UPDATED OPINION: Tree Loss Is Severely Changing The Character Of Redmond

 I've lived in Redmond 44 years and have witnessed the severe tree loss. Fortunately, neighborhoods like Education Hill and Grasslawn have retained most of their character.  Loss in the urban centers and outlying developments is severe. - Yoder

OPINION:  When tree loss from city mitigation is combined with tree loss from  private development the impact to our environment and city character is severe.   A case in point is the Chelsea Square II project of two-eight story downtown buildings.  Its Tree Preservation Map shows all trees will be stripped including most lush street trees.  (NE 83rd Street, 164th Street.)  Especially damaging, Tree Regulations protecting our canopy haven't been upadated in over 26 years.  Good for the developers, bad for our environment and city character. 

   

Canopy provides  cooling, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, raises property values, improves mental health, lowers blood pressure and more.                

City Tree Mitigation Update, 2025:  

The City will remove, top or limb ~ 271 trees by late 2025 with more to come in 2026. 

BACKGROUND:  In 2023 the city assesseed 18,000 city-owned trees for health in parks, right of ways, open spaces, and street trees, to ensure public safety while preserving our urban forest. The assessment focused on trees that were 12” or greater in trunk diameter [significant and landmark trees] located within striking distance of a target, near streets, parking spaces, buildings, or structures. 

In 2024 the 35 the city's highest priority trees were mitigated for health risks.  Council Presisident Kritzer was unhappy when she heard of this and planned to look at them before they were cut.    

David Tuchek, a Deputy Parks Director said about a third of the trees would be removed, a third would be topped into snags for wildlife habitat, and a third would be limbed or pruned.  After hearing Tuchek's report, Council President Kritzer reneged stating the mitigation plan was a good for the city and wildlife habitat. 

In 2025, the city will focus on the next 50-60 highest priority trees with additional funding for mitigation in 2026.  That's a total of  ~ 271 trees that will be mitigated (removed, topped, limbed, pruned) by 2025 with more to come in 2026.  After a query by CM Fields the Parks Director listed several projects in place like Green Redmond for planting tree replacements. 

-- 3/25/25 Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Services

UPDATED: Redmond Locals Wary of Controversial Plymouth Housing Project

This video is eye opening.  

After the Special Meeting closed, Mayor Birney refused to respond to questioning from the media: though a 2/13 agenda memo stated:  "Council's approval gave the Mayor approval to pursue the project contingent on further discussion."    

The housing project is described here. 

-- Bob Yoder, 2/15/2024

Source:  Council's Special Meeting agenda of 2/13/2024

There's No Stopping Growth In Redmond

There's no stopping growth in Redmond / credit Bob Yoder

A view from Mr. Nelson's downtown "Redmond Center" parking lot. The red crane is constructing his "The Charles." building.  (Apparently, several members in Mr. Nelson's extended family carry the name "Charles.")  When finished, the structure will reach 8-stories, have 244 residential units, 4,920 sf of live work space, and 4,316 sf of retail.  

The Charles is the first project of a 22-acre Urban Village he plans for our downtown.  In part, it will encompass land along the Sammamish River, the Opportunity Building (OB), a large parcel adjacent to OB, the Redmond Center, and the parking lot behind QFC.  

The Nelson Legacy Group (NLG) has been family-owned since the early 1950s. NLG operates retail and office properties located in Redmond, Kirkland and eastern Washington, conducting leasing, developing and property acquisition from offices in Redmond.  

Two other significant Urban Villages in Overlake are approved.  One of the villages is 14 acres including the demolition of Sears.    

-- Bob Yoder, 2/5/2024

Sources:  Design Review Board Memorandum, 4/15/2020; Carol Helland, Director Planning & Community Development; Thomas L. Markel, NLG; CLARK BARNES "NLG Project One Design Review," 12/03/2020    

UPDATED: Redmond Lights Festivities, No rain, Good Times!

Saturday, December 2nd 4-8 p.m. Kick-off Event downtown

Yay, it didn't rain!  no wind or cold!  For us, the best part of Redmond Lights were the unannounced musical performances in Redmond Town Center.  

We were fortunate to find a few of them.  By far, our favorite were the Hrailmore Ukrainian carolers!...beautiful people, happy and heartwarming music...singing and dancing in authentic Ukrainian dress.  Watch them perform on their Facebook site here!  And, watch a short performance here!  

