From: Ash Goyal
To: Siana Emmons; Amy Nilsen; Mike Johnson; Tami Trent; Kyle Conley; Abe Stevens; Carlos Diaz Subject: Best Western Fortuna: Request to Preserve River Lodge Conference Center as a Community Event Venue Date: Friday, June 12, 2026 8:00:54 AM
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
I hope you are doing well.
I am writing as the owner of the Best Western Country Inn in Fortuna regarding the potential lease of the River Lodge Conference Center to a school district.
While I understand the City's desire to find a productive long-term use for the facility, I respectfully ask the Council to carefully consider the economic impact that such a decision may have on Fortuna's hospitality industry and local businesses.
The River Lodge Conference Center has historically served as an important venue for weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, social gatherings, and community events. These events bring visitors into Fortuna who utilize local hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, and other services. As a result, they generate significant economic activity and valuable Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue for the City.
If the facility is leased exclusively to a school district and becomes unavailable for public and private events, much of this visitor traffic will disappear. This would likely reduce hotel occupancy, event-related lodging revenue, restaurant spending, and overall tourism activity in Fortuna. At a time when operating costs for hotels and local businesses have increased substantially, the loss of this important demand generator would have a significant negative impact on the city’s hotels, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), and local economy.
I respectfully encourage the Council to consider alternative options, including leasing the facility to a qualified third-party operator who would continue to manage and promote the venue as an event center. Such an arrangement could preserve the facility's role as a destination for weddings, corporate functions, community celebrations, and other events while continuing to generate economic benefits for local businesses and tax revenue for the City.
My intention is not to oppose the school district's needs, but rather to ensure that the broader economic interests of Fortuna's hotels, businesses, employees, and residents are fully considered before a final decision is made.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to our community. I would be happy to discuss this matter further if it would be helpful.
Sincerely,
Ash Goyal
Owner
Best Western Country Inn
Fortuna, California
408-431-8613