Mayor Marchione gives his vision for Downtown at "Coffee Chat". Some citizens voice concerns about downtown growth.

 Mayor Marchione is seen answering citizen questions and concerns about imbalances between road infrastructure and growth.

Update:  Mayor John Marchione is pictured here during his "Coffee Chat" with citizens at the Redmond Senior Center last Friday.  Over 20 citizens sat in to hear the Mayor talk about his vision for the downtown. The ensuing Q&A centered on citizen concerns and questions about:  1) infrastructure keeping up with high-density growth, 2) adequate parking, 3) height of downtown buildings, and 4)  the departure of longtime retail stores.

The YOUTUBE video starts out with citizen concerns about the 108 unit Mondavio project under construction on RED-WOOD Road.  This talk topic leads to a very interesting thread of mayoral - citizen commentary.  In November 2007, I wrote an opinion during the campaign that "John Marchione shouldn't be blamed for Redmond's skyscraping growth".  

A discussion on retail ensued.  Mayor Marchione noted the COSTCO project for SE Redmond appears to have fallen through (no fault of the city).  Some longtime retail has been fleeing or out of businesss (Linens & Things, Kits Cameras, the Bear Creek frame shop, Joanne's Fabric, Lakeside Drug, Hallmark and various Redmond Town Center shops).  Mayor Marchione has redirected staff to begin an economic development program.

Do you have a thought, opinion, or remark about how downtown Redmond is growing?   Please comment below this post.  Or, send your opinion to redmondblog@gmail.com with your name and permission to publish as a LETTER.

by Bob Yoder