Redmond, Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond, WA.
About the Event
Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound is an award-winning nonfiction account of the long story of the Sound, tracing human history from the earliest records more than 12,500 years ago to present. Williams also focuses on often overlooked species such as Olympia oysters, rockfish, geoduck, kelp, and herring, as well as salmon and orca. Witty, graceful, and deeply informed, Homewaters presents a fascinating and hopeful narrative, one that will introduce newcomers to the astonishing life that inhabits Puget Sound and offers longtime residents new insights into and appreciation of the waters they call home.
David B. Williams is an author, naturalist, and tour guide whose award-winning book, Homewaters: A Human and Natural History of Puget Sound is a deep exploration of the stories of this beautiful waterway. He is also the author of the award-winning book Too High and Too Steep: Reshaping Seattle’s Topography, as well as Seattle Walks: Discovering History and Nature in the City. Williams is a Curatorial Associate at the Burke Museum and writes a free weekly newsletter, the Street Smart Naturalist. His weekly newsletter focuses on human and natural history.
A HYBRID PROGRAM WITH MORE COMING!
John Oftebro, President RHS organized the program. Many thanks John!
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| Jerry Torell in front of the current sign 0f 3/15/2017. Yoder |
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| (l-r) Bud Young, Fred Habenicht, Kim Murrey, Jerry Torell Credit/ Sammamish Valley News |
The Justice White House pictured with a photo from the Redmond Historical Society's archives, showing Doctors Keiffer and Davis parked in front of the Hotel Redmond (c.1907), courtesy of Redmond Historical Society.
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| Michael Dylan Welch was a Redmond Poet In Residence |
-- Redmond Customer Service, 12/2/2022
Comment/ Bob Yoder:
Judging by the site map it appears all the outdoor art is installed in the Downtown park. Find descriptions of the art elsewhere on the site or probably by QR code.
The Luminary Walk first started under Mayor Rosemarie Ive's Administration decades ago. I'm assuming the Walk was cancelled owing to Senior and Community Center construction.
-- posted by B. Yoder
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| Arnie Tomac at Soul Food Coffee, 6/2022 / by |
In 1973, when we moved to Redmond, I noticed we did not have a neighborhood park so I started going to City Park Board meetings. In 1977, I, wife Mary and future mayor Chris Himes called over 500 residents asking for their support of a $2.5 million Park Bond. The bond measure passed and Viewpoint neighborhood park was built.
I also got involved with C.A.R.E. "Civic Action on Redmond Environment," which later led me into running for City Council. (C.A.R.E. was a coalition of residents with a goal of saving the golf course from development.) In 1977, Mayor Bud Young appointed me to Chair the City's first Development Guide.
In 1978, several land use issues brewed. One was an uproar over completing the construction of SR 520. The other was more serious. A developer purchased the Old Redmond Golf Course and announced they planned to develop the site. Concerned citizens, many of whom had never attended a Council meeting (moi) descended on City Hall asking the City to stop development.
I was elected President of Council in 1981. The population of Redmond was 23,000. The downtown was separated by an operating railway. It served the grain elevator in Redmond and the milk processing Dairygold facility in Issaquah. Everything north of City Hall was blueberry fields.
There were only two roads leading through Redmond that being Cleveland and Redmond Way. Basically, the downtown with minimal service. The rest of the Council and I wanted to create a downtown.
Just before I attended my first Council meeting, we got to review Mayor Young's budget. Every department was listed with number and dollars amount. (ie 87340 $12500.) So I knew I needed to create a readable budget. We had a surplus the end of the year so we created the Capital Improvement Plan. (C.I.P.) We also created a new Hearing Examiner position and a Technical Design Committee. (Tomac has degrees in engineering mathematics.)
In the 1982 election, another CARE candidate Pat Vache' was elected to the Council and Arnold Tomac was elected Council President.
Town Center Associates offered the city $6 million for the 89-acre golf course. There was a misunderstanding about a 4.62-acre parcel north of Leary Way. Town Center thought the sliver of land was theirs; Councilmembers Vache', President Tomac and the city lawyer felt otherwise and negotiated the final purchase option. It was approved 6-0 by Council.
