Old Fire House Teen Center Analysis

Old Fire House Teen Center

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

City PRIDE Month Celebration Goes Dark

As you know, it's PRIDE month with many celebrations around town.  However, in Council's June 3 Businees meeting during the public comment period, PRIDE went dark.

It all started with the first 3-minute testimony by Aeron H.  He's a Redmond transgender and gave an horrific story of humiliation and death threats. He reported it to the police "with a picture, message, and name and the police did nothing, they did NOTHING!"  Fearful, "I stayed locked in my apartment for two months. No wonder PRIDE doesn't trust the police."  

At this point pro tem mayor, President Kritzer stated "in conclusion," signifying that Aeron's allowable 3-mintute speaking time was up.  Councilmember Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the time.  It was seconded by CM Forsythe. 

After 13 minutes of  Council rules discussion and advice from the city attorney, they decided to suspend the 3-minute rule for this one meeting and allow 4-minute testimonies. Councilmember Stuart thanked Aeron for his patience.  Aeron was annoyed, and then went on for over a minute about "targeted hate crimes" and his distrust for the police. 

-- Bob Yoder, 8/13.25 

Source:  6/3/25 Business meeting video of testimonies  (Aeron's testimony starts at 8:00 min.)

(Historically, the comment period at Business meetings had been 4- minutes but the present council reduced it to 3-minutes; Councilmember David Carson had strong objections to this limitation.) 

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...

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 

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

Redmond Historical Society Newsletter, Annual Meeting

FRESH OFF THE PRESS!  The Society's comprehensive quarterly newsletter.  

Updated: Bomb Cyclone Hits Anderson Park

Four Anderson Park landmark trees were blown down in the same western direction by the eastern winds of the "bomb cyclone.".  

This landmark fir crashed into the well pump station and snapped in half.  Amazingly, it was the only park structure hit by a tree.  Power lines down.  No CERT volunteers present.

This park cottonwood fell in a western direction like all the rest.  The large root

balls will be saved and used in rivers, streams, mitigation banks, for erosion control, soil preservation and salmon habitat.  The city does a great job of installing them in Bear Creek, the Sammamish River. and their flood plains.  These 70-year+ old trees are irreplaceable.  

Photos by Yoder, day after the November 21 "bomb cyclone" 

Posted 11/22/24, updated 11/23

Redmond Historical Society: "Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales"

 

Saturday Speaker Series Spirit Whales and Sloth Tales: Fossils of Washington State

Did you miss this excellent presentation by David B. Williams? A recording has been uploaded to the Redmond Historical Society YouTube channel, and will be available until December 31st, 2024. And, don't forget to check out David's Walks & Talks or his Street Smart Naturalist Newsletter.

Removing Redmond"s Waste -- Past, Present, Future

Redmond Historical Society holds Saturday Speakers Series meeting on

Removing Redmond's Waste - past, present and future:  

Resources:

Video of the Presentation  

• Upcoming Events | Redmond, WA – November and December classes are listed to dive deeper into sustainability topics. Sam Wilder teaches the classes.

• What Goes Where Tool | Redmond, WA – What goes where tool for specialty items. Plug in the item you would like to know what to do with.

• Residents | Redmond, WA – A complete guide of what goes where in Redmond recycling, composting and garbage carts. A reminder, composting is free (as part of garbage service) for all residents- including condos and apartments and businesses.

• BNProject | Home (buynothingproject.org) – This was the group for donating Items you no longer want or receiving items for free from your neighbors that one of the members discussed.

Posted by Yoder, 10/23/24

National Indigenous Peoples Day For Eastside Youth

A Proclamation On Indigenous Peoples' Day, by Joseph R. Biden,

October 7th, 2022

Indigenous Peoples were forcibly removed from ancestral lands, displaced, assimilated, and banned from worshiping or performing many sacred ceremonies.  Yet today, they remain some of our greatest environmental stewards.  They maintain strong religious beliefs that still feed the soul of our Nation.  And they have chosen to serve in the United States Armed Forces at a higher rate than any other group.  Native peoples challenge us to confront our past and do better, and their contributions to scholarship, law, the arts, public service, and more continue to guide us forward.

                       "Am I Enough?" celebration at Lake Washington High

 Am I enough to be seen as an indigenous person?  Watch a short video HERE of students celebrating "Am I Enough." 

