City Council Selects Name for New Community Center

 Posted on: August 22, 2022

Citizens give testimony asking for "Senior" in the Center name.

  (click picture to enlarge)

REDMOND, WA – At their Aug. 16 business meeting, members of the Redmond City Council voted ( *four to one) in support of naming the City’s new community center the Redmond Senior & Community Center. The name recognizes the new facility as a space for all generations to enjoy, gather, and recreate. Throughout the robust naming process, community members shared that they appreciated the name’s descriptiveness and that it clearly identifies the building as a place where seniors can feel comfortable and welcome. 

The name was selected in accordance with the City’s process for naming new city facilities and included extensive community outreach and involvement. Initially, 31 names were collected from key stakeholders and then staff reviewed the options and narrowed the list to three. This list was shared with the Redmond community for feedback at community events and in an online questionnaire, which received nearly 350 responses. Following this outreach, Parks and Recreation Department staff presented the options and feedback to the Parks and Trails Commission, which put forward a recommendation that was presented with the feedback to City Council. The Council discussed the recommendation and alternative names at length and determined the approved name was the best suited for the new building.

“We are excited for this important milestone and thank everyone who shared their voices throughout the process,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “We are now one step closer to providing a new welcoming space in Redmond that is designed for all ages to recreate, meet, and build community.”

The Redmond Senior & Community Center will be a 52,000-square-foot facility. The building will utilize LEED-certified materials, efficient energy-conserving systems, and rooftop solar panels which will provide 50% of the building’s electricity. The City began outreach for the project in 2020, which confirmed Redmond’s need for a larger center to serve the senior population, while also serving the entire community with cultural arts, events, and multigenerational recreation experiences and gathering space.

The new community center is slated to open in late 2023 on the site of the former Redmond Senior Center, adjacent to City Hall on Redmond’s Municipal Campus. The design concept includes a senior lounge and library, a multipurpose community room with a commercial kitchen, active recreation areas and gym, locker rooms, classroom and meeting space, and a supervised Kid Zone for Redmond’s youngest community members.

For more information about the project, visit redmond.gov/RSCC.

Comment:  * David Carson, Steve Fields, Jessica Forsythe, and Malissa Stewart voted "yes," Jaralee Anderson voted "no." Vanessa Kritzer was on family leave, and Varisha Kahn didn't show.  (Ms. Kahn is about 25 years old.)  

Surprisingly, the debate on "name" took several meetings and was contentious at times. I personally didn't hear one citizen give pro-Red Oak CC testemonity.  Staff pushed hard for Red Oak.  Council member Steve Fields concluded "we are very fortunate to have this community resource, regardless of name." Applause from both sides followed  -- Bob Yoder 

The River, Landmark Oak Trees, And Summer Fun

 

 Heritage Red Oak Tree in apparent distress during Senior Center construction.
(click to enlarge)

After a Vision Redmond 2050 meeting last night I joined Pam for some awesome "Hey Jude dancing" to the "Beatnicks." It was Rockn' on the River time!   

The Senior & Community building construction was nearby so we checked it out.  We first noticed the Heritage Red Oak Tree.  Not to alarm, but I'm concerned for its health.  Notice the mound of earth piled within the dripline root zone.  The roots are clearly disturbed.  Near the trunk a subsurface cement box is dug-out. Does the right side of the tree look somewhat shriveled/limp to you?  Why is the invasive work done in the heat of the summer?   

Worries out of the way, we then rushed to see if Council kept Red Oak 161. Yes, they did!  All three landmark Red Oaks are standing tall.  Three other good sized trees remain nearby.  

At a Council meeting (7/26) the Parks Director reported concerns that removing the tree will increase  impervious surfaces in the shoreline buffer.  In my opinion, pervious asphalt should be installed on the Center walkways within the shoreline buffer. Yes, it's expensive but if the city can install pervious asphalt on the entire Phase II Central Trail Connector they can certainly afford it on the State shoreline buffer.  

It was nice to see the white detention tanks for treating runoff.  They looked new, state of the art, and clean.  Only the best for the Sammamish River!

After Rockn' on the River was over we ran into Marty Boggs, Senior Center Administrator; he noted something extraordinary.  There wasn't a shred of litter on the lawns!  Said Marty, "It's like this every year, Redmond is a special place"   

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 8/12/2022

UPDATED: RED OAK COMMUNITY CENTER, "City Of Redmond's Finest"

Attractive "Red Oak Community Center" signage may complement the building's wood design.

UPDATE:  On 8/16/2022, Council named the building "Senior & Community Center" 4-1 (Anderson)

Video Tour

City Council recently studied community feedback for naming the new Senior/Community building.  Over 30 comments, including those from seniors were reviewed.  All explicitly stated why they felt the word senior should not be included. The primary reason is that seniors are a vital part of the community, and the name is meant to represent a welcoming and inclusive space of all Redmond residents.

My quick story:  I'm a Baby Boomer.  By eliminating "senior" the community center would be more vibrant and diverse for me.   More community members would  bond to "Red Oak Community Center" than a more generic Senior Center.  According to the city's definition, I've been a senior for 16 years. That's a turn-off.  I'm 71 now ("a gray hair") but I don't consider myself "senior."  I can play pickleball as good as the rest of them.  Other seniors can teach youth computer skills, throw clay, and swap stories.  Kids can teach older members computer and gaming skills. 20-60 year olds could do planned activities with the "seniors."

Are we including the other two community centers?  Are there opportunities for cross-pollination? The President of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) John Oftebro reminded me of their "schoolhouse community center."  (We play pickleball there too.  Others play ping pong.) RHS members trend older like me.  Could we welcome them and visa versa?  Historical Society membership would grow and become more diverse.  Any ideas for the Marymoor Community Center?  Administrative activities like for solar panel donations?  Something totally different?

