Wednesday, April 6, 2022

UPDATED, 2/12/2024: Redmond Town Center Could Have 12-Story Buildings

RTC / Kidder.com

Update 2/2024:  RTC will have two 12-story buildings and potentially two 7-story buildings according to their new Master Plan.  

Several years from now, Redmond Town Center (RTC) may be torn down and redeveloped.  The vision is "to encourage redevelopment of RTC from an auto-centric suburban campus to a walkable mixed-use urban neighborhood."  The light rail station is a step away; it's a primary driver.  Council is presently  reviewing, the Master Plan, Zoning amendments, and the urban center element.  To a small degree the Planning Commission is involved.  

The developer, Fairbourne Properties, is asking Council to remove constraints and be flexible, as follows:  
  • build as high as 12 stories "in return for public benefits."
  • removing the 600,000 square feet requirement of minimal leasable areas.
  • remove the minimum retail provision
  • remove the commercial provision
Councilmembers asked staff for information in preparation for their Study Session two weeks away:

Councilmember (CM) Vanessa Kritzer wants an explanation of "building up in return for public benefits." She was concerned about sufficient affordable housing. CM Jessica Forsythe wants a dedicated community for start-up businesses.  She asked for a map with building heights, holistically including nearby property owners. CM Steve Fields wasn't certain how "auto-centric" the area is . CM Melissa Stuart wanted discussion on protection of the large open space owned by RTC.  A stream buffer could be vulnerable.  She asked for 2021 Council conversation records.

Planning Director Helland asked the public to give their input to the Planning Commission. To comment email Chair Sherri Nichols at planningcommission@redmond.gov.  It's my understanding the 
Commission has had two Study Sessions but only two citizens commented at their Hearing. This is a huge development. Consider commenting.

The applicant, Fairbourne Properties, LLC is a full-service real estate investment and property management company focusing on acquiring, managing and asset managing office, retail, and mixed-use properties throughout the United States.  Fairbourne is the property manager of the "Redmond Town Center Creekside Crossing."  The firm is also the applicant for redevelopment of the Center.  

-- Bob Yoder, 4/6/2022
    Source:  City Council Business Meeting and Agenda memo, 4/5/2022

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This vision for another urban village development near QFC/Redmond Center/Opportunity Building:

"The timing of the 22 acre Nelson Master Plan redevelopment will be gradual and evolutionary. You will not see sudden, rapid, dramatic changes.  Our vision is to gradually create an urban village and the central place in the downtown where the community can shop and gather, and also a place where people can live and work.  The timing of each project in the redevelopment will be determined by many factors, including the leases of our current tenants and the needs and opportunities presented by the marketplace.  Since retail is an important component of the vision, we will strive to retain our current tenants."
--Tom Markl, CEO Nelson Properties

1 comment:

  1. Hi Bob. Do you have an idea on how we can comment on this proposal, if at all? I am surprised I missed it back in April; I try to keep up to date on development proposals set forth for the downtown corridor in Redmond. Any insight into whether comments are still being considered would be appreciated. I'll dig into this too.

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