The Ukrainian carolers at Redmond Town Center

Underneath the RTC Christmas Tree
Merry Christmas from Bob, Pam and Zoey Yoder!

Four years from now when RTC is fully redeveloped I hope Fairbourne (the RTC owner) will commission performances at the Center every month.  It would be good for the retailers and the community.

-- Bob Yoder, 12/3/2023 

Homeless Hotel Will House 35-65% Adults With Local Community Ties

Redmond Silver Cloud Homeless Hotel
 credit Kirkland Reporter

King County is partnered with Redmond to provide emergency and permanent housing for up to 100 individuals experiencing, or at risk of chronic homelessness. Redmond's "Homeless Hotel" will open in early Winter 2024 after ramping down its temporary use for the refugee resettlement project. 

The Salvation Army was selected as operator in September 2023.  They will develop a gradual, phased approach for housing up to 100 individuals at this site. 

Q: Who will be considered to live in the building? 

A: The target population is adults whose income is at or below 30% of the area median and who are experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. 35-65% of units are prioritized for individuals with local community ties. 

Q: Will the building have 24/7 staffing? 

A: All Health Through Housing buildings have 24/7 on-site support staff and comprehensive, wraparound services, including: • Employment navigators • Behavioral health services available on-site • Connection to physical and behavioral health care • Assistance in enrolling in Apple Health and other public benefits 

Q: Will The Salvation Army provide these services? 

A: The Salvation Army will provide property management and 24/7 support staffing services in-house. The Salvation Army will also partner with King County’s Department of Community and Human Services and local service providers to provide the wraparound services. 

Q: Will there be security? 

A: The Redmond Homeless Hotel will have experienced, 24/7 on-site staff who are trained in trauma-informed care, crisis support, and de-escalation techniques. As an evidence-based model, permanent supportive housing does not feature security guard services, but it does call for clinically trained staff to be on-site and on-duty around the clock. Further, The Salvation Army will be responsible for developing a Safety and Security Plan as required by Redmond Zoning Code 

Redmond To Launch Small Business Resiliency Grant

REDMOND, WA - The City and OneRedmond are partnering on a small business grant fund, which will open for applications on Monday, Oct. 16. The program will offer relief in the form of one-time $5,000 grants to small, for-profit businesses that have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and related public health measures.

The City is dedicating more than $500,000 to this fourth round of city-distributed funding, specifically designed for the small business community. The grant is funded by American Rescue Plan Act federal dollars and a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) will be required prior to the award.

“The City of Redmond is committed to supporting small business owners,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “These small businesses bring a vibrant and vital energy to our local economy, and it is important that we nurture their success today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”

Echoing Mayor Birney, Kristina Hudson, Chief Executive Officer for OneRedmond, said, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they have been vulnerable to the lingering effects of the pandemic. OneRedmond is proud to partner again with the City of Redmond on this grant program to help support small businesses who are critical to our community’s economic vitality.”

Eligible businesses must be located within the City of Redmond zip code of 98052 and have 10 or fewer employees. Grants will be awarded through a lottery system performed by an external organization.

"Redmond Space District"

The "Redmond Space District" Brand

More satellites are made in Redmond, Washington than anywhere else in the world.

This brand was developed to showcase the dramatic growth of Redmond’s Space Cluster. According to research by Alliance Velocity, Redmond companies produce almost half of the satellites in earth’s orbit, and are projected to manufacture more than 75% of the world’s satellites in the near future based on current and future FCC approved satellites. 

Redmond has a long history in the space industry dating back to 1967 when Aerojet Rocketdyne, broke ground on their first site in Redmond. Today, Redmond is home to an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem alongside two of the largest satellite manufacturers in the world: SpaceX, and Amazon Project Kuiper. 

Along with the two satellite manufacturing giants, Redmond’s robust and growing commercial space sector also includes Honeywell Aerospace, Kymeta, Microsoft’s Azure Orbital, RBC Signals, Spectralux, and Triumph providing a rich environment for small businesses like Xplore to locate in Redmond to grow and prosper. 

