The Ukrainian carolers at Redmond Town Center |
Underneath the RTC Christmas Tree Merry Christmas from Bob, Pam and Zoey Yoder! |
The Ukrainian carolers at Redmond Town Center |
Underneath the RTC Christmas Tree Merry Christmas from Bob, Pam and Zoey Yoder! |
- Bob & Pam
Here we are with our Sports Participation Awards -- We were ALL winners!
"Winging" and "Kite boarding" on the Columbia River, image Yoder |
The fun and relaxing times of Hood River, Oregon, on the Columbia River, are less than 4 hours from Redmond. Our visit last week was a needed escape from Redmond's frenetic downtown. Constant winds on the Columbia River gorge make for excellent water sports. Hood River is the "kite board capital of the Nation." Chinook fishing is popular this time of year. Many a State Park for hiking. The 30-mile farmstead "fruit loop" has inviting fruit stands and wineries. We love the pears. The downtown "hood" is populated with breweries, cafes' and outdoor eateries! It's historic buildings generate interest. Hood River is a perfect getaway!
-- Bob and Pam Yoder 9/13/2023
3 rows of carrots have sprouted! |
Redmond Middle School Tennis Courts |
You may have noticed? The Redmond Middle School's six tennis courts are being resurfaced (with an acrylic coating.) Though unconfirmed, the workers said all six tennis courts will also be lined for pickleball. Completion is expected by 7/31/2023.
Only 42-inch high standard tennis court nets will be installed. 30-inch pickleball nets will not be available. I've played on both net sizes and find them equally fun.
-- Bob Yoder, photo, 7/14/2023
Imagining a new town center |
A partial summary of the proposed amendments appear as follows:
1) Increase maximum height to 12-stories through an incentive program of 3 extra levels for above grade parking per building, electric bike space and decent pedestrian lighting.
2) One amendment involves the owner offering "exceptional amenities" for additional height. I crave colorful, covered plazas and courtyards, eclectic and cultural artworks, sustainable-public-rooftop-patios-with-pristine-views, public spaces for daycare and pets, and above all else, well lit performing arts spaces welcoming and entertaining all, including commercial and retail employees. Pickleball is a craze and rooftop courts to activate the Center are being looked at.
3) It's my understanding, the final amendment, if passed, could expand "Town Center Mixed Use" into certain parcels along Bear Creek Parkway; serviced by an office gateway. The expansion plan is unclear; and it may never happen.
-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 1/30/2023, Updated 2/22/23, Resident of Redmond, WA.
SOURCES:
Council "Planning and Public Works" Committee of the Whole memo, 1/3/2023, excerpted and edited. Unfortunately, the city red-lined this memo.
City Council memo, 1/17/2023 - discusses privately initiated text amendments.
FAIRBOURNE Properties (owner)
Hines, RTC owner's consultant and outreach arm. (Patrick Woodruff is the Hines lead; he's local and enthusiastically seeking ALL opinions and feedback.)
Engage with the community and the owner HERE)
Carol Helland, Director of Planning and Community Development. (Ask for Ms. Helland's contact information at info@redmond.gov or Mayor@redmond.gov)
Arnold Tomac, Past President Redmond City Council, a Town Center founder, and co-founder of the Ped/Bike Advisory Committee. Arnie's BIO.
-- Bob Yoder, 2/23/23
Pam and Zo at popular art installation (click pic to find Zo) |
There wasn't much new: Same five light installations. Relatively scant residents, and fun music on the pavillion. Unfortunately, food trucks don't have much room for parking at the downtown park. We did see an espresso wagon and ice-cream van. Sounds silly, but the colorful restroom lights fit in well with the show.
-- Bob Yoder, 12/10/2022, opinion
click to enlarge |
"Indigenous Peoples' Day" was celebrated at Lake Washington High School on October 1st.
LWSD filmed an excellent video of the event HERE.
Mary Wilber, Program Coordinator of the Eastside Native American Indian Association organizes the events. Ms Wilber invites indigenous students from three districts to her Monday evening classes.
A Proclamation On Indigenous Peoples' Day, by Joseph R. Biden, October 7th, 2022 (excerpt)
For centuries, 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.
The Heron rookery, minus birds and trees |
My wife and puppy are in the middle-third of this large unforested portion of the Heron Rookery. There's a lot of dirt behind me that you can't see. Unfortunately, the trees that once stood there are gone. No one seems to know why the trees died off. A quandary, since there are no stumps.
