Downtown Redmond Homeless House Stalled, Federal Funds At Risk?

 

I chatted almost an hour with Sarah Dickmeyer today in her Together Center office. Sarah is the "Exterrnal Affaires Manager" for Plymouth Housing. They plan to open permanent supportive housing for 100 men and wowen,mostly seniors with disabilities. 

I wanted to know why the ground isn't yet broken for construction; late April was the target month.  Sarah thinks August is the likely start time.  The large AMLI apartment project is still under construction and is interfering.  Sarah said the delay had nothing to do with finances, at this time.   

Federal money accounts for 25 - 30% of their system-wide funding!  The funding goes through the county first (a jursidiction in the hole.) Of course, Trump has cutting federal, homeless funding on his list (along with everything else.)  Ms. Lee, the Plymouth CEO, is very concerned and is planning for the worse.  Sarah was worried Medicaid is on the chopping block as well.  CONNECTIONS Behavioral Health Crisis Center in Kirkland offers hope. Plymouth's dual diagnosis individuals can be treated for free.  EvergreenHealth is also close by.  

Los Angeles, New York and then Seattle have the highest homelessness in the Nation, according to a study in the Seattle Times.  The cities that do the best for homeless focus on shelters.  Shelters give immediate care.  It can take almost a decade to construct and fully develop a permanent suportive building. In the meantime, individuals die in the streets unsheltered. It's happening in Seattle and with light rail, Kenmore, Redmond and Kirkland will follow.   

Call our Senators Patty Murray and Maria Canwell to protest withdrawals of federal funds and Medicaid cuts.  

-- Bob Yoder, opinion. 6/11/25

Riding light rail is a snap, just ask Mayor Angela Birney!

2 Line Train Problems Continue

The following 2 Line Train problems were reported by Sound Transit today, June 11:

Marymoor Village Station - Elevator 1 unavailable until further notice. Elevator at Exit A.  

2 Line trains are sharing one track at the BelRed Station until further notice due to maintenance activity.

2 Line trains are sharing one track from Redmond Technology Station to Downtown Redmond Station until further notice.

2 Line trains Downtown Redmond Station - Elevator 1 unavailable until further notice. 

Exit B

2 Line Downtown Redmond Station - Elevator 2 unavailable until further notice. Exit A.  

Contact Sound Transit to be put on service alert texts. 888-889-6365

Ukranian Resident Runs 100 Miles In One Day

Dima Voyt, a Redmond Ukranian resident ran 100 miles in one day!  Why??  He was raising awareness (and funds) for the challenges facing Ukranian amputees -- physical mobility, mental health, and financial needs.  It's estimated 80,000 amputees are war related. 

Dima beat the hot weather running mostly at night.  He left from his home in Marymoor at 12:01 a.m. and finished the next day in the Downtown park about 7:45 p.m.  Dima is an ultramarathoner;  he ran almost four marathons that day!

A few ran alongside him from time to time.  Some stops:   Lake Sammamish,  the Sammamish River Trail, Kenmore, Seward Park, Washington University, 3-legs in Bellevue, the SR520 bridge, Totem Lake, and HOME to fanatic Ukranians. and local cheerleaders.  I learned about the event from Steve Fields.  The iced drinks were cool 😅 

-- Bob Yoder, 6/10/2025   

2 Line Shuttle Buses Are Replacing Some 2 Lines Due To Power Issues

2 Line Shuttle buses are replacing the 2 Line from BelRed Station to Downtown Redmond Station until further notice due to power issues.  Last updated: Jun 08, 2025 3:17 PM

OPINION: Rebuild And Enlarge the Old Firehouse Teen Center, Everyone Wins

After participating in the Marymoor "Listening Session" and talking to the Parks Director and historical society, I see little hope of saving the Old Fire House (OFH) for the teens. 

Affordable housing is desparately needed.  Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solutionl.  The two lower floors could be used for teen programs; the top four floors for work-force housing.  

 A resident gave testimony at the last council meeting, recommending re-opening the outside areas of the OFH center this summer until council takes action. The chairs, tables and 2 basketball courts could be put to good use for performing arts and social space.  

_ Bob Yoder, 6/8/2025, opinion

Feel free to post (and read) a comment...

Redmond Resident Runs To Downtown Park For Ukranians

 

Dima is a Redmond resident!  

His ultramarathon is a one-day run on Sunday, June 8 to support Ukranians who have lost their limbs. The Last Leg:  Totem Lake to Redmond Downtown Park - SR 520 Trail and Cross Kirkland Corridor.  

7:35 PM finish time at the Downtown Park.  I hope some residents will come out to cheer and celebrate Dima as he crosses the finish line.  Bring some sliced oranges, hydration packets and a bucket of ice! And, don't forget your wallet!

Many thanks to Council member Steve Fields for the heads up!  Steve said he'd be there.  

