Redmond mayor says rapid growth is here to stay

Mayor John Marchione
(Internet)

The following are excerpts from Mike Rosenberg's "Seattle Times" article of 8/11/2018:  Sure looks like rapid growth is here to stay.  

Redmond grew its housing stock by about 15 percent this decade, behind only Seattle among major King County cities.  Redmond is actually one of three King County suburbs (along with Issaquah and Federal Way) where a majority of homes are in multi-family buildings.

"Moratoriums and people who want to slow down growth exacerbate the housing problem." said Redmond Mayor John Marchione.  "I hear people who say' I want you to stop the growth in downtown and I want to lower prices.'  And that's economically impossible.  It's illogical but people still ask for that."

"If you really want housing prices to be stable, you need to increase the supply to lessen the price hike."

Of course, a big part of why housing doesn't get built in my suburbs is community opposition.  Marchione, the Redmond mayor guesses about one-third or his city's resident are generally opposed to all growth. What does he tell those people?

"I ask, where do you want your kids to live?"  Marchione said. He also tries to counter the impression among some homeowners that renters are "other," different people, noting that he himself recently downsized from a single-family house to an apartment.

Source:  "Housing Construction is at historic lows, while Seattle is setting records." 
By Mike Rosenberg, 8/11/2018 "Seattle Times."

My trip to Europe -- Redmond History & urban transportation

Two long rows of "scooters-motorcycles " blanket a plaza
in Sorrento credit/ Pam Yoder

On July 23, our family burst out of the Redmond bubble for an eye-opening visit to Ireland and Italy.  After 40 years of life in Redmond it was about time to gain new perspectives!

Our trip was instigated by my nephew, playing the Irish in a  Aussie Rules Football. tournament.  We lost both games but the Guinness, Jamison and lively pubs made up for it.

I had my eye out for the McRedmonds in Ireland.  None to be found.  Luke McRedmond immigrated to America during the potato famine and homesteaded here in 1850.  Upon becoming postmaster in 1882 he renamed the town from "Salmonberg" to Redmond.  [Click on the hyperlink to read a fascinating account of the early development of Redmond up to Microsoft's presence.]

My daughter Lexie, and her boyfriend had to leave after the tourney.  Pam and I extended our trip to visit Venice, Rome, Sorrento and Capri.  Great times!! but the biggest negative was a plethora of noisy, invasive "scooters" in Sorrento (pop. 16,500.)  They appeared as a scooter-motorcycle hybrid....not the kind I know...and often drove only feet from back-street restaurants.  As opposed to Ireland, Italian streets have no curbs so the "scooters" can drive and park most anywhere,  Cars had less presence. I saw a handful electric bikes and bicycles but no bike shares.  Rather, the streets and plazas were loaded with many large scooter parking spaces, as seen in the photo.

Electric bikes and bike shares have a smaller parking footprint than scooters and our curbed streets make these bikes less invasive and more controlled.  Electric bikes and bike shares are more appropriate than scooters for our urban centers and are the wave of the future for Redmond.

B. Yoder, opinion

Link Light Rail to Redmond

Link Light Rail to Redmond Project Summary

Sound Transit is extending light rail from Seattle to Redmond, with four stations in Redmond. Two stations, Overlake Village Station and the Redmond Technology Station, will open in Overlake in 2023. These stations are now under construction.

Two stations will open in 2024, one in Southeast Redmond and another in Downtown Redmond. The Downtown extension is in design, with Sound Transit preparing to solicit proposals from design-build teams this fall to complete design and construct the extension. Light Rail Extension to Downtown

The Downtown Redmond Link Extension is the 3.4-mile extension of light rail from the future Redmond Technology Station at NE 40th St. to the terminus station in Downtown Redmond.

Street Closures During Construction While most light rail construction for the Downtown extension will be along SR 520, limiting impacts to city streets,

There are five areas that will be significantly impacted by construction:

The Overlake “Triplets”

1. NE 40th St. at the eastbound SR 520 ramps

2. NE 51st St. at the eastbound SR 520 ramps

3. NE 60th immediately east of SR 520 Downtown Streets

4. NE 76th St. between 164th and 170th Aves. NE

5. 166th Ave. NE between NE 76th St. and Cleveland St.

Source:  Council Study Session memo of 8/28.

Great Blue Heron spears bullhead

credit John Reinke

This is a Great Blue Heron just after it caught a brown bullhead which is a local species of catfish here in Washington state.  The picture was taken this month at the wetland enclosure on the east side where 90th Street crosses the Sammamish River here in Redmond.  

- John Reinke

The City's Annual Citizen Survey, "National Night Out" and "Rockin' on the River" Events

Take the City's Annual Citizen Survey, Register for "National Night Out" against crime and "Rockin' on the River" Summer Concerts. 

Click here to begin

 "National Night Out" against crime is an excellent way to connect with your neighbors over a potluck.  I've hosted one and went to another last year.  On my first, a council member stopped by to say hi.  On the second, a friendly police battalion chief showed up in her nice car and spent a lot of time with us.  When you register you can request as visit from Fire, Police, a Council member and even the Mayor!  But register early.  There are only so many city folks to go around!

credit "Experience Redmond"

My wife and I have been to three "Rockin' on the River Summer Concerts."  The music is lively and so much fun to dance to while the atmosphere is still laid-back and relaxing. You can buy a fully loaded hot dog at the Kiwanis booth or bring your own for a picnic on the lawn.  We're going back every year! Bring your own chairs or a blanket.

