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Outdoor butterfly art is resting on the Downtown Park. Porch + Park apartment construction is in the background. I saw this art while participating in Janet Richards' council campaign.
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
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Sign still up during demolition, photo Yoder 8/15/2021 |
"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
The Redmond Pools was previously closed for a two-phase improvement project. Construction was completed at the end of April 2021, and the pool is open. The City's Operational partner, Wave Aquatics, has information on programs and activities. To plan your visit, please go to www.waveaquatics.org. Again, the pool is open. I saw few swimmers there today, Saturday. Go for it! It's an awesome renovation. The City did a great job!
-- Bob Yoder & redmond.gov, 7/31/2021
Photo, Yoder
Click this link for the artist's website. His background is amazing.
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The two images on the left @ Overlake Village Station Three images on the right @ Redmond Technology Station |
-- redmond.gov
This commissioned art is paid by the City of Redmond. You are looking at five different images.
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City Hall chambers / (r-l) Stuart, city clerk, Mayor Birney, Padhye, Carson, Anderson, Helland, Beverley - photo Yoder) |
I must say this meeting was vibrant despite the lack of physical presence. Two very interesting land use projects were studied, guided by Planning Director Carol Helland. She is amazing; her work is brilliant. Council member David Carson led the discussion and appeared the decision-maker in the Pier 67 session. Council member Jeralee Anderson (center) was thrilled the Marymoor development would be LEED certified....one of her requests. President Tanika Padhye discouraged "pocket zoning."
The lady in the audience (of 2) dressed in pink is Melissa Stuart. She was the only one wearing a mask. Ms. Stuart is running for Council Seat No. 4. I learned she would be the only council member living in Overlake. This is key!
-- Bob Yoder, 7/28/2021
(Tip: Go to the city Facebook page for live viewing and commenting.) 👀
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The solicitation is taped to a pole on the SE corner of 166th Ave NE & Redmond Way. He/she posted his Paypal account askiing for $100.00 donations for socks and shoes. Hmm. Wool socks are available at most churches and some nonprofits. Email info@redmond.gov for assistence.
Photo/ Bob Yoder
Redmond Finance Director Chip Corder |
Total revenues are ahead of target by approximately 35%, or $16.5 million.
· Sales tax exceeds target by approximately 77%, or $9.1 million. One-time sales tax on construction continues to be the revenue driver at $7.6 million for the year, with $1.3 million received in June.
· Utility taxes are below target by approximately 1.9%, or $113,000. This is an improvement over prior months due to a large payment received for unpaid electric utility taxes.
· Intergovernmental revenue is ahead of target by approximately 73%, or $5.1 million, mostly due to the receipt of the 2021 American Rescue Act Plan allocation.
· License & permit revenues exceed target by 34%, or $2.3 million. · Total expenditures are below target by approximately 8.50%, or $4.3 million.
-- redmond.gov
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A Redmond warehouse (Internet) Click the FLEX hyperlink for a video of the project. |
The FLEX warehouse/office site is located in a unique location in that a residential development is under construction to the east, SE Redmond Park is located to the south along with single-family residential. It's 1.5 miles from the light rail. West of the site are light industrial uses, and to the north are industrial uses on the Cadman site. 188th Ave. NE & NE 68th St.
The project proposes one two-story with 140,000 sf of office and industrial/warehouse space. A surface parking lot is proposed with 270 parking spaces with associated parking lot landscaping. With SE Redmond Park located to the south of the project site, a pedestrian connection is proposed, along with two pedestrian plazas and space for food trucks. The project is in a unique location and will be highly visible as it is surrounded by three streets to the north, east and west, and is also adjacent to SE Redmond Park.
The project is very well landscaped (Yoder.) It includes landscaped areas along the perimeter of the site to provide visual screening. The landscape screening includes multiple layers of plantings comprised of low plantings, 75% landscape screening, and solid landscape screening. The surface parking lot and its landscaping also provide a visual buffer from the residential homes soon to be located to the east.
-- Design Review Board, 7/26/2021. This project is still under review by the Design Review Board. You may make comment.
Have you heard about the SE Redmond Park? SE Redmond Park
The Washington State Legislature recently passed several bills that impact law enforcement procedures, tactics, and operations across the state. As the Redmond Police Department incorporates these changes, I’d like to share a summary with the community.
Effective July 25, 2021
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Double click to enlarge (see the pandemic-related sign?) Photo by Pam Yoder |
The McDonald's remodel proposes to enhance the overall appearance of the building with an upgrade to the exterior building materials and change to the roofline. Overall, the intention of the building design is a more contemporary appearance closer in character to the new nearby contemporary construction. All existing trees on-site are to be retained and existing landscaping protected where possible. The proposed modification to the drive-thru lane (2 lanes) includes new landscaping, which provides more parking lot landscaping and more screening of the drive-thru from the parking lot."