Downtown Station Light Rail Art

Downtown Station Light Rail Bicycle Mural Art

Julie Paschkis, J.PA, SCH

Glass mosaic / 2024

"Redmond is a good place for bicyclists.  It is sometimes called the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest.  On Derby Days there are bicycle races at the Velodrome."  

Julie Paschkis, J.PA, SCH

Glass mosaic / 2024

"During the days riders pedal along trails, meander through lanes, and commute on the streets of Redmond.  At night the bicycle constellation shines down on them." 

-- Sound Transit art mural installation, 166th Avenue NE / photos Yoder, 5/31/25

Light Rail Downtown Station Tributes

"Arnold / Redmond Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee"

Look around the Downtown Light Rail Station and you'll see plexi-glass panal tributes like this one of Arnold Tomac.  

There's a whole lot more to Arnie than his leading the "PED/BIKE Advisory Committee."  He was an early President of Redmond City Council, a Co-Founder of Redmond Town Center, to name a few.   

A kind and giving man ... 

-- Yoder, 5/16/25 

New Light Rail Extension Opening in Redmond

Pre-launch interviews before the opening ceremony.  

It's anticipated the East Link and 2 Line will connect with 1 Line in Seattle early 2026 providing testing goes well.   

Downtown / Marymoor Village Light Rail Station Celebration

     Seattle Times article on the Opening 5/10 

Join the community, leaders, and contributors from across the region on May 10 to celebrate two new stations on the 2 Line. ... Downtown Station / Marymoor Village Station.  

At 10:30 a.m., a speaking program will kick off the day at Downtown Redmond Station (16620 NE 76th St. Redmond, WA 98052), followed by a ribbon cutting.

Light rail is coming to Downtown Redmond! Move Redmond is excited to host Trail 2 Transit presented by Sound Transit and in partnership with Eastrail Partners & Africans on the Eastside. Join us May 10th from 12:00pm-4pm along with Sound Transit, Eastrail Partners,  Africans on the Eastside, and others to celebrate the Downtown Redmond light rail opening, a new critical connection into Downtown Redmond! During the day’s festivities, walk, bike or roll between Redmond light rail station and Redmond Central Connector to celebrate the opening of light rail with vendors, live entertainment, delicious food, and family friendly activities.

Sound Transit, 5/9/2025 At Downtown Redmond Station, join Move Redmond for a stroll or roll along Redmond's Central Connector Trail from the train station to the park. All along the trail you’ll find local vendors, live music, tasty food, and family-friendly fun. 

How to get there

The following bus routes serve Downtown Redmond Station: King County Metro Route 250, RapidRide B Line, and ST Express 545 (drops off one block away).

Microsoft will also provide shuttles and ADA minivans running every 15 minutes between Redmond Technology Station, Marymoor Parking Garage, and Downtown Redmond Station from 9 a.m. until service begins.

Downtown Redmond Station does not have a parking facility, and Redmond Town Center does not allow event parking. We encourage you to take public transit to the event, if you can. show hosted by Africans on the Eastside. Music, dancing and a fashion show hosted by Africans on the Eastside.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration In Redmond Downtown Park

 

Centro Cultural Mexicano welcomes community to Redmond for Cinco de Mayo event

Redmond Downtown Park will be filled with live music, dancing, art, and more on Sunday, May 4, for the annual Cinco de Mayo event.

7 hours on continual music and lots of food!  (darn, I can't make it.) 😞

King 5 Centro Cultural Mexicano interview

Meadows, Pollinators, Trees, Seeds and Gardens!

Letter to Council and Office of the Mayor:  

I really liked​ Deputy Park Director Dave Tuchek's presentation last night:  ​His naturalized meadow growing ​efforts will develop this Priority habitat!   ​His short explanation and education of pollinators was really interesting and brought things into a worldly perspective.  Amazing in-house construction and design of the Anderson Community Gardens!  And, Redmond wild flower seed packets to boot. ☝

Am so ​happy you are on a Redmond 2050 mission towards 40%​ tree canopy​; and you are identifying planting locations towards that end.  ​How will you build your tree stock for these massive plantings? ​The development community will have to pitch in. 

​

Please write a modified tree regulation ordinance to balance our tree canopy ​with housing needs.  ​A modified tree ordinance will build replacement tree stock ​and give us a chance to reach 40% canopy by 2050.  

https://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2025/04/tree-code-needs-modification-to.html  

​

Though you may be targeting low canopy locations, the Heron Rookery has immense cultural, natural, environmental, and historical value.  This forest remnant is a city gem.  I did a planting there last year and the city knows there's root rot and stoney soils.  My wish is you commit to a major understory restoration effort there, and construct narrow pathways for nature walks. Thank you! 