Mary Wilber, Program Coordinator of the Eastside Native American Indian Association organizes events for our Salish Sea indigenous youth.  She invites indigenous students from three school districts to her Monday evening classes at Lake Washignton High.  

Pam and I celebrated with the Eastside Native American families at Lake Washington High and in a Pow Wow at Juanita High.  Both ceremonies touched our hearts.  School Board members Siri Bliesner and Mark Stuart participated in the Lake Washington festivities.

Posted by Yoder

10/13/24

Old Redmond Schoolhouse Early Learning Center

In 2016, Lake Washington School District received a bond approval to begin renovating the original schoolhouse to be the district’s first early learning center. It technically opened in September of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to celebrate its opening. Instead, a crowd gathered on February 1, 2023 to mark the delayed opening with a presentation, ribbon cutting and a community open house.

Fun fact: Redmond Coucilmember Osman Sulahuddin is in this video. He always wears clean white sneakers😃. Osman is the youngest member on Council and he represents our youth exceptionally well.

posted by Yoder

10/12/2024

Redmond Community Leader, John Oftebro, "Now And Then"

Photo:  LinkedIn 

John Oftebro 

NOW 

President of the Redmond Historical Society 

John Oftebro in 1967 pictured
outside Kusler’s Pharmacy / Internet

John Oftebro

THEN

Award Winning Pharmacist, Businessman, and Couger Alumnus

UPDATED, PART ONE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / John Oftebro

 

Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration in the new Senior & Community Center

President John Oftebro of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) did a fabulous job producing, directing and emceeing the Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social.  Over 120 attended.  The event was held on Saturday, October 28 at the new Redmond Senior and Community Center.  John's an excellent fund-raiser and superlative jack-of-all trades.  

Laura-Lee Bennett, the Executive V.P. oversaw the event.  RHS Co-founder Miguel Llanos flew up from Los Angeles and gave a 30-minute interactive slide show.  John Couch, Redmond's Park & Rec. Director of 30 years dressed-up as Mayor Bill Brown. Chris "Hurricane" Himes, Redmond's first Strong Mayor gave a charming, short speech. Former Mayor Rosemary Ives was on Block Island attending to her family.  

Board member Deborah Oftebro assembled lead-members to work the coffee cake and cookie table: Judy Lang, Jo Ann Potter, Deb Akerstrom and a Morelli?  My wife Pam and I got to sit with good friends, John Reinke, Gary Smith and Terry Lavender. John Reinke gave the entire audience a holler as he sang along.  

Photo and story by Yoder

9/29/2024

PART TWO: RHS 25th Anniversary / Derby Day Parade

 At the 25th anniversary celebration John Couch dressed up as Mayor Bill Brown

Parks Director of 30 Years John Couch begs RHS Founder Naomi Hardy to shovel manure in a Derby Days Parade  CREDIT/ REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

       

PART THREE: RHS 25th Anniversary Celebration / Bicycle Derby Days

 

Halee Turner, the RHS only paid worker (park time) worked the table-top exhibits.

PART 4: "THIS PLACE MATTERS" - PERRIGO SPRINGS

 

Richard Morris and his dog
stand on the spillway and two children 
  holding a sign "This Place Matters."  (click pic to enlarge)

THIS PLACE MATTERS - PERRIGO SPRINGS

Perrigo Springs was Redmond's first "watering hole."  Indians and early settlers first used the spring.  "Daughters of the American Colonists" placed a 2004 rock marker and planted a Corkscrew tree near the spring. 

Perrigo Springs was purchased by the Redmond Water Department in 1914 and was the first water supply for the newly incorporated town of Redmond. A dam (spillway) was originally constructed to impound the water for storage, with the transmission main a 4” to 8” wood stave pipe. This site was Redmond’s only water supply until 1927 and served as a major source of supply until 1962. Ref: Nao Hardy, 6/07.  

The spring's water source is the Perrigo Creek wetland watershed.  Perrigo Creek drains the Hartman wetland watershed.   Its cooled water "springs up" into a shallow pond filled with natural stones. From there the spring water flows over a small concrete spillway into the creek below and continues downstream.  Upper Perrigo Creek is a dry stream bed much of the time but the spring is active all year.  

