UPDATED OPINION: The next Mayor we elect needs to plan for "us," not just "them."
All these "Redmond Center" small businesses will be demolished
Why, oh why were we fated to live in Redmond during this messy urbanization process? There seems no end to the detours, disruptive demolition and ceaseless construction. I hear (no transparency) even more Giants are cued up. The City needs to take pause to the planned "twin 9-story towers" by the old post office, and other monoliths -- not just for infrastructure catch-up but for presence of mind. When the City's Director of Planning finishes "our" 10-year plan many will be dead; or have left, leaving "technology" to enjoy the fruits of our endurance. The Mayor we elect in November will need a serious plan for "us" -- not just "them." (city staff and developers.) Yes,I pity the small businesses expected to move into the first floor of these expensive Goliath's. Our downtown core is evolving into a small business wasteland. Construction of this roughly 600-unit, multi-family apartment project is set to start in the summer 2020. Several other massive projects are planned for the downtown in the near future. Which mayoral candidate do you want to manage the city during this turbulent time? -- Bob Yoder, opinion Note: A friend stated: "the 6-story ground-level places intended for small businesses to move into are nearly quadruple the current rental / lease prices. Some of the businesses say it would be $9K/month + just to lease a space. That doesn't include renovating the space to fit their business, or any of the other moving expenses."
It's not in the books yet. A Hearing is being held tonight at City Hall to evaluate streets associated with Redmond Center. Below is the City memo explaining a street extension that's involved.
For any redevelopment to occur on the site, an approved master plan may be required, and site plan entitlement will be required at the least.
The City of Redmond and the owners of Redmond Center (Redmond Center Owners) wish to enter into a Development Agreement to define the improvements to the extension of 158th Avenue NE from NE 83rd Street to the intersection of Redmond Way, and to clarify the obligations and requirements for utility services for future developments of the multiple parcels at Redmond Center. A detailed list of the terms of the Development Agreement is summarized in section III.C of this staff memo. This Development Agreement does not involve approval for the construction of site improvements or buildings at this time.
This Development Agreement includes 14 developed parcels in 22 acres of land in downtown Redmond (Exhibit A of the Development Agreement). Existing uses include retail, office, grocery store, and dining. All the parcels are within the Downtown Trestle zoning district, and the Comprehensive Plan designation is Downtown Mixed-Use. City Hall is approximately 600 feet north and Redmond Town Center stores are approximately a quarter to half a mile away. 158th Ave. NE runs parallel to the Sammamish River Trail, which abuts the western boundary of Redmond Center.
It's not in the books yet. A Hearing is being held tonight at City Hall to evaluate streets associated with Redmond Center. Below is the City memo explaining a street extension that's involved.
ReplyDeleteFor any redevelopment to occur on the site, an approved master plan may be required, and site plan entitlement will be required at the least.
The City of Redmond and the owners of Redmond Center (Redmond Center Owners) wish
to enter into a Development Agreement to define the improvements to the extension of
158th Avenue NE from NE 83rd Street to the intersection of Redmond Way, and to clarify
the obligations and requirements for utility services for future developments of the multiple parcels at Redmond Center. A detailed list of the terms of the Development Agreement is summarized in section III.C of this staff memo. This Development Agreement does not involve approval for the construction of site improvements or buildings at this time.
This Development Agreement includes 14 developed parcels in 22 acres of land in
downtown Redmond (Exhibit A of the Development Agreement). Existing uses include
retail, office, grocery store, and dining. All the parcels are within the Downtown Trestle
zoning district, and the Comprehensive Plan designation is Downtown Mixed-Use. City
Hall is approximately 600 feet north and Redmond Town Center stores are approximately
a quarter to half a mile away. 158th Ave. NE runs parallel to the Sammamish River Trail,
which abuts the western boundary of Redmond Center.