Branding:  I think CM Forsythe and Mr. Fields prefer "Redmond" in the name.  How about "Red Oak Community Center" as the header, with a Redmond tagline?  Include Redmond LOGOs at the front desk and on select outdoor signage?  Once inside the Red Oak LOGO may fit into the architectural design (CM Stewart.)  

Throughout community engagement, community members expressed during the design process that the name “Redmond Senior & Community Center” implied that this space was only for seniors and did not feel that their feedback was important to the process. Additionally, senior centers throughout the region have moved toward more inclusive naming such as the Edmonds Waterfront Center to be representative of the community in which it exists.

Redmond's Heritage Northern Red Oak
credit, Yoder

The Parks and Trails Commission discussion on July 7, 2022 focused on whether “Senior” should be part of name but determined that “Community” is inclusive of all the people who would use the center. After discussion, the Planning Commission passed a motion 4:3 in favor of the “Red Oak Community Center.”  It will be going to the City Council for action August 2022.

-- Report & opinion by Bob Yoder, 7/30/2022

    SOURCE:  Parks Committee of the Whole memo.

UPDATED 6/19: The High Value Of Downtown City Trees

Three landmark oak trees. The Design Review Board says one must go.

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Councilmember David Carson led Council discussion on the Senior & Community Center monthly report.  It was the April 26th "Committee of the Whole" meeting. Councilmembers Varisha Kahn and Steve Fields were absent.

Eric Dawson, Project Manager gave each councilmember a tree heath assessment map  (or something similar.) Thirty-two trees will be removed,  mostly from around the building. 199 replacement sapling trees will be planted.  The high count is attributable to the 128 replacement tree requirements in the "Shoreline jurisdiction."  

President Jessica Forsythe asked "how many trees can potentially be saved, especially looking at the first one nearest the River Trail?  It's a pretty substantial tree and lots of people enjoy the shade. There's about five I'm hoping we can do something." 

Mr. Dawson said mildly, he was looking into small shrubs to give away to homeowners.  huh?  At one time he said the City could afford a "green roof" on the Center.  A sliver of one is planned.

President Forsythe asked about reworking the trail rather than removing the tree.  Mr. Dawson said the Design Review Board studied every angle to find the "best connection point" between the river and the Center. They decided the entrance to the Center near a landmark tree was the most inviting and the tree would need to go; yet he committed to one more look.  

Parks Chair Councilmember David Carson was positive about saving the tree saying "it took 50-60 years to get that tree to where it's at."  He said it was an ideal shade tree for the picnic tables. City planner Cameron Zapata said Red Oaks are sometimes called "Champion Trees." 

Odds & ends:  Vice President Vanessa Kritzer asked about the pickleball courts. Eric said they will stay open until the cranes are up.  "Art Hill" will close for staging.  Late 2022, early 2023 construction cranes will be up.  Councilmember Malissa Stuart got assurances from Mr. Dawson that full programing with some finishing touches will be in place late 2023 when the Center opens.  

I did quite a bit of research on the "inviting entrance" near the landmarks seen in this photo. The OPSIS Health Assessment marked the three trees as "significant" Oaks measuring 24", 20", and 24".  I measured them: all three were a minimum 30 inches ABH while standing on their roots. These Oaks are landmarks.  I fear the the middle landmark will be removed unless Council intervenes. I'm not positive they are Red Oaks. The foliage of  three Oaks looks different from the Heritage tree.

It's interesting four Oregon White Oaks are designated tree replacements.  For more information about the tree replacements.  READ MORE: 

UPDATED, 6/26/22: Redmond's Heritage Oak Tree

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The Oak Heritage Tree
Chris Weber, Arts Administrator next to trunk 
(click to enlarge)

Opinion:  Mayor Angela Birney's "Senior & Community Center" groundbreaking ceremony yesterday was fabulous.  After the ceremony, we walked to City Hall for a poster session and to meet *city staff, our elected and city leaders.  

We were asked to "vote with stones" for a building name we liked best. I recommended "Red Oak Senior Center" on one side and "Redmond Community Center" on the other side. I really hope it's the peoples' choice.  So, what's so special about "Northern Red Oaks" Quercus Rubra?

• They grow 300+ years and have been in existence 400 years.
• Excellent shade trees, beautiful fall colors.
• Tolerant to urban conditions, powerful winds, drought.
• They originated in England. Not native to the NW.  "Easy and comfortable to transplant." 
• Fast growing, 2 feet/year, the first 10 years
• Top off at 70 feet - 88 feet, round shape
• Diameter:  47 inches.

This Red Oak may have gotten it's start from a sapling, a transplant (or an acorn 😁 )  Construction at the site will yield 191 tree replacements; I hope some of the  replacements will be Red Oaks. Perhaps a grove could be planted with tables and chairs under the canopy?  Three other landmark Red Oaks are on the property.

The Heritage Tree is decorated with lights every year for the holidays.  A mayoral ceremony under the tree usually starts the Luminary Walk.  The tree is actually not on the Senior Center site. 

* SEEN:  Hank Myers, Hank Margeson, Vanessa Kritzer, Angela Birney, Pat Vache', Arnie Tomac, Laura Lee Bennett, John Oftebro, Cherl Strong Magnuson, Rosemarie Ives, John Couch, Jessica Forsythe, Eric Dawson (project manager,) Zach Houvener, Loreen Hamilton (parks director.) Jim Kalelage (architect,) John Marchione, Sue Stewart, Chris Weber, Marty Boggs, David and Chip. 

Source:  https://localtreeestimates.com/northern-red-oak/

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, photo, 6/3/2022