2025
Multiple Spaces Across an 8-Building Complex
USDA-Certified Polyurethane Coating System
Aggressive Mechanical Grinding + Deep Cleaning
14 Days
Inspection-Ready for Commercial Food-Service Use
2
2025
Multiple Spaces Across an 8-Building Complex
USDA-Certified Polyurethane Coating System
Aggressive Mechanical Grinding + Deep Cleaning
14 Days
Inspection-Ready for Commercial Food-Service Use
2
2025
Multiple Spaces Across an 8-Building Complex
USDA-Certified Polyurethane Coating System
Aggressive Mechanical Grinding + Deep Cleaning
14 Days
For decades, 1551 Market Street was one of the most recognizable addresses in Redding. In 1964, it became home to Dicker’s Department Store, a proud family-run retailer that symbolized prosperity. But in the 1970s, the city experimented with enclosing Market Street to create a “Downtown Mall.” What was meant to compete with the rise of suburban shopping centers quickly became dated, and by the 1990s, Dicker’s had closed its doors.
The once-bustling property sat vacant for years, then limped along as a coarse parking lot and boarded-up structure. Locals called it “an albatross,” the most visible reminder of downtown’s decline. Even after the mall roof was torn down in 2008 to reopen Market Street, the block still failed to attract investment.
That changed in 2016, when the City of Redding’s Planning Commission approved a bold proposal by K2 Development Companies. The plan was ambitious: demolish the old structure and replace it with Market Center, a mixed-use anchor for the city’s Downtown Revitalization Plan. The new design would restore Market, Butte, and Yuba Streets after nearly 50 years of closure, bring 82 apartments downtown, and create an open-air marketplace of restaurants and retail.
But to make that vision work, every square foot of the property had to be reimagined — right down to the floors. That’s where Simplicity Flooring & Tile came in.
K2 needed more than just flooring. They needed specialized, USDA-certified surfaces that would allow restaurants and food vendors to pass inspection, operate safely, and thrive in the long run. With kitchens, walk-in coolers, and food-prep areas spread across the new buildings, durability and compliance weren’t optional — they were mission critical. Simplicity installed a polyurethane coating system designed for compliance with USDA FSIS standards for nonfood compounds and construction materials
At the same time, the site’s history as a rough parking lot slab presented a unique challenge. The concrete was scarred, uneven, and never intended to serve as the foundation for modern food-service facilities. Before the city could welcome its first tenants, Simplicity had to transform that surface into a functional, hygienic, and long-lasting foundation.
By solving this problem, we weren’t just installing coatings — we were enabling K2’s vision for a safe, modern marketplace that would invite both residents and visitors back downtown.
Our work began with extreme preparation. Years of wear had left the concrete in poor condition, so our crew performed an aggressive grind and deep clean to create a workable surface. Unlike many urban projects, we had one advantage: the slabs were suspended above the parking garage, which eliminated moisture issues that can plague coating installs.
Once the prep was complete, we applied a polyurethane (poly) coating system, chosen specifically for its USDA certification, chemical resistance, and performance in high-traffic kitchens. The material was carefully troweled and back-rolled to ensure even coverage, seamless edges, and a non-slip finish.
Our onsite crew — Kelley and Christian — put in meticulous effort to make sure every square foot met inspection standards. Working closely with K2’s project manager, Peter Kelly, we delivered a result that turned unusable concrete into a smooth, sanitary, and inspection-ready surface.
This wasn’t just flooring. It was Simplicity providing the infrastructure that will keep Market Center’s kitchens safe and compliant for decades to come.
One of the highlights of this project was the collaboration with K2 Development. From day one, their leadership emphasized that Market Center wasn’t just about buildings — it was about people. They saw the project as a catalyst for community pride and economic growth, and that perspective influenced every decision on site.
For subcontractors like Simplicity, that meant open communication, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to excellence. K2 trusted us to deliver specialty flooring under challenging conditions, and they valued our input when it came to preparation and product choice.
As K2’s CEO Daniel Knott told KRCR News during the final stages of development:
“We’re really proud to be part of this project… It does feel good to be wrapping up this first phase, both for our company and I think the community to start seeing the benefit of all the hard work that’s gone into this.” krcrtv.com
That hard work included the behind-the-scenes details — like the coatings under every kitchen and cooler — that make the project possible.
“Working with K2 Development on Market Center was a true partnership. Their leadership set the tone for clear communication and high standards, which made our job easier and more rewarding. I also want to give a special shout out to Kelley and Christian, our onsite crew — they were an awesome team to work with and a big reason this project was a success.”
— Walter Carney, Owner, Simplicity Flooring & Tile
The transformation at 1551 Market Street is nothing short of remarkable. Where there was once a blighted parking lot, there is now a vibrant mixed-use block at the center of Redding’s renewal.
For Simplicity, the most meaningful result is knowing our flooring systems are now supporting the restaurants and food businesses that will fuel downtown’s comeback. Our work helped ensure these spaces meet the highest standards of safety and durability — a detail that quietly underpins the entire project’s success.
“Simplicity Flooring & Tile was a trusted partner on this complex downtown project. Their attention to detail, willingness to go above and beyond in prep, and commitment to long-term durability gave us complete confidence in the spaces we’re delivering to tenants.”
Before:
After:
The revitalization of 1551 Market Street isn’t just a story about buildings. It’s a story about resilience, community, and craftsmanship. For Redding, it means new life downtown. For K2, it means delivering on a long-promised vision. And for Simplicity, it means proving that the right flooring partner can play a pivotal role in city-defining projects.
By intertwining history with technical expertise, Simplicity Flooring & Tile helped create a foundation — literally and figuratively — for the future of downtown Redding.
Sources & References
This case study incorporates project history and development context from:
Similar polyurethane flooring systems are used in commercial kitchens and food-service facilities where sanitation, chemical resistance, slip resistance and long-term durability are essential. This installation helped prepare Market Center’s tenant spaces for inspection and supported the continued revitalization of downtown Redding.
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Simplicity Flooring & Tile installed a USDA-certified polyurethane coating system in commercial kitchens, walk-in coolers, and food-preparation areas throughout the Market Center development.
The original concrete was rough, uneven, and previously used as a parking surface. Simplicity mechanically ground and deeply cleaned the slabs before applying the new coating system.
Yes. The Market Center coating system was installed with a textured, slip-resistant finish to improve traction in kitchens, coolers, and food-preparation areas where spills may occur.
Simplicity Flooring & Tile completed the specialty flooring work in partnership with K2 Development Companies. The onsite installation crew included Kelley and Christian.
Polyurethane flooring provides a seamless, sanitary surface with strong resistance to chemicals, heavy foot traffic, moisture, and everyday wear. These qualities make it well suited for commercial kitchens and food-service environments.
The flooring installation was completed in 14 days, with the project reaching completion in August 2025.
Yes. Polyurethane coating systems can provide the durability, cleanability, and resistance needed in walk-in coolers and other temperature-controlled food-service spaces.
The flooring installation helped transform previously unusable concrete into sanitary, inspection-ready surfaces for Market Center’s future restaurants and food vendors. These functional tenant spaces support the development’s broader goal of bringing housing, dining, retail, and renewed activity to downtown Redding.