After two listening sessions Council still hasn't made a decision on saving the Old Fire House Teen Center. Councilmenbers Steve Fields and Jessica Forsythe see the 50-year old builidng as a city treasure. 5/19.
Background: It took years of deliberation on funding and design for "rebuilding" and expansion of the Senior Center. Council actually considered a $17,116,000 "councilmanic" bond fundiing that doesn't require a vote of the people. Later, they decided to discard and replace this funding with "one-time money" (funds from retail construction excise taxes.)
Thus, I agree, Council could find the money to renovate the Old Fire House Teen Center, but Mayor Birney would have to work with the One Redmond Foundation, with backing from the historical society and Director Helland to make it happen. According to historical society President John Oftebro, the building isn't safe.
The Mayor has to conclude the Old Fire House a totally unsafe while taking heat from the development community. The Center is used primarily by a tiny, vocal segment of the city in a time with affordable housing is at a premium.
The unwelcome alternative to renovating our cherished firehouse is tear down the entire Old Fire House (including the basketball courts) and expand to 5-6 stories for affordable housing with the lower 1-2 stories reserved the for the teens. The teens would have final say on the programs there, as per listening sessions.
-- Response to a reader's comment, by Bob Yoder, 6/19/2025
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