Redmond council approves $10 million bond for parks and open space land

Redmond City Hall



In their last Regular meeting, Redmond city council voted 5-2 to "approve $8.5M limited tax general obligation bonds - not to exceed $10M - to obtain part of the 2011 funds necessary for park and open space property acquisition."   The Downtown Park will consume most of these funds. Council President Richard Cole stated: 

"I'm not going to vote for this tonight".  "We have $120,000,000 debt in this city - about a half of that is for this building (City Hall); although the cost of financing here is now less than (the principal).  Two years ago we borrowed when the bidding climate was good, but this is above my threshold."

Councillor David Carson was the other vote against the bond "but for another reason".  Carson said " I mean...the bonds should be spent in favor of infrastructure for capital projects, not for land acquisition."

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Councillor Kim Allen was in favor of parkland acquisition saying "we're in a sweet spot for acquisition of property - values are low and interest rates are favorable.  Strategically, this a good time to invest as downtown property builds up and won't get any cheaper."

Councillor Hank Myers commented:  "lots of planning has taken place over the last 20-years to develop a downtown with infrastructure, transportation, and planning redevelopment, to encourage residents to move-in and new businesses, and this park is a vital part of that."

Councillor John Stilin was unexpectedly called on by the Mayor for his opinion.  Stilin said simply, "Great cities have great parks...they're great investments."  Councillor Pat Vache' said " this is the right time to do it....you can have a plan, but without action it's just a dream". 

Councillor Hank Margeson said he is voting "yes" for a couple of reasons.  "First, the downtown core needs a park and second, the NE Corner of Redmond (in North Redmond neighborhood) is experiencing a lot of growth and has potential to create an additional open space out of a wetland owing to a grassroots effort."  Leon Hussey, a long-time citizen activist and horticulturalist collected hundreds of signatures petitioning council more than once to acquire the remaining 5-acres of parkland. 

The Redmond Foundation is another mechanism for raising parkland funds.  It's a public-private non-profit the Mayor initiated to facilitate donations from the community.  Last year, city council approved $50,000 in seed money to pay for "a consultant" and other administrative costs in running the Foundation.  The current amount of funds pledged and donated to the Foundation wasn't discussed at the meeting, nor was the total estimated cost of the Downtown Park.  

Do you want to know more?  Follow the Redmond Foundation on facebook.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Council photo, city credit