For details go to this link.
Design Review Board, 7/22/2021
"Porch + Park" - double click to enlarge/Photo Yoder |
The Rockin' on the River free summer concerts return on Friday, August 6, and Saturday, August 7. Concerts begin at 6 p.m. on the great lawn next to Redmond City Hall. We invite you to bring low beach chairs, blankets, and picnic dinners to enjoy during the show. Kiwanis Club will provide ice cream, chips and drinks.
Friday, August 6 - Petty Thief
Saturday, August 7 - Cherry, Cherry with Mainstreet - Bob Seger Tribute opening
Free parking is available at:
8711 160th Ave NE
Redmond, WA 98052
Redmond Kiwanis Club will be selling ice cream bars, chips, and soft drinks.
I'm endorsing Janet Manuel Richards! Go Janet! (Bob Yoder)
Term: 2020-2023
Elected as Mayor in 2019, Angela Birney is now in her first term as Mayor of Redmond. The community of over 69,900 is home to a variety of several large industries such as aerospace, high tech, video game production, and biotech, as well as thousands of small businesses where over 85,000 people are employed.
As Mayor, she is the executive leader, with oversight of eight departments and over 600 employees. The Mayor collaborates with Council to set the strategy, vision, and policies for the City of Redmond.
The Mayor serves on the Hopelink Board of Directors, OneRedmond Board, Cascade Water Alliance Board, King County Council Regional Policy Committee, King County Regional Homelessness Authority, King County Climate Initiatives, Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board, I-405/SR 167 Executive Advisory Committee, Sound Cities Association Board, serving as Board Vice-President, and Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee.
Mayor Birney was elected to City Council in 2015 and served as Council President from 2018 to 2019. Prior to her Council service, she was the chair of the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission and volunteered her time at several different organizations throughout the Redmond community. She is a 2017 Leadership Eastside graduate.
Angela is a Washington native and grew up in Eastern Washington. She moved to Redmond in 1998. Formerly a middle school science teacher, she earned a Master of Education from Heritage University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology Education from Eastern Washington University. She lives on Education Hill with her husband and daughters.
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Internet image: Puget Sound |
Leading the way in this sustainability initiative and purchasing the first solar panels are Mayor Angela Birney, City Council President Tanika Padhye, Council Member Vanessa Kritzer, Chief Operating Officer Malisa Files, and city directors Carrie Hite (Parks), Dave Juarez and family (Public Works), and Carol Helland (Planning).
There are 500 solar panels available to be sponsored as an individual, family, group, or business. This gift is tax deductible and will leave a green legacy helping Redmond meet its sustainability goals. Additional opportunities to become a Founding Member in this project will launch on August 9.
“The Redmond Senior & Community Center is a legacy project that will meet a multitude of Redmond’s priorities and needs for community recreation and gathering space,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “We invite you to join us in the opportunity to be a Solar Champion and commit to Redmond’s sustainable future for generations to come.”
For additional information on the Redmond Senior & Community Center project and how to become a partner in this Community Investment Campaign, visit www.redmond.gov/RSCC.
For questions and more information, contact Communications Manager Jill Smith at jesmith@redmond.gov or 425-556-2448.
The following is financial information from a renewable energy solar company: Sunbridge Solar of Washington State:
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Photo credit: Redmond Reporter |
"Across King County, communities are stepping up to the challenge of addressing chronic homelessness, and I am excited to partner with Mayor Birney and the City of Redmond on the next step of Health through Housing," said Executive Constantine. "Health Through Housing is built on partnerships to bring in our neighbors from off the street, and I’m thankful for Mayor Birney and the City to bring this vision to life for the people of King County."
The former Silver Cloud Inn in Redmond is located [near Microsoft] at 2122 152nd Ave. NE and is conveniently located near transportation options and other services. It was constructed in 1984 and contains 144 units and sits on approximately 1.94 acres.
Health through Housing is a regional approach to addressing chronic homelessness on a countywide scale. By the end of 2022, King County will partner with local jurisdictions to create up to 1,600 emergency housing and permanent supportive housing units for people experiencing chronic homelessness. The County is acquiring existing facilities, like the Silver Cloud Inn in Redmond, to quickly create housing that is dignified, protective and service enriched.
In addition to a room to call their own, the hotel will offer residents 24/7 onsite staffing that will include case management and access to physical and behavioral health services. A competitive process will determine the onsite service provider before the facility is operational later this year.