"Councilmember Pat Vache' called me (Tomac) one day and asked if I would come to his office to talk about the golf course. "I said definitely!" I think the golf course is going to remain controversial until people have a chance to address a ballot issue on the purchase of the property." said Tomac. "Pat and I informed Winmar (the owners) if the bond did not pass we would support "reasonable development" of the property." The bond did not pass. "Pat and I stuck to our commitment to move forward with development of the property. Of course we received push-back from our supporters who wanted who wanted to keep the golf course open."
"Marchione, Vache' and Tomac all indicated they thought "reasonable development" included keeping some of the green space around the golf course as a condition of development should the voters elect not to buy the property. "I'd like to keep it (the links) as is," concluded Tomac. "But, are we willing to pay to keep it?"
The $6 million measure went out for vote; it lost by 2%. Master planning of the site came with 37 goals and policies, with 50% of the property to be preserved as open space.
Tomac's recommendation for enhancing RTC: "I believe we are lacking vibrant centers in the evenings. The nighttime activity at Redmond Overlake and downtown is negligible. It turns out 70% of business income comes from the evening sales. To have vibrant Urban Centers, policies and zoning regulations must be in place that supports businesses being successful."
-- Reported by Bob Yoder, 11/25/2022
Sources: Soul Food Coffee house interviews, 2022. Arnie's notes & family keepsakes. Excerpts from the Sammamish Valley News. Circa 82-83. Redmond Kiwanis Club.
We cancelled our outdoor pickleball game at Perrigo Park on Friday. Tuesday we'll be safely tucked away at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse. The ash continues to fall on our windshield. 10/15/2022
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A high ridge of pressure and offshore flow will bring a highly unusual round of mid-October heat and more wildfire smoke to Western Washington over the weekend. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) |
The latest forecasts show a good chance that this weekend will be another one for the record books. If temperatures in Seattle reach their projected high Sunday, the Emerald City will break through 80 degrees later in the year than ever before and hit the threshold twice in October for the first time. Saturday will get close, too, and more daily records look likely to fall.
Seattle already broke its October record for most 75-degree days, logging its sixth Thursday, more than any other year since records began in the 1890s. According to the National Weather Service, the last 100 days have seen 77 with above-normal temperatures, including 25 straight through Wednesday. With just 0.4 inches of rain since July 5, it has also been the second-driest 100-day stretch ever recorded in Seattle.
-- PATCH article by Lucas Combos 10/14/2022, excerpted by Bob Yoder 10/15/2022
Two students to share student voice in Board conversations
Redmond, Wash. - Starting this year, the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors will include two student representatives. Student representatives were selected through an application and interview process.
Evan Kurtz (Juanita High School, Class of 2023) will serve as the student representative for the west side of the school district for this school year. A new student representative from the west side of the district will be selected for a two-year term starting in 2023-24. Evan was first introduced at the August 22 School Board meeting.
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Shivani Sama (Tesla STEM High School, Class of 2024) will serve as a student representative for the east side of the school district. She will serve in this role for the next two school years. Shivani was first introduced at the September 12 School Board meeting.
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The goal of adding student representatives to the board is to add the perspective and experiences of students as the Board considers various topics.
Evan was selected to serve for the 2022-23 school year while Shivani will serve through the 2023-24 school year. Annually, the Board will select an incoming junior for a two-year term.
9/15/2022
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About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the second largest district in the state of Washington, with over 30,000 students in 57 schools.
Redmond's Poet Laureate, Laura Da' created this lyrical nature walk through the downtown natural, cultural and historical places of Redmond. QR Code will open the map guiding you through five special places.
Laura Da' is a poet and teacher. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da' studied creative writing at the University of Washington and this Institute of American Indian Arts. She is Eastern Shawnee. Da' lives near Seattle with her husband and son.
To take the tour, on your phone, click on the small Google square next to the microphone symbol, hover over the QR code and click on it as if taking a picture.
It seems like only yesterday this earthquake shook the homes and schools on Education Hill. My wife, Pam was in the clothes closet when it happened. I was out of town on business. Pam was on the "Earthquake Emergency Committee" at Horace Mann where my daughter attended. By the time she got to Mann the Principal had already moved the children out of the building; the Principal panicked so the gym teacher took over. The school's "emergency metal container" was opened but unused. Tents, triage materials, food etc. Pam and two other mom's phoned as many parents as they could. Pam guesses "the ground shook maybe 30 seconds." She said only a couple of students were panicky.