A must see short video on the history of the herons and rookery forest is HERE.
The 4.6 acre open space site is located on the southwest corner of Bear Creek Parkway and Leary Way in Redmond, Washington. It stands at the entrance to Downtown Redmond and features what's left of an urban forest and a trail that runs through the middle. The city lists it as a park with use for hiking.
The infamous Workshop Tavern, long torn down abutted the rookery. It was an historic establishment serving Redmond's first hamburgers and beer.
This map is the starting point, before participants shuffled Legos according to their perspective of 2050. The white Lego stacks represent existing jobs. Five urban centers including residential neighborhoods were mapped: Overlake, Downtown, Marymoor, SE Redmond, and "NE 90th & Willows" local center. Overlake is slated to accommodate half the jobs in the city. Can you find the "NE 90th & Willows" local center?
The Redmond 2050 "Draft Environment Impact Statement" (DEIS) is much more than visioning the Redmond environment. It's a living story about "how we can accommodate anticipated growth."
I enjoy visioning in general, but was confused by the "DEIS" acronym and so brushed Redmond 2050 aside until Pam and I attended a "Visioning Lego Tabeling Workshop." I was hooked. It was super fun, productive and exceptionally engaging (one if the city's favorite words.) The workshop was organized and managed by thc city's Long Range Planning Manager, Jeff Churchill (Jeff is a Redmond High graduate, with lots of equity.)
Mr. Churchill described the participants' Lego conclusions at a Council Study session, saying the Lego community chose "SE Redmond" for the most job and housing growth as compared to Marymoor, the downtown, residential neighborhoods, and Willows. However, Churchill noted SE Redmond and Marymoor had infrastructure challenges.
Councilmember David Carson was "utterly baffled and confused by the first two slides" of the Lego workshop. Said Carson, "if someone could actually explain it to me...." and "what do I take away from that." Mr. Carson, a 13-year councilmember, probably knows the Development community better than any representative. A Council conservative, David is connected to "One Redmond"...Redmond's Chamber of Commerce "on steroids."
Council's focal points for growth were "Centers" and "Centers & Corridors" Mr. Carson preferred the "Center and Corridor" option. "Centers & Corridors" is defined as:
Pam relaxing on our way to the Center after dinner at BJ's / credit Bob Yoder / click to enlarge |
I've become more aware of Redmond Town Center (RTC) since word got out the new owner, President David Harvey of Fairbourne Properties, LLC is planning a "re-make." In fact, if you can believe it, RTC was built in 1997 and is a quarter century old. The structure is sound and architecture modern but it's 2022, and light rail is coming, along with thousands of jobs.
According to a Mr. Harvey's letter to Council, "Fairbourne will make much-needed capital investments including streetscapes, entry points, and the center-facing downtown, the new Light Rail station, landscaping and pedestrian access and building facades." Before & after renderings of the entry points show off exciting, creative improvements.
Harvey says his intent is not to "tear it down and start over." This may be the case for the most part, but once the parking lots (either side of my wife) are dozed this attractive walkway could go with it.
It's rumored 12+-story building(s) with lots of commercial and some residential may be sited on these old parking lots. One or two levels of public parking is a possibility. A "SR 520 gateway" at Bear Creek Parkway could improve vehicular circulation.
The good news? According to Mr. Harvey, "20% of new units would be priced at more affordable rents using the city's inclusionary and Multifamily Tax Exemption programs." Fairbourne can do better.
Harvey sees an opportunity to "elevate Town Center above the Bellevue Square of the Eastside." He wants to "keep it as a homebase for local restaurants and shops as well as unique national tenants." His goal is to double restaurant space. Retail space? Unknown. Could there be indoor shopping and recreational space?
The Arts Festival was a fun stroll, meeting friends along the way. It will be open again tomorrow, along with Derby Days. Cheers!
-- Bob Yoder, 7/8/2022
Source: Letter to Redmond City Council Members, Co-Signed by David Harvey, President Fairbourne Properties and Patrick Woodruff, Managing Director, Pacific NW Hines Interests. April 8, 2022
Rosemary Ives / soundaction.org |
Four years ago, former Redmond Mayor Rosemarie Ives (1992-2007) funded a new scholarship to support a Redmond High School graduate furthering her/his education.
The city is updating their tree regulations soon. City council is reviewing the tree permit and considering community donations to a "Tree Fund" for tree planting events.
Pam on Landmark tree stump in our front yard. |
My double-trunked fir on the left was removed after getting a permit from the city. |