streets” […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a feature on the street trees, […]
CalBike featured a story about downtown Redding. The mission of CalBike is to “advocate for equitable, inclusive, and prosperous communities where bicycling helps to enable all Californians to lead healthy […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a new Instagram page that is […]
The adaptive reuse project (dubbed “Bell Plaza”) at the corner of California and Shasta Streets in downtown Redding is progressing. In case you missed this week’s KRCR-TV story, click here […]
On September 29, 2017, The McConnell Foundation submitted a proposal for an adaptive reuse project at the corner of California & Shasta streets in downtown Redding. Here is an excerpt […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s Community Vitality program, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included spotlights on downtown businesses of note. […]
Bell Plaza Project Breaks Ground – For Immediate Release – May 22, 2020 In 2017, the Foundation made a 10-year funding commitment to Community Vitality, and the Bell Rooms became […]
Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch recently sat down with Aaron Hayes of “Leading With Hope” for an interview about the the future of downtown Redding. Leading with Hope […]
Today, Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared project updates with the Shasta College Health Sciences Division, which is located at the corner of Market & Tehama Streets in […]
At the invitation of Redding Sunrise Rotary, The McConnell Foundation recently shared downtown construction project updates. Program description here: During COVID-19, there are many things out of all of our […]
Viva Downtown, a grantee of The McConnell Foundation’s, collaborates with Enjoy Magazine for a “Downtown Details” feature. This month, it included a preview of the Downtown Shuttle, for which the […]
In May of 2018, The McConnell Foundation commissioned artist Alice Porembski to complete an inventory of Art in Public Places within the Redding Cultural District. This includes the art murals […]
Last night our project development team received word that the United States Postal Office has found new homes for the post office boxes that are on the southern end of […]
Last night our project development team received word that the United States Postal Office has found a new home for the post office boxes that are on the northern end […]
Since opening October 12th, the Art from the Ashes – Seeds of Regrowth has proven a moving addition to the community’s process of Carr Fire recovery. Over 100 works of […]
On November 6th, Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates at the invitation of Jim Fennell, chair of the Resident’s Council at the Lorenz Hotel. Per […]
Next week, the northern end of the parking structure at the corner of California and Tehama streets in downtown Redding will close. The southern portion of parking structure will remain […]
On October 24th, the project team walked the Phase 1 Demolition site–the northern end of the parking structure at California & Tehama streets in downtown Redding. The goal? To be […]
There are two upcoming public events in Redding that link to the vitality of our communities across the 5 counties that The McConnell Foundation serves (Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Tehama & […]
See you in downtown Redding next weekend for the inaugural Redding Roots Revival Music Festival. Get your tickets here. Family friendly! Kids 10 and under are free! Per the Enjoy […]
On October 10th, Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates during a downtown walkabout with the Redding Riverview Sunset Rotary Club. Want to stay in the […]
On Monday, October 7th, hundreds of community members gathered at Cedar Crest Brewing to attend the event, California Street Development Phasing: What to Expect. The event focused on the next […]
Local artist Angie James of I’m Loved Originals is creating a mosaic piece in downtown Redding on California Street. Join this participatory art project by showing up to help Monday, October […]
Join us Saturday, October 12th for the launch of Art from the Ashes – Seeds of Regrowth Shasta County 2019. Here is what to expect: Over 90 works of art […]
As the City of Chico endeavors to address housing supply in the first year of recovery after the Camp Fire, they invited another fire-affected community Redding share our approach post-Camp […]
YOU’RE INVITED: Monday, October 7th, 2019 5-7pm at Cedar Crest Brewing (1475 Placer Street Suite B) in Downtown Redding. 5:00-5:30pm Mix & Mingle with others who live & work downtown, […]
On September 20th, the internationally-acclaimed band, MarchFourth performed to a packed courtyard at California Street Labs, a venue in downtown owned by The McConnell Foundation and operated by grantee, Shasta Living Streets. […]
On September 20th, The McConnell Foundation stopped by the workshop for the 2020 Census that focused on the downtown Redding census tract. Early efforts are underway toward ensuring a more […]
The McConnell Foundation hosted Leadership Redding for a session on September 19th, with an invitation to learn about the history of the place through research by Laura Christman Manuel. The […]
