UPDATED: Rosemarie Ives Parting Comments, Old Firehouse Teen Center

Rosemarie Ives:  "Elbow Grease Makes a Beautiful Community"

On March 17th, Rosemarie gave this testimony during "Items from the Audience."  She figures Council probably won't respond to it saying they spend excessive Ombuds. time recounting their numerous committee activities.   

As former Redmond mayor, 1992-2007, and founder of the Old Firehouse Teen Center, I object to the premature demolition of the Old Firehouse—what is the rush? The public has not seen renderings for the new 13 Million dollar building, nor heard about funding which appropriately should be part of council’s budgetary decisions this fall.

The City administration has failed to give consideration to or share with the public the building’s historic significance—it was the first city hall, first council chambers, first fire station before the teen center, a regionally acclaimed music venue. According to King County Historic  Preservation staff, the Firehouse is likely eligible for designation for historic and cultural significance and possibly architectural significance.

Did any of you (Council) know this?

Inside the building, there are priceless artifacts such as the city’s first vault and local newspapers stuffed in the holes of the cinder blocks used in construction, maybe a time capsule and more. This building should be treated with care, not hastily bulldozed.

UPDATED 3/27: Light Rail "Crosslink Connection" Opens, Celebration Judkins Park Station

Parking in and around the Downtown Station is problematic.  A 1,300 parking garage awaits you at the Marymoor Station.  It's only a few minutes away.  Drive and park there!

JUDKINS PARK STATION, credit Peter Bohler, Sound Transit

The Link Light Rail 2 Line "Crosslake Connection" opens March 28, 2026, connecting Redmond directly to Seattle via a major opening celebration. Festivities include a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting at Judkins Park, followed by the first trains across Lake Washington at 10 a.m.. Celebrations, featuring food trucks and music, will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at stations including Mercer Island and Bellevue. 

Key Details for the Opening Celebration:

• When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting with a 9 a.m. ceremony.
• Where: Celebrations will take place along the 2 Line, with major events at Sam Smith Park (near Judkins Park Station).
• Highlights: First passenger service over Lake Washington on the new light rail bridge, followed by community events, live performances, and local food vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..

Rick's Outdoor Neighborhood Art

 Rick with Scully On Education Hill
Happy Easter Neighbors!

Scully all suited up for Saint Paddy's Day

Rick launched Scully on Halloween dressing him up as a witch. He's done every holiday since....Christmas, Valentines Day, Saint Paddy's Day, and Easter.  I'll be posting Rick's future creations as each holiday comes!   

-- Bob Yoder, 3/22/26; photos
click pictures to enlarge 

Mayor Birney's 2026 State of City Address

 

This video leaves one with a sensation of pride for our City.  The address shows the essence of Redmond and will help put us on the world map. Seriously. Peal away from national news for an hour and enjoy the entertainment!  Mayor Angela Birney hit a home run on this.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/21 

UPDATED 3/27/26 Part 1: New HOA Governance Law

Washington State Capital

The Washington Legislature passed the "Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership" Act, (WUCIOA) codified by RCW HB 64.90 that has changed the landscape for Homeowners Association Associations, (HOA.)  And, those who know about it are scrambling to meet the requirements and deadlines.  

I'm an HOA member of a large association in the Wenatchee area.  It exemplifies the undemocratic,  governance neglect our owners has lived with for over 25 years, However, with this new law the Board in good faith, is slowly changing their ways.

As it is now: 

• Meetings haven't been Open.
• A Board member once told me "we don't have agendas."
• If you happen to learn of a Board meeting your comments are restricted to agenda items.
• No Special Meetings on significant issues.  (Our Board made a $250,000 decision to buy a new dock system via the Reserve Fund without owner Special meeting participation or vote.)
• Owner contact information is "kept in a vault" by the property manager. 
• Board members are voted in year-after-year, one for over 35 years.
• No formal Maintenance Committee at the time when over $800,000 special assessments were required to renovate the buildings and landscaping. No Special meetings or vote. 

Under RCW 64.90.445 Meetings (and Voting requirements) must be implemented by January 1, 2027. 

I'm very happy with RCW 60.90 (1) (c) (d.)  It states: "Unit owners must be given a reasonable opportunity to comment at ANY meeting regarding ANY matter affecting the common interest community interest or the association."  

