Thursday, March 14, 2024
Founder of Xplore, Brands Redmond "Space District"
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Mayor Birney Visits a Cool, New Plant Store
Monday, December 4, 2023
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Rumble in Redmond Robot Competition
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
UPDATED: Mayor Angela Birney's Story / Pedestrian Safety / RCTV
Monday, January 9, 2023
UPDATED: Mayor Angela Birney's 2022 Year-In-Review
Mayor Birney / credit Hopelink |
Hello Residents,
Different cultures celebrate the start of a new year in very distinct ways. For most, it's a time to rejoice, pause, and reflect on the past and future. A sense of normalcy returned in 2022 and provided an opportunity to build upon the lessons learned over the past few years. We have so much to be thankful for in Redmond, and I'd like to share some of the City’s accomplishments this past year:
Environmental Sustainability: In the area of environmental sustainability, we worked with the community to preserve and enhance our natural environment. And now it’s easier than ever to see that progress through our new Environmental Sustainability Data Dashboard. We completed a Climate Vulnerability Assessment to advise our long-range environmental planning efforts. And we partnered on programs and challenges to bring resources to you, such as the Redmond Climate Action Challenge and Energy Smart Eastside. Together, we planted trees, shrubs, and ground cover to expand and enrich Redmond's natural environment.
Connected Community: Creating connections and opportunities in our community continues to be an ongoing priority. Thousands enjoyed the return of Derby Days and the new elements to Redmond Lights. The City awarded lodging tax funds to over 22 Redmond events, and the Parks and Recreation Department returned to full in-person programming last year. We broke ground and are making tremendous progress on the new Redmond Senior & Community Center, which will soon offer arts, events, and recreational options for residents of all ages.
Infrastructure: City staff continued to work with and support Sound Transit’s light rail project in Redmond, bringing dependable access and connection to the region. And we continued to invest in our infrastructure by completing current projects and being awarded nearly $4.5 million in grant funds to leverage other transportation projects.
Saturday, December 10, 2022
"Redmond Lights" Redux
Pam and Zo at popular art installation (click pic to find Zo) |
It was a blustery, cold and very rainy night but we went Redmond Lights anyway. A friend was working a booth and asked me to come. Pam and Zo tagged along too but they were not a happy puppies.
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
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Indian Kokanee Salmon Event October 12th
I wanted to send a quick reminder about the Release the Kokanee event coming up next week, October 12th at 5:00 pm at the Lake Sammamish Boat Launch. We are excited to celebrate the work of this group, connect, and ceremonially release some of the kokanee we are working so hard to save. We hope you will join us at this KWG sponsored event.
Sharing: Please share the event with your staff, partners, supporters and friends! Feel free to use the attached flyer or share a post from the Lake Sammamish UWRP social media (Facebook, Instagram) or the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Lands Movement (Facebook, Instagram). Event info web address: www.bit.ly/KokaneeRelease.
Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Best,
Alix
Alix Lee-Tigner (she/her)
Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership Coordinator
(406) 868-1902
Trout Unlimited is "a rapidly growing community struggling to save its native Little Red Fish."
-- Posted with edits by Redmond resident and Trout Unlimited member Gary Smith.
Sunday, May 29, 2022
Detention Tanks Safeguard Sammamish River, WLWB Exit Dangerous
In this image, notice the beginning of the West Lake Sammamish Blvd. exit off of SR-520. Do you see the beginnings of light rail construction on the right? The train will run right over the exit ramp.
This exit was one of the most dangerous for me in Redmond for a while, especially at night. The "fake" stop light, further down the sharp ramp was very misleading. Did this exit frighten you too? Finally, it's fixed.
The video shows two points of interest.
1) As you drive east on SR-520, notice how close the rail is to the highway.
2) Orange stormwater detention tanks are densely massed together for a good reason; the Sammamish River is immediately below the filthy construction site. Detention tanks "filter" contaminated sediment from construction runoff.
Sound transit is a steward of our environment.
