These cul-de-sacs were improved using the City-sponsored Neighborhood Matching Fund - the one on right was spoiled by a bad neighbor (since departed).
One of the few partnerships between the City of Redmond and it's neighborhoods is called the "Neighborhood Matching Fund." The program was started under the Ives Administration. Open space is created from cul-de-sacs once filled with thick, bushy ground cover (also good habitat for rodents) and it can improve neighborhood gateways. Impenetrable groundcover was removed from the above cul-de-sacs.
How it works: The City supplies cash (or in-kind services) for a neighborhood project and the neighborhood matches the City's contribution with local resources of volunteer labor ($17/hr), donated materials or professional services ($30/hr), or cash. The funds are awarded on the basis of merit, with a maximum of $5,000 available from the City per project.
Here's the rub: If maintenance is required in the agreement, it is the responsibility of the neighborhood project leader to do it. One of my neighbors living on the cul-de-sac, depicted in the right photo, complained the city would not fix the damaged curb because "they don't own it". Apparently, the curb damage is caused by large trucks e.g. Waste Management trying to navigate the 20' road. My neighbor said a truck once ran over potted plants where you now see shrubs. Waste Management said they would repair the curbs only if all the neighbors wheeled their containers up to the collector road. Obviously, the cul-de-sac road was never designed for large recycling trucks. Hmmm. What about the City's new fire trucks?
According to the project leader of the cul-de-sac on the right, it once had a nice park table in the center and beauty bark. A problem neighbor claimed the table was a hazard and threatened a law suit. The neighbors removed the table. Police were called regularly to deal with this nasty neighbor. They have since moved.
Look at the cul-de-sac on the left. All the neighbors took serious pride on this street and were never bothered by a nuisance resident. They installed a beautiful vine maple and two park benches. I admire their "little park" every time I walk by it. Scores of school children and parents walk by it on their way to MANN El.
I hope the City encourages further development of neighborhood micro-parks and partnerships. What do you think?
Read the city description of the "Neighborhood Matching Fund".
Use this Application Form to apply for a Neighborhood Matching Fund.
click photos to enlarge.
Waste Management drove over the curb again today, destroying more of the curbing and a walkway stone that had been placed in the garden. There was a work truck in a neighbors driveway, and while one waste management truck was able to avoid it and driving over the curb by demonstrating some patience, the other demonstrated a complete lack of care for personal property and simply drove his truck though the garden.
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