On September 18th, The McConnell Foundation shared project updates at the Downtown Collaborative. The purpose of the Downtown Collaborative is to better coordinate and amplify activities happening in the downtown […]
On September 16th, the second amendment to the Purchase & Sale Agreement for the Bell Rooms was approved by the board of Redding Area Bus Authority. Overview Located at the […]
On September 11th, the City of Redding held its annual Safety Fair, giving community members an opportunity to interact directly with some of the people most responsible for safety in […]
On September 11th, members of The McConnell Foundation and K2 teams appeared before the City of Redding’s Community Services Advisory Commission (CSAC) to share downtown updates, particularly regarding the urban […]
A complete count of the downtown community will be important for Community Vitality. Here’s why: Census counts influence funding allocations for our county that will affect our area for 10 […]
On September 10th, 2019 Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates at the monthly meeting of the Trails & Bikeways Council of Greater Redding. As a […]
On September 7th, the Redding Fashion Alliance (a grantee of The McConnell Foundation) produced the second annual Fashion Gala, a fashion show in the heart of Downtown Redding. The event […]
The Community Vitality program of The McConnell Foundation is pleased to support the Redding Roots Revival Music Festival, coming to downtown Redding October of 2019. Details in the September issue […]
Today a delegation of community leaders from Chico, CA visited downtown Redding. The objective of this meeting was to engage in a peer-to-peer exchange between our two neighboring communities. Both […]
Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates at Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 13th. Commissioners heard a range of updates on downtown projects from multiple developers […]
In the follow up from Opportunity Zones 101, The McConnell Foundation was invited to participate in a philanthropic gathering at Silicon Valley Community Foundation, together with representatives from HUD & […]
Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates with the Kiwanis Club on August 8th. Want to stay in the loop on downtown grants and investments? Check […]
This week, the Design Team for the mixed use development (dubbed “Block 7 Net Zero Housing and Downtown Activation Project“) came to Redding to share highlights of their latest designs. […]
Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates at the Elks Club today, joined by McConnell Foundation board members, Lee Salter and Bob Blankenship and hosted by […]
In May, 130+ people gathered in Redding, a far-northern California community of 91,000 people located at the top of the Central Valley. The reason? To attend Opportunity Zones 101: A […]
As you may be aware, The McConnell Foundation has been engaging in a 3 step process to make additional public parking available at 1313 California Street in downtown Redding. We […]
This week, the downtown Redding community had the opportunity to learn from Karen Haley, Executive Director of Indy Cultural Trail, an 8-mile world class urban bike and pedestrian path in […]
Thank you for attending today’s webinar with OppSites; official partner with the State of California to accelerate deal flow in California’s 879 designated Opportunity Zones. We saw great engagement–40 people […]
Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared Downtown project updates with members of the #downtown Redding Cornerstone Community Bank branch community this morning. Are you a downtown neighbor group that is curious […]
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Opportunity Zones 101 event May 22nd. In case you missed it, here is a visual recap, scribed by Jack Burgess of Jack […]
Here are a few updates that might be of interest to downtown neighbors: The week of February 18th, the team from Eddie Axner Construction adjusted the fence-line at the corner of […]
Watch highlights of the 2019 State of Downtown from Rachel Hatch, Program Officer for Community Vitality. The event–powered by Viva Downtown Redding–included multiple speakers. To watch The McConnell Foundation presentation, […]
Join Hill Country Health & Wellness Center & community partners May 23 (12:00-1:30pm) for Lunch & Learn: New Downtown Health & Care Services at California Street Labs (1313 California […]
Since tax reform in 2017, developers, economic development professionals, city planners & more have begun to ask: what is the opportunity in Opportunity Zones? How can my community benefit? What […]
On April 3o, 2019, The McConnell Foundation’s Rachel Hatch and Alex Carter were invited to present at Leading Together, the biennial meeting of the Council on Foundations. The Council’s mission […]
On Monday, April 22nd, Rachel Hatch (Program Officer for Community Vitality with The McConnell Foundation) joined KQMS for Mornings with Gibson & Bremer for a conversation about The McConnell Foundation’s […]
The McConnell Foundation has provided a grant of $41,500 to the City of Redding to support downtown street trees in Redding. This matching grant will be supplemented by in-kind donations […]