Source:  excerpts and edits from OneRedmond press release, 3/30/2023

OneRedmond is a public-private partnership for economic and community development. Supported by local private sector businesses in close partnership with the City of Redmond. OneRedmond strives to be the difference maker in connecting our local companies and educational community with resources to keep our local economy stable and growing. For more information go to www.OneRedmond.org

UPDATED: Work Underway For Innovative "Anderson AMLI Project"

click image to enlarge

FedEx, Value Village and 8 small businesses are removed or re-located:

Dog Day Care, Romos, Gyros 2 Go, Costumes, Fun&Study, Kim's Hair

and Malt & Vine.  

                                                        AMLI  PROJECT  DEMOLITION

                                             Correction:  FedEx moved  next to Jersey Mikes  

Location:  AMLI:  Redmond Way & Avondale Way.  Adjacent McDonalds and Anderson Park; in the old Value Village mall. 

The applicant proposes the construction of two adjacent buildings, referred to as the “West” building and the “East” building respectively. The project includes a "pouch porch" dog run with space for hop scotch, 4-square and living green walls.  The applicant is proposing a woonerf on Avondale Way to safely connect the buildings.

Plantings and a green wall element were added along the ground level to enhance the pedestrian experience along the Redmond Central Connector. Two variations for the integration of planters and vertical green wall trellises are proposed to create visual interest along the concrete wall. 

The west building is a mix of residential and retail uses and varies in height ranging from five to seven-stories. 11,070 sf of commercial retail uses located along Redmond Way. On levels two through seven, there are 249 residential units. 237 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1

The east building is six stories and is a multi-family apartment building. Residential amenity space is provided at the ground level. On levels two through six, there are 127 residential units. 205 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1. 

A future elevated rail line is proposed south of the project as a part of the Sound Transit Downtown Redmond Link.

-- Design Review Board, April 2022

Three additional posts on this innovative AMLI project are HERE.

Prepared by Bob Yoder, 9/26/2023

UPDATED: Kirkland's "Urban Plaza" Glass Buildings

Kirkland's Urban Plaza - a similar 6-story building is across from a "living street" / Credit Bob Yoder

                                                          

I had an eye examination today in Kirkland.  My wonderful optometrist moved from Redmond Town Center to Kirkland's Urban Plaza and wow! ...that retail - apartment - commercial center is a beauty! 

Check out this 6-story mixed-use building and it's architecture. See the use of glass for the façade?  I'm sending this photo to the new Redmond Town Center owner asking him to seriously consider glass materials.  The owner, Fairbourne, is building two 12-story buildings; I hope he will build with innovative materials and architecture.  Residents crave a creative, sparkling downtown building that will make us proud to live here.  

I've been told Google owns all the Urban Plaza land.  A local office is on-site.  Of course, they have deep pockets and can afford architecture that looks great.  It makes me wonder why the city couldn't broker a deal between Microsoft and the previous RTC owner. What a huge opportunity. Well, we have Fairbourne instead.  They're supposed to be a premier retail developer.  Let's hope they know how to design outstanding buildings as well.    

 -- opinion/photo, Bob Yoder, 9/4/2023 

The AI revolution - Microsoft vs. Google

Google CEO interview:  This video shows how amazing AI (artificial intelligence) is and why it needs to be regulated.  

So far, Google has 92.07% market share vs. 2.99% market share of Microsoft's BING search engine. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says AI is shaking up the competition for search. He argues that AI's new wave of technology is as big as the web browser or the iPhone.

-- posted by Yoder

Marymoor Village Apartment Complex Offers Public Community Gardens

The city wants to see Marymoor Village of SE Redmond develop into an eclectic neighborhood, different from the downtown.   For the summer months and with a splash of art, Spectra Apartments in Marymoor Village is going in the right direction!

Partnering with the City of Redmond, Spectra apartments offers two community Gardens as an amenity for their tenants.  The Gardens are also open to the public. The Spectra front desk manages the Gardens, not the city.  We signed up and are 3rd on the wait list for an $80/year box.  

3 rows of carrots have sprouted!  

Spectra Apartment Community Gardens

(click images to enlarge)

-- Bob Yoder, photos, 7/29/2023

Redmond Space District, More Satellites Than Any In The World

Mayor Birney (in blue) with Redmond Space District Leaders show proclamations officially launching the Space District

Redmond, WA – Mayor of Redmond Angela Birney announced the launch of the Redmond Space District today in partnership with OneRedmond at the annual State of the City. This brand was developed to showcase the dramatic growth of Redmond’s Space Cluster. 