As for the government survey I've had reservations taking them in the past since they've been so excruciatingly long.  They were also created by city staff to seemingly justify their actions and direct us to their goals. Not so. with this survey!  It is prepared by an independent outside consultant, is objective and without leading questions.  My only wish is more space for written feedback. It's a good survey and should help the city stay connected and engaged with us. 

B. Yoder, opinion

Home prices and population skyrocketing

Richard and Eileen  Morris

Thousands of Microsoft, Nintendo and other employees commute into Redmond every day raising the daytime population almost three-fold.  Of course most prefer living in Redmond to avoid the commute and to live in the premier LW school district. Supply simply can't keep up with demand and prices are skyrocketing.  Typically a bidding war begins right after a house is listed with the deal closed within a week.

My long-time friend and neighbor Richard and Eileen Morris sold their Education Hill, 2490 sf house for an incredible $906,000. They purchased it in 1982 for $100,000.  I'm really going to miss them but it's his time to retire (and "get the hell out of dodge." as I like to say.)  He, like many old-timers was a passionate community volunteer.   Richard spent hours building-out the Redmond Historical Society website and was honored the "History Hero" in 2012,  I will miss them dearly but they're not far away!

B. Yoder

Redmond growth will accelerate for years.  Currently our resident population is close to 68,000.  According to city projections,78,000 residents are expected by 2030.

  

Downtown Park Grand Opening set for September 15th

Jessica R, City Arts Administrator gave a presentation to City Council on the Grand Opening of the Downtown Park during a July 3rd Council committee meeting.   The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, September 15th, 5PM - 10PM....hopefully without rain.  A "soft opening" is date-uncertain,

This will be a time of celebrating Redmond's first urban park...."the last major construction project for the downtown" according to the City.  It sounds like a fun time.  "Everyone's invited -- they are expecting a So Bazzar type of attendance of 5,000."

Ribbon cutting is 5-5:30 PM.  An afternoon scavenger hunt is being considered, in concert with the local business.  After the ribbon cutting there will be a community picnic with long picnic tables set along 161st....I think.  The Grand Lawn is available as well.  Restaurants will be partnering for to-go ordering. 

Redmond's first Artist in Residence will give an interactive performance, "100 years From Today."  It will have three acts with crafts and games in between.  The current Artist in Residence will present a digital art exhibit at the pavilion (the "flying saucer.")

The theme for the event is "metamorphosis" -- celebrating the rapid change from a one stoplight town to an urban center.  Caterpillar and butterfly art will be scattered around the park. The event closes at 8 PM with a digital lighting exhibition presented by Redmond's current Artist in Residence.

Source:  Council Committee of the Whole, Parks & Human Service, July 3rd video.

Note:  The Downtown Park cost $18M to build but many say it's closer to $40M when counting the land acquisition and other expenses.

  ☝   The scavenger hunt is sponsored by One Redmond and will begin at 1PM.  According to David Carson, cater-fly art won't be installed.  

B. Yoder

Source:  Council Committee of the Whole, Parks and Human Services.  

Two more "high rise" projects planned for downtown Redmond

Redmond rentals

Two downtown "high rise" rental projects are nearing approval.  They are in the "Design Review Process" where landscaping, building colors and roofs are reviewed before the permit is approved.  If you are interested in commenting or advising please contact Gary Lee, the city planner. 

1.  Redmond Square

PRE-APPLICATION 
LAND-2018-00514, Redmond Square
Neighborhood:  Downtown 
Description:  Development consisting of approximately 583 residential dwelling units and approximately 25,000 sf of commercial uses  Four story
Location: 16563 Redmond Way and 16425 Cleveland Street
Applicant:  Jay Liu and Mark McKallor
Staff Contact: Gary Lee, 425-556-2418 or glee@redmond.gov
Review Materials:  Memo   Materials

2,  Redmond Way Flats

PRE-APPLICATION 
LAND-2018-00279, Redmond Way Flats
Neighborhood:  Downtown 
Description:  Demolition of existing commercial building & parking lot; construction of a six story +/- 129,000 sf residential building with approximately 102 apartment units; +/- 2,700 sf of commercial space and parking for +/- for 101 vehicles
Location: 16760 Redmond Way
Applicant:  Bryan Bellissimo with Encore Architects
Prior Review Date:  04/19/18
Staff Contact: Gary Lee, 425-556-2418 or glee@redmond.gov
Review Materials:  Memo     Materials     Architectural     Landscape   

Click on "Memo" for colored graphics and full description.  

Bike shares in our neighborhoods and parks?

W

Internet photo

Council reviewed the draft "bike share pilot program" at their last study session.  Staff made the following recommendations for the pilot project.  As I read it:

1)  The total fleet (composed of 2 bike share companies) will initially be 400 bike shares. Council member Margeson said "this is a very conservative number."   A minimum amount of electric-bike shares (e-shares) will be 10%, because as Mr. Margeson says "We have a lot of hills in Redmond."  Council member Hank Myers said this regulation is unneeded.  I agree.

Internet photo

2)  "Bike shares shall not be parked within the 5-foot pedestrian walk zones of a sidewalk." Thus, they won't be allowed to park on our neighborhood sidewalks.   However e-shares can climb our neighborhood hills to all of our city parks and park there.

In all likelihood, we can expect bike shares legally available in our city by late August.  These bike shares will change the look and feel of our city.

If you have any questions or concerns contact info@redmond.gov.

B. Yoder, opinion