Road closure coming to downtown Redding as 'Block 7 Project' ramps up

REDDING, Calif. — More road closures are coming to Redding, as construction efforts ramp up downtown.

The eastbound number two lane of Tehama Street will be closed to vehicles starting next Mon., Feb. 13, and will remain closed until Feb. 27. This will allow for the installation of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, storm drains and more.

The work is part of the larger scale “Block 7 Project,” which began in earnest two years ago. The final product is taking shape, but improving the walkability of the area is a huge focal point for the city of Redding. In tune with that, an exciting new feature for city officials is Market Street alley, which runs behind the new parking garage and in front of the Post Office Saloon.

"The alley between California Street and Market Street will be one of the best walkable facilities that we’ve built, ever, in the city of Redding," said city of Redding's Transportation Planner Zach Bonnin. "It will have new lighting and a lot of very friendly features that will be inviting to people to come down to that alley once that’s completed... the additional lighting downtown will also bring a different vibe to that core and we’re excited to have that for safety features."

Bonnin says “pet and bike” infrastructure will be added around California and Tehama streets as well.

KRCR also spoke with Shannon Phillips, the COO for the McConnell Foundation, on Wednesday. Phillips updated us on some of the other work happening at Block 7, including the moving-in of Shasta College into the "north tower"—the structure facing Tehama Street—in April. Residents will also start living in the affordable housing apartments on California Street come March.

Finally, a small urban park will be constructed in the parking lot across from From the Hearth on Market Street, behind the new parking garage. The timeline for that project is summertime.

--

To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team.