According to research by Alliance Velocity, Redmond-based companies produced almost half of the satellites in earth’s orbit, and are projected to manufacture more than 75% of the world’s satellites in the near future based on current and future FCC approved satellites.

“Redmond has a long history in the space industry dating back to 1967 when Aerojet Rocketdyne, broke ground on their first site in Redmond,” said Kristina Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of OneRedmond. “Today, Redmond is home to an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem alongside two of the largest satellite manufacturers in the world: SpaceX, and Project Kuiper.” 

Redmond’s innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem leverages the region’s major strengths in information technology, manufacturing, and aerospace. Along with the two satellite manufacturing giants, Redmond’s robust and growing commercial space sector also includes Honeywell Aerospace, Kymeta, Microsoft’s Azure Orbital, RBC Signals, Spectralux, and Triumph providing a rich environment for small businesses like Xplore to locate in Redmond to grow and prosper.

 "Positioning Xplore in this hub for space activity and innovation was strategic,” said Lisa Rich, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Xplore. “We are surrounded by a community of customers and colleagues including SpaceX, Microsoft's Azure Orbital and Amazon Project Kuiper, and we have fantastic vendors and suppliers." 

Washington State is positioned well to become a global leader in the space industry, with Redmond as one if its shining stars. 

Mayor Angela Birney's 2022 State of the City Address (Video)

###

OneRedmond is a public-private partnership for economic and community development. Supported by local private sector businesses in close partnership with the City of Redmond. OneRedmond strives to be the difference maker in connecting our local companies and educational community with resources to keep our local economy stable and growing.

Source:  Kristina Hudson CEO, OneRedmond kristinah@oneredmond.org 

"Flatstick Pub" Coming To RTC

Flatstick worker installing screening (click pic to enlarge)

 Much needed entertainment in Redmond is on the way!  Opening day could be as early as the first week in January.

Flatstick serves-up craft beer, pizza and entertainment in the form of golf-like games!

Every Sunday all year Flastick donates to charity $2 for every beer sold.

Address:  7530 164th Ave. NE

Just what is a flatstick?  Bring your own.  

7-Acre Parcel For Sale In Downtown Carnation

 

As of 2021, the population of Carnation is 2,200.

A 7.1-acre parcel is available for sale in downtown Carnation, according to the city.

“This property presents a great economic development opportunity for the future of Carnation,” said Mayor Kim Lisk in the release, noting that the city expects to welcome in over 200 new homes in the future.

The property is currently zoned for light industrial/manufacturing use, but the RFI states that the city is considering amending the zoning designation for the property to agritourism. Desired uses include corporate offices, hotels, breweries or restaurants. 

The Schefer Riverfront Park parcel is located at 4301 Larson Avenue, Carnation, near Tolt-MacDonald Park and Carnation Market. The property is currently owned by the city.

Chicago Firm Bought Redmond Town Center For $192 Million

The open-air Redmond Town Center has often struggled to keep up with tawnier local shopping centers and has suffered from the rise of e-commerce. (Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times)

You may have heard Redmond Town Center was purchased by Chicago-based Fairbourne Properties in 12/31/2019.  Fairbourne owns or manages 16 other properties. The Center was on the market for 1.5 years. In 2013, the sellers purchased the 120 acre property for $127 million.  

The property has three parcels:  a two-story shopping center, former Macy's (now housing Amazon engineers,) and adjacent commercial property.  The three parcels combined are 21.5 acres.  

According to a Seattle Times article, "Redmond Town Center suffered from e-commerce.  The "village style" open-air mall struggled to keep up with "tonier" Bellevue Square."  (Is a large, covered pedestrian place in the offing?)  The Times reports the tenant mix will lean heavily towards local retailers, restaurants, and health and fitness.

-- Bob Yoder, 7/15/2022 

Source:  Seattle Times, Paul Roberts, 12/31/2019

Kringles Bakery Reaches Out For Community Support

Hi Bob! I thought I'd suggest you do a story on Kringles Bakery and the difficulty they are having paying off their landlord and staying in their location. They are doing a gofundme campaign. I think their story may be representative of a lot of what's happening to small businesses in Redmond right now.

-- Emily Johnson, 3/4/2022 Thank you Emily!