Our tri-level is next to the Bike Park. Apparently, the chandelier swung mildly. A weight-bearing beam in our 2-story rental on Ed. Hill cracked, shifted and had to be replaced.
Stephan A. Siebert, P.E. with Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. in Kirkland is an Associate Geotechnical Engineer. Mr. Siebert wrote in "Rosehill Cottages" Redmond project report:
Earthquakes occur in Puget Lowland with great regularity. Large, deep earthquakes occur as evidenced by the 1949, 7.2-magnitude event; the 1966, 6.5-magnitude event; and the 2001, *6.8-magnitude event. The deep 1949 earthquake appears to have been the largest in this area (Redmond) during recorded history. Evaluation of return rates indicates that an earthquake of a magnitude between 6.0 and 7.0 is likely every 25 to 40 years in the Puget Sound area.
Is it time the school district updates their earthquake preparedness safety manual?
Is it time the City of Redmond updates their earthquake preparedness safety manual?
-- Bob Yoder, 9/9/2022, opinion
Downtown Redmond sits on a three-six foot deep aquifer in places! video
San Francisco earthquake liquefication event video. Redmond's downtown aquifer has similar characteristics.
Seattle fault zone / 3 earthquake types in the Pacific Northwest. video
File: LWSD, COR
It’s official! Redmond Mayor Angela Birney and RHS President John Oftebro cut the ribbon at the Society’s Grand Opening on June 27, 2022 (pictured above). OneRedmond organized the event. See page 3.
L-R: Council Members Melissa Stuart and Vanessa Kritzer, RHS Administration & Collections Manager Halee Turner, Mayor Angela Birney, RHS President John Oftebro, Senior VP Laura Lee Bennett, and Collections Committee Member Joe Townsend. In back: VP Collections Mary Horabik and Collections Committee Member Dean Jowers.
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| The Village is surrounded by nature. Restored Bear Creek runs through the Village. Homes on right / credit: Yoder (click to enlarge) |
I was kibitzing with long-time resident John Oftebro at the Derby Days Historical Society booth. I found myself at a loss when the subject of the "Friendly Village" came up.
Fast forward: Last week, on a sweltering day Pam, I and Zoey took a ride to the Friendly Village. Driving east on NE 95th Street (also known as Conrad Olsen Road on Google maps,) the Friendly Village, 55-plus mobile home park, immediately came into view. The Village opened in 1971.
I was surprised by the beautiful landscaping, an old growth tree, and the attractive, well-maintained homes. The varied amenities include a common hall, fenced dog park, new pool, and salmon-bearing Bear Creek running through the 40-acre parcel.
In the common hall, I bumped into Mary, a kind lady and long-time resident of the park. She was selecting gleaned groceries from the food service area.
I really enjoyed my conversation with Mary. She pointed towards the creek saying the land was first a "wash" and later a turkey farm. She is happy her home is creekside. Mary said Ms. McRedmond, a descendent of the McRedmond founders used to live in the Village. She now lives a bit east on Conrad Olsen Road. Mary suggested I knock on her door. It's possible, Ms. McRedmond may still be going to the Redmond Cafe once a week.
The Village, including 224 pads, was purchased by the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) in 2017. The Housing Authority apparently charges $850/month per pad. Some utilities are covered. The county also gets credits for housing seniors. Mary said the Village is a "cash cow" for the county.
Village living is affordable, attractive, and green. Home prices are roughly $90k - $375k (RMAX)
-- Bob Yoder, 7/31/2022
EXTRA! FOR SALMON WATCHERS: The City of Redmond's NE 95th Street Bridge Bear Creek Enhancement Site (excellent map.) The Bridge is a great place for viewing salmon (Sept.-Nov.)
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| yours truly |
One Public Record Request shockingly revealed an executive/pediatrician's salary of $600,000 and other misfeasance (1988.) It's unknown how long the commissioners paid him to participate in hospital governance. CEO Brown, a likeable fellow abruptly resigned, saying goodbye to all employees by email and flew off to Pennsylvania.
With that, the commissioners then hired Bob Malte from Colorado Springs as CEO. Bob is genuine and a real pro. Mr. Malte reshuffled personnel and re-branded Evergreen to "EvergreenHealth." The hospital began winning regional and national awards under Malte's helm.