--Bob Yoder, opinion/ Video Yoder, 5/29/2022
Monday, March 14, 2022
Redmond Fire Tells Their Story
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
"Bird's Eye View" -A Poem by Redmond's Poet Laureate
The City of Redmond is proud to announce the 2022 Poet Laureate, Laura Da'.
Our new Poet Laureate, a poet and a public-school teacher, Da’ studied creative writing at the University of Washington and the Institute of American Indian Arts. A lifetime resident of the Pacific Northwest, Da’ is the recipient of fellowships from the Native Arts and Culture Foundation, Richard Hugo House, and the Jack Straw Writers Program. She is the author of Tributaries, winner of the American Book Award, and Instruments of the True Measure, winner of the Washington State Book Award. Da’ is Eastern Shawnee. She lives near Renton with her husband and son.
If you're a bird watcher you'll truly love Da's work of art. If you're not a watcher, close your eyes, listen, and feel their special presence. Your journey is just beginning! -- B. Yoder, 2/8/2022
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Monday, January 10, 2022
Bear Creek Floods Behind Safeway Closing The Trail
(click to enlarge) |
(click to enlarge) |
Sunday, December 19, 2021
UPDATED, 12/21: Art Is Back In Redmond!
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Monday, November 8, 2021
City Prepares For Winter Conditions
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Leah Choi Thanks Councilmembers Jeralee Anderson and Steve Fields For Their Support In The School Board Race (video clip)
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Environmentally Sensitive Light Rail Construction Underway
Construction of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension will impact a swath of trees and riparian habitat along Bear Creek in the vicinity of the Overlake Urgent Care Center west to Creekside Crossing and Redmond Center Open Space. Clearing and grading permits are required to remove 144 trees to accommodate the rail, Bear Creek "restoration," and construction access. Most of the trees will be planted off site because they won't survive in the wetland areas. For each significant tree removed, 6 saplings will be planted; for each landmark tree removed 18 saplings will be planted. A section of Bear Creek will have to be dredged to create a "back channel" for flood control and wetland habitat. Back channels are also valuable for salmon rearing.
Overall, approximately 500 linear feet of Bear Creek will be "restored or enhanced" when all is said and done. The Design Builder is encouraged to reuse previously removed trees for onsite habitat features. In addition, Sound Transit plans to purchase off-site wetland mitigation credits at the Keller Farm site further upstream along Bear Creek for any restoration that cannot be accommodated on-site.
All the work near Bear Creek described above is subject to review as part of the City’s shoreline and clearing and grading permits, the Army Corps and the tribes. Construction is over 3 years out.
-- City Council Study Session, 5/28
Meeting memo (map)
* In 2020 I took a tour of the site with City staff. They said the light rail will run five feet over Bear Creek. B.Y.
Saturday, July 31, 2021
OPINION: Lamenting "Redmond Square"
Sign still up during demolition, photo Yoder 8/15/2021 |
Below, is an old comment from a reader in response to a (2/2019) video of "Redmond Square mall" prior to demolition.
"I've heard some say "they're trying to turn Redmond into Bellevue." That wouldn't be much of a problem if we had all the space of Bellevue. (I think Bellevue is a lovely city--it's classy, clean, safe and I haven't noticed the aggressiveness of beggars there like in Redmond.) But trying to squeeze so many high rises into our little town on a bog is an eye sore. We're basically leveling our town and cramming everything in. When brand new, some high rises may look tidy and clean, but most of them look drab. Honestly, they remind me of Cabrini-Green projects in Chicago. :( As they age and get dirty/moldy they'll become an eyesore to many (to me they already are). And they obstruct Redmond's natural beauty and cast big shadows on an otherwise coveted sunny day. Perhaps this could alter downtown Redmond's microclimate as well. It all makes me sad."
--- Anonymous, 2/23/2019
Redmond's Design Review Board video (above) shows a wide pedestrian plaza, the narrow street, landscaping and significant use of brick. Below are additional details. Some parking will be available but I'm afraid not much. Light rail, bikes, walking, scooters, and remote are the ticket.