Photo credit / Four Square

Kringles Bakery is the yellow "cottage" building located at the junction of Cleveland Street and Redmond Way. You can't miss it! They've been in this location for nine years. The bakery is a flagship small business for Redmond owing it's high visibility, support to our community and amazing, one-of-a-kind kringles! OMG they're good, but notch your belt accordingly.

This is a bakery that really cares about our community. Every Sunday the Redmond Assembly of God parashers pick up baked goods for their morning. Rev. Robroy Ranger sometimes holds small group meetings in the quaint seating area. Day old goods are recycled back to the community. I know they do a lot more.

In these pandemic times, Kringles has one really good thing going for it. Councilmember David Carson is a frequent customer. I've chatted with him twice there; he's usually on his computer. David has strong ties with One Redmond, an organization that supports small businesses.

Kringles still needs community support in a big way. Donate what you can to the: gofundme campaign.!

Thanks for supporting Redmond's small businesses! 

-- Bob Yoder, 3/4/2022

Herfy's Hamburgers Scheduled For Tear Out - 6-Story Sunrise Apartments Construction Soon

The Redmond Corner Market was a poorly lit convenience store.  My daughter's coach bought his trophies from "Redmond Trophy."

.

Herfy's is the cornerstone of the mall.

Herfy's has the broadest selection of hamburgers at the lowest price.  Great shakes too.
Click to enlarge. Find the "mask required sign."  Delta Covid variant is running wild.

 

A warehouse will be built on this site, south of Sunrise.  The popular Brown Bag restaurant was here. Click (double) to see a mall sign and Animal Emergency sign.

 

Description of the Six-Story Sunrise Apartments

Story and photos by Bob Yoder

8/4/2021

Flex Warehouse Project Abuts S.E. Redmond Park

A Redmond warehouse (Internet)
Click the FLEX hyperlink for a video of the project.

The FLEX warehouse/office site is located in a unique location in that a residential development is under construction to the east, SE Redmond Park is located to the south along with single-family residential.  It's 1.5 miles from the light rail. West of the site are light industrial uses, and to the north are industrial uses on the Cadman site.  188th Ave. NE & NE 68th St.  

The project proposes one two-story with 140,000 sf of office and industrial/warehouse space. A surface parking lot is proposed with 270 parking spaces with associated parking lot landscaping. With SE Redmond Park located to the south of the project site, a pedestrian connection is proposed, along with two pedestrian plazas and space for food trucks. The project is in a unique location and will be highly visible as it is surrounded by three streets to the north, east and west, and is also adjacent to SE Redmond Park. 

The project is very well landscaped (Yoder.)  It includes landscaped areas along the perimeter of the site to provide visual screening. The landscape screening includes multiple layers of plantings comprised of low plantings, 75% landscape screening, and solid landscape screening. The surface parking lot and its landscaping also provide a visual buffer from the residential homes soon to be located to the east. 

-- Design Review Board, 7/26/2021. This project is still under review by the Design Review Board.  You may make comment.

Have you heard about the SE Redmond Park?  SE Redmond Park

2021 Redmond Saturday Market Opens May 1st!

2021 Redmond Saturday Market opens May 1st!

The 2021 Redmond Saturday Market season is upon us!  The Market opens May 1st and runs through the last Saturday of October, 9 am to 2 pm.  We have moved to our new permanent home at the parking lot of Overlake Christian Church on Willows Road.  Masks are required of course. 

See you there!

Redmond Saturday Market
www.redmondsaturdaymarket.org
Health, Strength, Kindness. Eyes Up!

King County To Relax Some COVID Restrictions On Businesses

On Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee announced King County will soon be able to relax some COVID-19 restrictions on businesses as it enters Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington plan.

Beginning Monday restaurants may reopen indoor service at 25% capacity through 11pm. Indoor entertainment venues — including museums, gyms, bowling alleys and concert halls — can also reopen to 25% capacity. Bars that don’t serve food, however, will remain closed for the time being.

While these changes are possible due to modest reductions in King County’s COVID-19 rates, the confirmed arrival of the new COVID-19 variant provides another reminder that our work is not done. We must continue to do everything we can to slow the spread of the disease by following these common-sense public health practices: wear masks, keep physical distance, implement good ventilation and stay home when possible.

Read the latest Public Health blog post on the steps we can take to respond to the new variant >>>

-- Claudia Balducci, King County Chair, Position 6

1/30/2021