Calistoga Seeks Longer Fairgrounds Deals For Revival

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Calistoga wants Napa County to double the maximum length of operating agreements at the Napa County Fairgrounds, a change city officials say could help attract operators willing to invest substantial money in the property.

The 2024 Purchase and Sale Agreement between Calistoga and Napa County limits the city to operator agreements of up to 25 years, Calistoga Deputy City Manager Rachel Stepp said.

The city wants the county to amend the agreement to allow terms of up to 50 years.

The longer terms could make major investments in the fairgrounds more financially feasible for prospective operators, Stepp said.

"For uses that may require substantial upfront capital, a longer operating term may give an operator greater certainty and a longer period to recover that investment," Stepp said in an email.

The change could also give Calistoga more flexibility when negotiating agreements aimed at the fairgrounds' long-term revitalization, she said.

Calistoga is discussing the proposed amendment with Napa County, but the county has not decided whether it will agree to the change, according to Stepp.

Mayor Donald Williams and Councilmember Kevin Eisenberg attended Tuesday's Napa County Board of Supervisors meeting and spoke during public comment before supervisors discussed the Fairgrounds Purchase and Sale Agreement in closed session, Stepp said.

Williams and Eisenberg have also individually discussed the issue with members of the Board of Supervisors, she said.

The Calistoga City Council previously discussed the issue in closed session Aug. 13.

Because both the city and county discussions occurred in closed session, Stepp said she did not have staff reports, lease analyses, proposals, or other documents from the discussions to provide.

Meanwhile, Calistoga is preparing two requests for proposals for fairgrounds operations.

One RFP will seek an operator for the golf course. The other will seek an operator for the Speedway in conjunction with racing events, Stepp said.

The RFPs remain under development and will establish a formal process for prospective operators to submit proposals for the city's consideration.

Calistoga is not currently preparing an RFP for operation of the fairgrounds' RV park, Stepp said.

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