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| RTC / Kidder.com |
Several years from now, Redmond Town Center (RTC) will 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 only a step away. Planner Carol Helland and Council have been reviewing the Master Plan, Zoning amendments, and the urban center element. To a smaller degree the Planning Commission is involved.
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 owns the property known as "Redmond Town Center Creekside Crossing." and is the applicant for redevelopment of the Center.
Fairbourne 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; only two citizens commented at their Hearing and this is a huge development!
Affordable housing plans are 60% AMI for an undefined number of units.
-- Bob Yoder, 4/6/2022, updated 9/4/2024
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
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.
ReplyDeleteI would email the Mayor at mayor@redmond.gov. and ask how to reach out to Planning Director Helland. It's my understanding she is the Administer of the Master Plan and makes the decisions.
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