I've lived in Redmond 40 years and started writing "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" AKA Redmond Blog 20 years ago. "Redmond Blog" has top ranking. I'm a community volunteer and publish without pay. My stories are researched, opinionated and often sourced. My first blogposts daylighted contamination to salmon-bearing Evans Creek to hold the city accountable. I'm an activist and advocate.
Redmond Blog's mission is to keep our community connected and responsive to each other and to make Redmond a better place to live. Attention is paid to daylighting the local governments of the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and EvergreenHealth Public Hospital. To this end, some of my reporting focuses on government transparency, accountability and citizen participation.
EvergreenHealth excels in many clinical areas winning national recognition and awards. For years this community hospital never provided treatment for mental health other than in their Emergency Departments. In 2025, the COO of trauma opened two outpatient behavioral health clinics, began psychiatric telehealth services in their Emergency Departments and hired a Behavioral Health Director to oversee social workers stationed in clinics and high schools. Under the tenure of 5 CEO's I made made copious presentations to the Board of Commissioners. They honored me in 2024 with the annual "Community Service Award" for "open" governance education, advocating for out-patient behavioral health clinics and mitigating stigma.
The Lake Washington School District once faced unprecedented growth equivalent to one new elementary school a year. It's now the 2nd largest school district in Washington State. A $120M 6-year Capital Projects Levy on the 2019 ballot to bridge future capital bonds passed. And, in February of 2022 a second 4-year renewal Capital Projects Levy passed. The District proposed a 3rd levy in 2024; it passed as well. In 2026, two, 4-year renewal levy lid lifts passed by 60%. I had a good working relationship with the superintendent and was a sole citizen to speak at a budget hearing, with results. Property taxes continually keep rising.
The City of Redmond's downtown and Overlake urban centers are full of apartment construction cranes and detours. Parking is is a serious issue. The roads are congested and in poor repair. Our well water is contaminated. The neighborhoods and fine parks and trails offer respite; though housing is seriously unaffordable. It's expected a downtown "permanent supportive housing" building for 100 homeless individuals will open in 2027. The public is vehemently protesting; others want it. Parks, trails and salmon streams are the heart and soul of Redmond.
When I moved here in 1978, Redmond was a one stoplight town and trees abounded. As of 2026, most all the trees and small business malls are torn down, including the Old Fire House Teen.Center. 6-8 story mid-rises repllace small businesses. The city is populated with excellent multi-cultural restaurants but with little opportunity for evening entertainment. 12-15 story towers are planned for downtown Redmond Town Center and performance center in Overlake. Light rail to Seattle was completed in 2026 in time for the World Cup. It will transform our city.
I no longer blog to campaign for council candidates. Most members are Progressive and I don't like their partisonship. I've followed most of their meetings on TV or in-person..
I'm 75 years old and family is pulling me to Spokane. I've written the blog with history in mind. It's time to move down,the road, and piick-up a few trailheads along the way. Thank you for your readership throughout the years!
Bob Yoder
Education Hill
Redmond, 98052
redmondblog@gmail.com
2/8/2025, updated 5/21/26
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