It's well known, one in five Americans have a mental health condition in a given year; and only half are treated. Under the Malte Administration, EvergreenHealth developed a new mental health service (I think required by law.) but the bursting EvergreenHealth community still doesn't have an out-patient psychiatric clinic, employ a full-time psychiatrist or provide an behavioral health urgent care. |
| Pat Vache' in his early days / courtesy of Arnie Tomac |
In 2022, Pat Vache', a "Founding Father" of Town Center gave testimony encouraging Council include the founders in the development process citing their previous experience (and collective wisdom.) He emphasized the need of engagement opportunities, especially town hall meetings.
Mr. Vache' stated “Throughout the history of Redmond Town Center two issues were foremost, 1) protecting open space and 2) creating a major retail facility for all to enjoy. If history taught us nothing else, it is clear that three elements were important then and are critical today:
1) Redmond residents want and deserve the opportunity to engage,
2) A robust retail environment is a necessity for Redmond residents and the economic sustainability of the City of Redmond, and
3) Redmond residents demand a sustainable environment, an environment characterized by trees, lots of trees and open space, lots of open space," in fact a minimum of 43 acres."
THE EARLY HISTORY - a quick story
Town Center’s modern history began in late 1978 when the Old Redmond Golf Course (in King County) was purchased by Winmar, a Safeco company. A total of 120 pristine acres were purchased, including the 87-acre golf course. Forty-four acres would remain open space. (C. Beason played a large role in that.) The acreage was invaluable to the community. Open space is a very big part of Redmond culture.
Winmar proposed development of the 87 acre golf course twice, once in 1979 for $4 million (per Town Center Associates) and again in **1982 for $6 million ($16.5 million in today's dollars.) Though open space was desirable, The Sammamish Valley News, businessmen and many residents wanted shopping and commercial development.
To counter development, in 1978 a coalition of preservationists, “Civic Action for Redmond Environment” (C.A.R.E.) formed to retain the golf course and influence public opinion. One of the C.A.R.E. Presidents Richard Grubb, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Chris Himes, the Beasons and other citizen activists organized the coalition. Grubb, Vache' and Tomac became councilmembers. Himes became Redmond's first full time Mayor. Nothing ever came of the 1979, $4 million Town Center Associates offer, probably because of C.A.R.E.
Pat Vache', Redmond's first planning commissioner and a councilmember of 16 years, says "in over eight years the public, planning staff, and Policy Advisory Commission had a series of public meetings, visioning exercises and just about any type of public process imaginable. Town Center didn't just happen. It has history."
"Old Redmond" vs. "New Redmond" issues were reaching a boiling point. So, in 1982 Council, led by Council President Arnie Tomac and councilmember Pat Vache', proposed a $6 million bond measure to “let the voters decide" if they wanted to purchase the land for preservation or take Winmar’s offer and develop it. According to Rosemarie Ives, the 60% supermajority bond failed by 2%.
Mayor Doreen Marchione is quoted in the Sammamish Valley News, “we have no choice but to annex the property for reasonable development.” Former Mayor Rosemarie Ives felt the city should have immediately gone out for a second vote.
With that, Vache' notes by 1986, (Ord. 1328) 120 acres were annexed from King County, pre-annexation zoning was completed, the ***Master Plan was approved, and the property was incorporated into the City of Redmond. *Seven years following the City’s 1988 approval (Ord. 1416) Winmar didn’t develop anything with Town Center, though there still was much debate and talk. In 1994, Winmar proposed an outdoor mall of 1.3M square feet of shopping and offices. The proposal was approved by Council in 1995 (Ord. 1841.) Construction started in 1996.
-- written by Bob Yoder, 7/15/2022
Sources: Sammamish Valley News, Pat Vache, Arnie Tomac, Nancy McCormick, Rosemarie Ives, Holly Plackett, 4/8/2022 Fairbourne Properties Letter to Redmond City Council, Seattle Times, 8/10/1997.
Arnold Tomac's Leadership and Involvement with Redmond Town Center. Arnie is a good friend of Pat Vache'.
* Quick stories: Though, not directly related to Town Center, past councilmember and planning commissioner Holly Plackett wrote Winmar's seven "idle" years were spent developing Target, Mervyns, and Bella Bottega cinema.
This story is so interesting! As editor of the Sammamish Valley News at that time, I was deeply involved in studying the options for this property. Redmond was sorely in need of a better commercial zone….the town was growing and there really was a great need. Although Town Center perhaps failed to fulfill that dream entirely, there is still hope. The city has grown…the possibilities are still endless! I hope Redmond marches ahead, brings itself completely into this century to keep up with the vast population growth!
