Fortuna City Council widened the search for a River Lodge lease on June 15, directing staff to accept and evaluate proposals from public entities, private entities and nonprofits after public comment pushed officials beyond a school-district-only approach.
Staff told council the city wants to stop directly operating the building by Jan. 1, 2027 because River Lodge has required nearly $1 million in general-fund subsidy over the past five years, according to the meeting summary and agenda posted for the June 15 regular meeting.
The council had been discussing a possible lease with the Fortuna Union High School District, but commenters urged a broader process. Representatives from the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, the lodging sector and the school district spoke during public comment, and one resident asked council to consider multiple proposals and focus on the property’s best use, according to the meeting record.
Council directed staff to work with the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission and North Edge on criteria and vetting for proposals, then bring back the process at a later meeting. The record reviewed for this story does not include the council’s exact vote count or any final scoring rubric.
River Lodge is city-owned, so the decision broadens who can compete for the lease and could shape downtown use, tourism and education outcomes.
