Forensic Consultant Must Be Present During Old Firehouse Demolition

Rosemarie Ives, Founder of the OFH Teen Center

While listening to the Council’s last parks committee meeting on demolition of the Old Firehouse, council inquired about preservation efforts. There were several erroneous comments from staff but staff’s words are not binding. The demolition bid does not make mention of methodology to be used for a building that has historical and cultural significance—neither staff nor salvage companies have that expertise. So I have three requests:

1. That Council directs the mayor to separately contract with a forensic consultant to be present on site during all of the demolition.

2. That an interpretive display be prominently erected on site acknowledging the building’s storied history.

3. That the city contracts with an oral history expert to interview the former city clerk, former parks and teen center directors and Fire and police personnel.

4. Provide the Redmond Historical Society with a copy.

-- The Honorable Former Mayor Rosemarie Ives, 4/15/2026

cc: Mayor Birney