-- Bob Yoder, 4/25/2025

Updated: TEEN COMMUNITY BULLETIN

After attending the Marymoor "Listening Session" and talking to the Parks Director and historical society, I see little hope of saving the OFH just for the teens.  Affordable housing is desparately needed.  Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solution.  The ground story could be used for teen programs.  The top 5 floors for work force housing.  -  B. Yoder, 5/18/2025

NOTICE

Please join Redmond's teen community at City Hall this Tuesday, 4/29, 7PM to speak to the council and mayor about saving the Old Fire House (OFH) Teen Center.  This historic building is now shuttered and Mayor Birney and her staff say they haven't decided what to do with it.  Park Director Loreen Hamilton talks it up as a hazardous waste site. 

Teens are now forced into using the distant multi-use Marymoor Community Center.  While OFH is vacant, the city could be renovating and upgrading it for future use, not scrapping it for another cookie-cutter apartment building.   

I certainly agree with the teens (and a few councilmembers!) the OFH is symbolic and worthy of landmark status. Please bring your families and friends to City Hall Tuesday, 4/29 to show your support.  Plan to arrive early to sign-in if you plan to speak (up to three minutes.)   

-- B. Yoder, 4/25/2025 

Background information.

UPDATED: Redmond Seeks to Move Resources From Popular Old Fire House Teen Center

A video of teens giving passonate testimony to Council this week .

(click link)

The City may close down the Old Fire House Teen Center "for safety reasons" despite over 3,400 signatures to keep it open. Ironically, the Nelson Legacy Group (NLG) headquarters is directly adjacent to the Teen Center.  NLG the largest landowner and developer in Redmond.  

photo Bob Yoder

From the COR Marketing Department:  "Redmond is planning for the future of Redmond’s younger residents and wants to understand how to best serve the community of teens (approximately 13 to 19 years old), now and in the future.

Throughout spring 2025, the City will engage with the community to learn more about what Redmond teens need, how the City can best serve their interests, and where services are needed the most.

For more information on the project and the history of teen services in Redmond, visit redmond.gov/TeenServices(External link)."

-- redmond.gov  4/8/2025

###

On 04/15/25, twenty-two teens spoke pasionately to Council of the importance of the Redmond Fire House Teen Center, comparing it to how "sterile" and unwelcoming the Marymoor Community Center is.  Hear their passionate testimonies at this link:  

https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/3096?view_id=2&redirect=true

-- Bob Yoder, 4/18/25

"Hands Off" Demonstrators Rally At Downtown Park

 

"HAND OFF" DEMONSTRATION IN REDMOND DOWNTOWN PARK, photo Matt Loschen

In Redmond, attendees heard from City Councilmember and State Representative Osman Salahuddin and United States Representative Suzan DelBene. “This is the energy that’s going to send a clear message to House Republicans, Musk and Trump for tanking our economy, attacking Social Security and Medicaid,” DelBene said.

By Andrew Villenveuve, 4/5/2025

Cascadia Advocate (NPI) 

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

Senior Center Art And Activities

Alice Groaski

Flowing,2023

Watercolor on paper, Japanese  

woodblock print  26x20

$250 206-612-3260

Monthly Senior ENCORE Newsletter. - a must read - online or in print.  

Register for Senior Center Activities and Special Events HERE  ("Winter Whimsey" tickets are going fast.) 

Community Centers 

The Front Desk will help you sign up for activities. 

OR contact Karen Phillips, 425-556-2388, kphillips@redmond.gov for assistance OR email guestservices@redmond.gov.

- Yoder

  1/3/2025

Mayor Birney's 2024 Redmond LIGHTS

  " YOUR PLACE IN THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE" 

Artist:  Karl Whiteside

(click picture to enlarge) 

Four-week Detour On Redmond Way

 

Bike and Pedestrian Detour in Downtown Redmond  

As early as the morning of Dec. 9th, Sound Transit’s contractors will be closing a section of sidewalk along Redmond Way and routing people walking or rolling on a temporary detour route. The closure and associated detour will be in place for approximately four weeks.   

 

The detour route will utilize a section of the future East Lake Sammamish Trail which will open in 2025. Once this temporary detour has been utilized this section of the East Lake Sammamish Trail will be closed until construction is completed in 2025. Please see the map below for more information on the detour route.  

City Seeking Comments For Downtown Homeless Project

City Seeking Comments For Downtown Plymouth Homeless Housing Project 

INVITATION TO COMMENT:  COMMENT DUE DATE BY:  NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Description of Proposal: Construction of a six-story mixed-use development including 100 units of permanent supportive housing property management offices, resident services, interior and exterior resident amenity spaces, and approximately 2150 sf of commercial space. 

The building and surrounding fenced structure is located in Downtown Redmond across from Anderson Park and not far from Redmond Elementary. It will permanently house 65% homeless individuals from the Eastside and 35% homeless from the Seattle area.  The facility has "no barrier" to entry.  

 

To view more information about this project, click the link below.

Plymouth Supportive Housing | Redmond, WA 

 

To comment contact the city planner:

• David Lee
• dlee@redmond.gov
• 425-556-2462

Date of City Notice:  Monday, October 21, 2024 

                                           King 5 inclusive coverage