--Deb Akerstrom, 7/2022. Deb is presently a Director on the Redmond Historical Society Society. 12/2022
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** The MASTER PLAN was approved in 1986: "The design and development of this zone is controlled by a Master Plan established to ensure that development here integrates with and positively influences future development of the Greater downtown area and retains traditional building styles, street patterns, variety of uses, and public amenities." (Ord. 1328.)
The MASTER PLAN was scrapped in 2022. New language: "Design and development of this zone is controlled by zone-based regulations and additional special design standards for development projects located within the downtown urban core."
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| click to enlarge |
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| Rosemarie Ives |
Rosemarie Ives, former mayor 1992-2007
I am speaking again against the Sammamish Juanita Transmission Line. Though much information was provided, I have one question: why did City staff support Puget Sound Energy’s business interests over the environmental interests of the people of Redmond AND the Puget Sound region who have committed to preserve the Sammamish Valley farmlands and open spaces for decades?
After becoming mayor in 1992, the Comprehensive Plan identified the east-west Transmission line at NE 95th Street as the northern boundary for manufacturing and industrial uses and with everything north remaining rural. The owners of the land north of that transmission line approached the City with a proposal for a golf course that is Willows Run today. After extensive negotiations, the City agreed to zone the property “urban recreation” with the understanding that this land would remain “open space,” with the owners required to uphold a long list of environmental regulations and responsibilities, and that in perpetuity, the golf course would remain open to the public. I believed strongly that zoning for a golf course was the best way to preserve the historically rural Valley, protecting it from any kind of business, manufacturing or industrial intrusion.
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| Varisha Kahn |
Varisha Khan is a first-time city council member in Redmond. She drafted, proposed and passed recent legislation that protects Redmond residents from late fees and evictions, and offers support during other hardships. She recognizes this pandemic as a collective trauma for society and the only way she feels she can cope is by doing what she knows: helping her community through writing humane policy that mends a frayed social safety net."
-- Dorothy Edwards, June 22, 2020, Crosscut.
In addition to remote attendance Varisha presided over the Public Safety Committee for several months and coordinated the new Safety and Sustainability work plan. Other than that, her in-person attendance was rare until last night.
Since not everyone participates when attending remotely, the Mayor started a roll call policy for accountability.
Councilmember Kahn's constituents are diverse and her representation is critical. Ms. Kahn is the youngest councilmember in the history of this City. She's a woman in her mid-twenties (the average age in Redmond is 34.5 yrs.) She's a Muslim. And, she's a native, having graduated from Horace Mann Elementary.
The six councilmembers have worked hard to carry her load. Varisha is pretty confident. She is articulate, likes to talk, and eventually makes her point heard.
-- Bob Yoder, 6/22/2022
Woodinville is designing some attractive buildings and open places for pedestrians and bicycles. These buildings are next to City Hall.
Opinion: A few, but not many, architectural designs of downtown Redmond buildings are "inspired by history." Unlike Woodinville, our City doesn't have an overarching design theme. Redmond's use of history for design is sporadic and unsupported by code. As a result, buildings don't always use the most appropriate materials and aren't visually connected. Wood, stone veneer and building art are uncommon. (Green scaping is more prevalent and welcome!) The proposed RTC and Nelson Villages' are remaining places where an overarching design theme can be implemented.
Designs of the following projects were "inspired" by Redmond's past:
"The Osprey" The applicant has a solid start in the design concept acknowledging the history of the region’s indigenous populations with its strong roof forms, reminiscent of the Haida house across the street in Dudley Carter Park, the City’s early timber industry with its choice of wood and stone material, and the City’s future as a modern technology hub with the building’s irregular shape and significant glazing." (DRB)
"18th & 164th" project: "The architectural design was inspired by the Cascades and the Nokomis Library of the early 1900's. How the book stacks were organized and how books can be arranged on the shelf was inspirational to the Applicant in designing elevations." (DRB)
Will Redmond have an overarching design theme to build character into Town Center? Is the theme underpinned with choices of required elements? Below, find Woodinville's approach to design code describing their theme and underpinning elements.
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Exhibition on Display March 1st - 31st at VALA Art Center, 8020 161st Ave NE, #104, Redmond