Thanks to Caltrans District 2 (headquartered in downtown Redding) and McConnell Foundation grantee, Shasta Living Streets, a downtown Redding parklet on California Street (a Caltrans highway) inspired the establishment of […]
The Block 7 Net Zero Affordable Housing & Downtown Activation project was the sole Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities project featured in the statewide California Climate Investments report. Redding also was […]
Realtors spend so much time describing our city to people who are considering moving here. It was great to sync up with them today regarding The McConnell Foundation’s investments in […]
Here are a few updates that might be of interest to downtown neighbors: This week, the team from Eddie Axner Construction adjusted the fence-line at the corner of California & Shasta […]
Last fall, The McConnell Foundation finalized the purchase of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall from Redding Lodge No. 271 on Nov. 15. The Italianate building, built in 1888, is the oldest […]
Redding Fashion Alliance just announced the dates for Redding Fashion Week 2019: September 7-13th beginning with a Fashion Show Gala on Saturday, September 7th. Save the date! Designers, models, photographers, […]
⚡️ “The McConnell Foundation attends the 2019 Funders Summit” Follow along via the twitterstream below…thanks to Smart Growth California for this informative event. Cover image photo credit: Smart Growth America. […]
California Street Labs & Shasta County Arts Council have teamed up to host a Youth Art From the Ashes Workshop (for kids ages 4 -17) Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/art-from-the-ashes-youth-art-workshops-tickets-56383749312 Art form the Ashes […]
Thanks to all who attended the December 7th talk by Ilana Preuss on Small-Scale Manufacturing & the Future of Downtown, hosted at California Street Labs (1313 California Street). Couldn’t make […]
Enterprise High School students and their wonderful teachers hosted a Pop-Up Art Show at California Street Labs and it was a great success. Here are photo highlights:
Today, The McConnell Foundation hosted a workshop about the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program, in collaboration with Caltrans Districts 1 & 2, Estolano LeSar advisors and the Strategic Growth Council. […]
Thursdays is CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) drop off day at California Street Labs (1313 California Street in downtown Redding. Field to Fork Tehama LLC is providing produce from Tehama & Shasta Counties. Sign-up […]
Three members of The McConnell Foundation staff–including Program Officer for Community Vitality Rachel Hatch–attended today’s North State Economic Forecast, an event powered by the Center for Economic Development at Chico State […]
In case you missed it, the Buckhorn Mountain Stompers played a live concert on December 15th at California Street Labs. The event featured the world premiere video by Jefferson Thomas […]
The Shasta Builder’s Exchange hosted an event at California Street Labs today. The focus? Fire-resistant building materials, an especially important topic in the wake of the Carr Fire that has […]
On November 29th, Jason Roberts (Better Block Project) spoke to a crowd of 500 people at the Cascade Theatre. His invitation to the crowd? Build a better block, right here […]
Thanks to all who attended the December 7th talk by Ilana Preuss on Small-Scale Manufacturing & the Future of Downtown, hosted at California Street Labs (1313 California Street). In 2017, […]
In December 2017, the Redding Fashion Alliance received a grant from The McConnell Foundation to activate an underutilized space in downtown Redding (details here). As a successful year draws to […]
Thanks to the team at Leadership Redding for the invitation to take the Class of 2019 on a Downtown Field Trip during their December 6th session that was focused on […]
On North State Public Radio reporters Kim Weir, Sarah Bohannon, and Rachelle Parker recently featured California Street Labs on their program, Up the Road. Key excerpt: “Right now, it’s all […]
Wondering how to stay in the loop on downtown projects and Community Vitality grants? Fill out this simple form to sign up for the Downtown Dispatch, which is the best […]
On November 24th, journalist David Benda of the Redding Record Searchlight wrote this piece about multiple efforts in downtown Redding, including The McConnell Foundation’s acquisition of the Bell Rooms and […]
On November 21st, journalist Mike Chapman of the Redding Record Searchlight wrote this piece about The McConnell Foundation’s efforts downtown. Click the image for the full story:
PRESS RELEASE (November 20, 2018) The McConnell Foundation finalized the purchase of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) Hall from Redding Lodge No. 271 on Nov. 15. The Italianate building, […]
On November 8th, community members gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Redding for the second annual Redding Cultural District Summit. The focus? Business models to support arts and culture. Here […]