It's a quiet place. Children and small dogs playing on the spillway  These children were floating cork boats.  Musicians softly play their guitars while meditating by the Spring.  Small families picnic nearby. The city monitors and maintains the Spring site. 

This picture and story was submitted to the "National Trust for Historic Preservation contest named **THIS PLACE MATTERS."    

-- Bob Yoder 

   June 2, 2009 ,

   edited and reposted 9/28/2024

UPDATED 10/20/24: Miguel Llanos, Redmond Historical Society / 25th Anniversary Celebration

Miguel Llanos

Miguel Llanos is seen orchestrating a "Redmond Historical Society (RHS) Speaker series" event / photo Yoder

I first met Miguel Llanos during the 2008 Perrigo Woodland (Ashford) Trail neighborhood demonstration march through the Perrigo Heights preliminary plat to save its woodlands from development. Council was inspecting the safety of the 40% steep slope sewer line at the time. Miguel set up an exhibit to educate citizens on the history of the woodlands.  

Llanos is an extraordinary Redmond community member.  Among his many roles, he was a co-founder of the Redmond Historical Society, editor of the Redmond Recorder newsletter, a commissioner of Redmond's Landmarks and Heritage Commission, on the Design Review Board, and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.  He played a big part in the founding of the Redmond Library. 

Miguel was sworn into the Landmarks and Heritage Commission after Rep. Ross Hunter's Town Hall meeting.  The commission meets when an owner of one of the 16 properties listed as historic by the city wants to make a change. or when a property owner wants to have their property added to list.

Miguel was a strong advocate for preserving Old Town and its 2-block row of historic "Perrigo Plat" Craftsman bungalow houses on 164th Street.  The old Brown Bag Cafe bungalow on 164th was once owned by long-time Mayor Bill Brown (1913-1948) and did not meet the commission's historic criteria.  [Same for the E.A. Walcher House, a 112+ year Craftsman-style bungalow on 8117-166th Ave. NE, also once owned by Bill Brown.]

Miguel currently lives in Los Angeles with his family.  He's in town for the Redmond Historical Society's 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social where he will give a 30-minute slide show. The Redmond Historical Society President John Oftebro did a fabulous job emceeing and directing the event.  

Approximately 100 attended the event, including the first full-time Mayor Chris Himes and John Couch, Parks and Rec. Director of 30 years.  Couch dressed up as Mayor Brown. Hilarious!   

Bob Yoder

Updated 9/27/2024, Updated 10/20/2024

See a Video of city attorney Jim Haney swearing in Miguel to the Landmarks & Heritage Commission. 🙂 

UPDATED: Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration

John Oftebro, President of the Redmond Historical Society produced, directed, and emceed the Celebration.   

Redmond Senior & Community Center

Redmond Historical Society 

25th Anniversary Celebration & Social

 Redmond Senior & Community Center

8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052

Saturday, September 28th 

Open house 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM 

Program begins at 3:45 

Enjoy sweet treats, entertainment, and an opportunity to see friends — old and new! This event is free and open to all.

Walking with History: Elise Farrel-McWhirter

Breaking news!  The folksy Redmond Mayor of 30-years Bill Brown is introduced and chats with the audience!  He may be attending the Society's 25th Anniversary party at the Senior Center on Saturday, 28th 3-5:30.  Have a beverage with him afterwards at a local tavern! haha!

Saturday Speaker Series Walking with History: 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter (16:20 m) 

"Born an heiress in the Age of Industry, Elise Farrel-McWhirter led the life of one of the most intriguing socialites in New England in the early 20th century. Follow the incredible life journey of a woman who was independent and bold before it was in vogue. Before the Women’s Suffrage Movement, before Women’s right to vote, 

Elise Farrel-McWhirter lived a remarkable life on her own terms and traded the glamour of society for a small farming community in rural Washington—a community named Redmond that she chose to live in over all the other places she had traveled in North America, Asia, and Europe. 

We can walk with history today, because she donated her beloved home upon her death that became Farrel- McWhirter Park. Learn about one of Redmond’s early leading ladies, who loved children, horses, nature, and left us all a legacy that helped foster Redmond’s modern-day Parks Department."

Speaker bio: Ali Maynard is the Farm Program Coordinator at Farrel-McWhirter Park and has been employed with the City of Redmond since 2007.