UPDATED: Grouping of Redmond Historical Society Leaders

~ 100 residents (sitting on the right) attended the Lisa Dupar Speaker Series

 Left to Right:  John Oftebro (dressed in Cougar colors), Patsy Rosenbach, Halee Turner, Laura Lee Bennett, speaker Lisa Dupar 

"A Covey of Redmond Historical Society Leaders:"

   

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society 

Prominent Washington State University alumnus.  

Patsy Rosenbach, Photography/Greeter - a brief history

Halee Turner,Staff, Administration and Collections Manager

Laura-Lee Bennett, Vice President, "Culture, Weaver, Community Builder"

ANNOUNCEMENT: City Council / School Board Drop-in Gathering

ANNOUNCEMENT

Thursday, March 19,  7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Redmond Middle School

10055 NE 166th Ave.

 - an informal, drop-in gathering with City Councilmembers and Lake Washington School District Board Members to discuss topics of importance to attendees

- Councilmember Sayna Parsi, 3/15

Lisa Dupar Of Pomegranate Bistro, Redmond History Saturday Speaker Series

On a snowy day in March over 100 residents turned out for the "Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series featuring Lisa Dupar, owner of the Pomegranate Bistro. She spoke  enthusiastically and expressively to "Ya'll" about her life, and work as a restaurateur, chef, caterer. Her first restaurant was in deceased Mayor Brown's House on 164th, before the Brown Bag closed.  

The Bistro is offers casual dining, with a southern bent, a bar, and pastry selection.  I ordered a "Fried Chicken & Waffle," Yummy. Their tomato soup & grilled cheese sandwich is iconic.  Lisa's ramping up her breakfast fare to Monday -- Friday, 8 AM -- 3  PM.

  

"A Covey Of Redmond Historical Society Leaders"

 

  Left to Right:  John Oftebro (dressed in Cougar colors), Patsy Rosenbach, Halee Turner, Laura Lee Bennett, speaker Lisa Dupar 

John Oftebro, President of Redmond Historical Society 

Prominent Washington State University alumnus.  

Patsy Rosenbach, Photography/Greeter - a brief history

Halee Turner, Administration and Collections Manager

Laura-Lee Bennett, Vice President, "Culture, Weaver, Community Builder"

Reported and photos by Bob Yoder, 3/15/2026

Spring Snow On Education Hill

I woke early this morning, through open the sash, and look what I saw! ....this snowy view from our house on Education Hill.   My gladiolus and camellias are already in bloom, tulips are not too far behind, with hostas soon coming. 

And this is basically Spring ... mid March! Will the Mayor show off her new fleet of snowplows?  I wouldn't doubt it. My favorite is named "Control Salt Delete."

Coming from Minnesota, Chicago, Illinois, a New York it's a dusting.  But, that doesn't mean you don't have to look out for the other guy, slip sliding away.... 

-- Bob Yoder, 3/13/2026

SE Redmond Park Project Design

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE AND SEE DETAILS

The SE Redmond Park project includes the design and construction of a new 3.2-acre park in the SE Redmond neighborhood. It will buffer the residential neirborhoods from northern commercial. Planned features include recreational amenities such as playgrounds, a picnic shelter, and sports courts; public art; stormwater improvements; and sustainable landscaping with expanded tree canopy. 

As part of the project, two studies will be conducted to evaluate parking needs and assess noise impacts from a proposed pickleball court. In addition, community outreach will be conducted to define and incorporate a community identity feature into the park design. The site is located along the north side of NE 68th Street, bounded by 188th Avenue NE to the west, 191st Avenue NE to the east, and undeveloped land to the north. 

 SE Redmond Park location site maps and description.

SE Redmond Park Master Plan - comprehensive and informative

Total cost $13,757,591

-- Source:  Council Memo, 3/3/2026 

Learn About Redmond's Pomegranate Bistro This Saturday

 The Society's monthly Programs are awesome!

Updated: United Healthcare And EvergreenHealh Reached An Insurance Agreement, Silver Tower Expansion

 

Silver Tower

Very good news!  

EvergreenHealthEvergreenHealth
2 days ago • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

Following months of negotiations, EvergreenHealth and United Healthcare have reached an agreement on a new contract, allowing EvergreenHealth to remain a participating provider in United’s network.

Patient FAQ

And more good news!  At a Board meeting yesterday, I learned all our district levy money ($255,000,000) will over time pay for expanding the second floor of the Silver Tower and Plaza Building without need for a new levy or bond.  WE let Evergreen increase our property taxes for this to happen -- to build capacity and access for more doctors, more specialists, more beds, a cardiac-cath lab, instrumentation, woman's health services and more.  We'll soon be reaping the benefits!  Thank you Dr. Palazzo. Thank you Board of Directors.  