What to Expect Nov. 29th: Join us as we learn from Jason Roberts, founder of The Better Block Project. Hear concrete examples of how other cities have temporarily re-envisioned a single block in […]
On October 24th, Ben Wickham (Affordable Housing Director for Sonoma County) visited Redding to learn about the mixed-use development dubbed “Block 7” that is planned for downtown Redding. Both fire-affected […]
Watch this 1m10s overview of California Street Labs which is now officially up & running at 1313 California Street in the heart of downtown Redding: With thanks to Sara Oliviera […]
SAVE THE DATE – 6:30pm Thursday, November 29th Build a Better Block: Jason Roberts on Improving Your Community Cascade Theatre 6:30-7:30pm Thursday, November 29th (we encourage everyone to enjoy dinner downtown […]
Thanks to Caltrans District 1, Caltrans District 2 & Caltrans District 3 for the invitation to speak about “Community Livability & Economy” at the North Region Managers Meeting” on October 3rd. The mission of Caltrans […]
Regional convenings are key for exchanging best practices with other communities. The October Future Valley Summit was no different. Hundreds of people gathered for the meeting–organized by the San Joaquin […]
On Friday, October 5th, the warehouse renovation in downtown Redding passed the final inspections! Wasting no time, community members were invited in the very next day for a launch party. […]
Yesterday, the warehouse renovation downtown passed the final inspection! Wasting no time, the Redding community is invited to a Launch Party today! Drop by California Street Labs between 3-7pm. RSVP here. ———– […]
On October 3rd, KRCR-TV Reporter Sade Brown reports on the forthcoming California Street Labs in downtown Redding. Click below to watch this overview of the new project at a formerly […]
UPDATED: Due to demand for tickets, this event is moving to a bigger venue–the Sheraton Hotel. Seats are limited, so RSVP via eventbrite here today! The 2nd annual Redding Cultural […]
On September 18th, Jefferson Public Radio’s Geoffrey Riley interviewed Rachel Hatch (Program Officer for Community Vitality at The McConnell Foundation) and Anne Thomas (Shasta Living Streets) regarding the downtown Redding […]
Demolition at the former police station took place in August, thanks to the efforts of Eddie Axner Construction and Richard Huff of The McConnell Foundation. The bricks were taken offsite for […]
Here are photos that give a taste of the hard hat tours to give community members an early taste of the potential for California Street Labs, a project to activate […]
On September 4, 2018, Reporter David Benda of the Redding Record Searchlight interviewed Anne Thomas of Shasta Living Streets about the downtown project, California Street Labs. Click here to learn […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The McConnell Foundation Gives Grant to Shasta Living Streets as Activation Lead for Downtown Warehouse Activation Redding, California (Wednesday, August 29, 2017)—The McConnell Foundation announces plans for […]
At the request of California Department of Housing & Community Development and the Strategic Growth Council, the Block 7 team participated in the California Climate Initiatives Planning Charrette in Santa […]
The McConnell Foundation participates in a monthly meeting, convened by the City of Redding, dubbed the Downtown Collaborative. As it sounds, this is a group of downtown organizations who help […]
Update as of August 16, 2018 — Demolition at the former police station began Monday and has been proceeding smoothly, thanks to the efforts of Eddie Axner Construction and Richard […]
Update As of August 11, 2018 — The process of salvaging key elements of the former police station is underway in downtown Redding. Here are photos of Eddie Axner’s Construction […]
The McConnell Foundation has cancelled the Demolition Day event at the former police station, which was to take place this Thursday. We at The McConnell Foundation are thinking of the […]
Shasta Living Streets is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Community Vitality program of The McConnell Foundation to support a downtown parklet. Here is the current design: Coordinating […]
Reporter Briona Haney took KRCR-TV viewers on a sneak peek tour of the downtown warehouse renovation. Click here for her story:
The City of Redding’s Community Development Department released an updated map of downtown Redding Restaurants. It is helpful for reminding yourself of the range of dining that is downtown, returning to […]
Renovation work is beginning in earnest at the site of the former police station in downtown Redding. Crews have been there to clear brush, inspect the irrigation system and to […]
On July 5th, Jefferson Public Radio interviewed The McConnell Foundation’s Rachel Hatch. The conversation included discussion of the way buildings can catalyze change in the environment, but also the role […]
The Redding community proves that it can compete at the state level, by bringing home $24 million for downtown projects. This transformational effort wouldn’t have been possible without the voices of […]
On April 13th, 2018 escrow closed on the former police station in downtown Redding. Right away, The McConnell Foundation team began working with Ryan Russell of RAD Studio to create […]
Per press release 6/19/18 by the City of Redding: On Monday, June 18, the California Strategic Growth Council released the staff recommendation for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) grant program. […]
At the June 19th Redding City Council approved a policy for parklets (see below). What is a parklet? An outdoor seating area–often with planters and lights–that is suited to outdoor […]
It was a full house at RISE, a next generation business leaders program of the Redding Chamber of Commerce, where Program Officer for Community Vitality, Rachel Hatch shared about The McConnell […]
The “community” part of Community Vitality (the name of The McConnell Foundation’s program area focused on downtown revitalization) is driven by the people who care about downtown, invest in downtown, and […]
This month, we headed to the Bay Area for a field trip of sorts, as we continue early-stage conceptual development regarding the potential development on the site of the former […]
Ever wonder about the history of the former police station? We did. We were curious about the activities that happened on that parcel prior to its becoming a police station […]
On May 30th, 2018 the nonpartisan community group, League of Women Voters of the Redding Area invited The McConnell Foundation’s Rachel Hatch to speak about revitalizing Redding. The League of […]
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese proverb The McConnell Foundation is providing a contingent grant to the […]
On May 22, Viva Downtown hosted their annual State of Downtown at the Atrium. They asked The McConnell Foundation’s Program Officer for Community Vitality to reflect on what she’s learning […]
Here’s what we’re learning about the power of *temporary* places in the process of catalyzing long-term change in cities. This, in preparation for a temporary activation of the former police […]
On April 17, 2018, The McConnell Foundation closed escrow with the city of Redding on the former Redding Police Station located at 1313 California Street in downtown Redding. The due […]
The McConnell Foundation has granted Viva Downtown a grant to help support live music in downtown through a series: Summer Nights with Major Seventh. Viva Downtown is a National Main […]
The newly completed Downtown Specific Plan update includes Pop-Up Provisions which will set the scene for a new approach to downtown revitalization. They were adopted April 3, 2018 in full. […]
In Year 1 of the Community Vitality work, we’re looking at examples of parks, plazas and open spaces in some of the great American cities. One place to start is […]
It is important to look back in order to look forward. So at a time when the community is embarking on revitalization projects in downtown–and specifically along California Street–it is […]
On January 23rd, 2018, Carl & Linda Bott of Free Fire Radio (KCNR) interviewed City Manager Barry Tippin as well as The McConnell Foundation’s Rachel Hatch about downtown community plans. […]
Watch this video for a quick look at Community Vitality highlights from 2017 and a sneak peek at what 2018 has in store…
Redding Fashion Alliance Receives Grant from The McConnell Foundation to Activate Underutilized Space Downtown Redding, California (Wednesday, December 20, 2017) — The McConnell Foundation has awarded the Redding Fashion Alliance […]
Kudos to RussellStudio for bringing the vision to life on a potential downtown mixed use project at the corner of Tehama & California: Ryan Russell did great work visualizing some […]
This week, The McConnell Foundation and K2 invited Community Input on a potential downtown project. It was a larger-than-expected turnout, and we will be continuing to digest this input, but […]
In October of 2017, The McConnell Foundation headed to Sacramento to learn about the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program and what it means for the […]
In early 2017, community members from This Place Matters Redding, Shasta Historical Society, Viva Downtown, Shasta County Arts Council and more voiced the importance they place on preserving historic buildings in […]
Redding Cultural District Awarded $242,500 Grant from The McConnell Foundation REDDING – Redding Cultural District (RCD), one of 14 communities statewide to be designed by the California Arts Council as a […]
In August 2017, a “lunch and learn” about pop-up retail took place in downtown Redding. The goal? To learn from people who are doing pop-up retail in Redding about their experiences so far, and to think together about how this might connect with underutilized spaces in downtown Redding in the years ahead.
On July 7th, 2017, KCNR Free Fire Radio’s Carl Bott interviewed The McConnell Foundation’s Rachel Hatch about the Foundation’s new Community Vitality program, which begin just under a month ago. […]
As the Community Vitality program is just beginning, there is important definitional work to be done. But as soon as one asks the question: “What is community vitality?” it quickly […]
When I joined Institute for the Future (IFTF) in 2008, it was in a time of economic volatility: The mortgage crisis. Banks that were “too big to fail.” People worrying they would […]