-- Bob Yoder, 3/6/2026, updated 3/8/2026, 3/9/2026

"Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Private Facebook Group

Building Community In LWSD Schools

 

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth Prepares Patients For Negotiations with United Health

Below, are the measures from EvergreenHealth recommended to assist patients during the failed negotiations.

UPDATED: Council Office Hours and Committees - Forsythe, Kritzer, Stuart, Parsi

      

Jessica Forsythe 

Position #3

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Jessica Forsythe

Phone: 425-305-7206

Office Hours: By Appointment (feel free to email)

Running for Washington LD 48th

Boards/Committees: AWC Federal Priorities Committee, Eastrail Regional Advisory Committee, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Disability Board
Past Boards/Committees: Council President 2022-2023, PSRC Executive Board Alternate, Growth Management Policy Board, Redmond Senior & Community Center Stakeholder Group, Parks and Human Services Committee Chair, Eastside Human Services Forum Representative
City Council 2024 Subcommittees: Alternative Crisis Response Planning, Multi-Modal Transportation Planning

Vanessa Kritzer

Position #5

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Vanessa Kritzer

Phone: 425-305-9892

Office Hours: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 3-4 pm at Redmond Senior and Community Center Lounge (outside community room)

Running for Washington LD #45

Boards/Committees: Community Facilities District Board of Supervisors, Eastside Transportation Partnership, OneRedmond Board of Directors, Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8 Salmon Recovery Council (Chair), Lake Sammamish Kokanee Interlocal Agreement Management Committee, King Conservation District Advisory Committee
City Council 2026 Subcommittees: Tenant Protections

Melissa Stuart

Position #4

President, City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/29

Email Melissa Stuart

Phone: 425-588-6550

Office Hours: 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. at the Redmond Library.

No office hours: May 14, June 25

Boards/Committees: King County Growth Management Planning Council, King County Regional Water Quality Committee, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee, Association of Washington Cities Legislative Priorities Committee, OneRedmond Government Affairs Committee, Community Facilities Districts Board of Supervisors

Sayna Parsi

Position #1

City Council

Council Term Expires 12/31/27

Email Sayna Parsi

Phone: 425-556-5845

Flexible Virtual Office Hours

Sayna Parsi was sworn in as a Redmond City Council Member on January 20, 2026. She previously served on Redmond’s Parks, Trails, and Recreation Commission, where she championed outdoor fitness amenities, sustainable park management, and equitable access to public spaces.

Sayna serves on the board of the Washington Native Plant Society’s Central Puget Sound chapter and works with Eastside Audubon on conservation and environmental education. With professional experience across small businesses, nonprofits, and large corporations, she brings a broad, results-oriented perspective. 

Source:  City Council Web page.

What A.I. Says About Redmond Blog

City of Redmond Neighborhoods, February 2026 

 "The Redmond Neighborhood Blog is generally considered a valuable, long-standing resource for hyper-local news, though whether it is "good" depends on what you are looking for—objective reporting or community advocacy. 

Strengths & Content Focus

• Hyper-Local Expertise: The blog has been active for nearly two decades (since at least 2007) and provides deep dives into topics often overlooked by larger outlets, such as city council decisions, land use policies, and local school district levies.
• Active Advocacy: The site's primary author, Bob Yoder, explicitly describes the blog as an "advocate" and "trouble-maker" intended to bring balance and accountability to local government.
• Niche Investigative Reporting: It frequently covers environmental concerns, such as potential aquifer contamination, and tracks the impacts of rapid development on Redmond's "soul" and affordability. 

Things to Consider

• Opinion-Driven Tone: Many posts are written from a specific viewpoint, focusing on "watching" the city administration and critiquing rising costs of living and property taxes.
• Format: As a Blogger-hosted site, it has a traditional, text-heavy layout that may feel less modern than newer media platforms.
• Community Presence: It maintains an active Facebook Group (Friends of Redmond Neighborhood Blog) where residents can discuss local issues directly. 
• Comparison to Other Sources

Source	Best For
Redmond Neighborhood Blog	Deep-dive civic analysis and critical community advocacy
Experience Redmond	Tourism, events, and highlighting local businesses
City of Redmond News	Official government announcements and public meeting notices
Move Redmond	News specifically about transit, biking, and urban walkability