Focus
SUMMER 2021
Reopening of City Facilities
The City of Redmond reopened city facilities, including City Hall, on Thursday, July 1. Facilities are currently open to the public between 10 a.m. and 3 p .m. Monday through Friday. The safety of the community and city staff is the top priority for Redmond and is the overriding goal of the city’s five-stage Stay Safe Reopening Plan.
Photo: Familiar faces around City Hall from left to right - Arts and Culture Commission Chair Angie Hinojos, Senior Programs Administrator Marty Boggs, City Council President Tanika Padhye, Mayor Angela Birney, Planning Commissioner Roy Captain
All participants pictured are vaccinated.
Designed by the Community for the Community
Schematic design is underway for a new, larger, and enhanced community center in the heart of Downtown Redmond. Through an extensive public involvement process, the schematic design reflects the priorities, voice, and needs of the greater community to build a facility that reaches across all ages and cultures.
The City engaged the community through four targeted outreach campaigns over two years and heard from a variety of stakeholders and community members who collectively affirmed the need for:
- Dedicated senior center space
- Expanded community center amenities
- Welcoming and universally accessible to serve all community members
“The Redmond Senior and Community Center will provide our displaced seniors an enhanced and flexible space, as well as much needed community space.”
LouAnn Ballew, Co-Chair Senior Advisory Committee
“It’s an accepting place for all teens and makes me feel like I am a part something greater.”
Tanzil, Member of Redmond Youth Partnership Advisory Committee and
Redmond Senior and Community Center Stakeholder Advisory Committee
“It’s gratifying to watch the design process play out with many of the elements suggested by the community such as the blending of indoor and outdoor space, improvements in accessibility, and a facility that supports real human connections.”
Alison Peters, Public involvement project consultant, 2016-2021
Local Artists Elevate Experience for Light Rail Passengers
When light rail begins servicing Redmond’s Overlake neighborhood in 2023, riders will experience more than fast, convenient connections throughout the region. Sound Transit commissioned four artists for the Overlake Village Station and Redmond Technology Station.
Learn more about the Sound Transit's light rail project and sign up for project updates:
Downtown Redmond Link Extension
East Link Extension (Overlake)
Leo Saul Berk
Verdant
Overlake Village Station
The first translucent leaves of spring cast emerald light on the forest floor, reminding us that another season of growth has arrived. Along this bridge, Redmond’s natural areas are hand-painted in the palette of green phosphorescent monitors with marks evoking low-res graphics of early computers.
Yuki Nakamura
Title to be Determined
Overlake Village Station
Nakamura will scatter a collection of colorful, organically shaped concrete sculptures that people will lounge on as they wait for the train. These polished, highly refined objects will be most visually appealing during the wettest months of the year, when the rain will make their colors extra vibrant and animate the station area during the darkest months of the year.
Kate Sweeney
Journey and Connection
Redmond Technology Station
The algorithm known as the Apollonian Gasket serves as the organizing structure of Sweeney’s work – a nod to the technology community surrounding the station. The algorithm, named after the mathematician Apollonius of Perga, is a fractal generated from a collection of tangent circles contained within a single larger circle. The sculptures hang like clouds over the bus transit area, creating a lively and engaging space for patrons transferring between buses and light rail.
Dan Webb
Move Your Boulder
Redmond Technology Station
Webb’s sculpture is a grouping of three stacked boulders, each seemingly being pushed inward by an immense carved hand. Webb writes “Life is filled with limits, and limits inspire creativity. Those limits are the metaphorical boulders that pepper our path, and each of us, in our own way, through trial and tribulation, learns to move them.”
Community Approach to Recovery
The City of Redmond created a COVID-19 recovery team and began working with local businesses and non-profits right away to make plans for overcoming many of the devastating economic challenges COVID-19 brought to our region.
“Centro Cultural Mexicano is thankful for the support we received through the City of Redmond and OneRedmond which has allowed us to continue to serve the Latino community, and others, with rent assistance and bilingual access to resources throughout the pandemic. We vaccinated 402 community members in May at our location and appreciate the City of Redmond’s support as a trusted partner in finding equitable solutions to the challenges we face as a community.”
Angie Hinojos, Centro Cultural Mexicano Executive Director
“The ‘streatery’ program allowed us to continue serving customers in a safe manner. We are grateful to have such a supportive community that helped us weather a tough year.”
Tim Short, Redmond Bar and Grill Owner
“We are very grateful for the support of the Redmond community who continue to come to see us and order food despite all of the restrictions and changes driven by COVID-19. Having that outdoor seating has been a lifesaver for both restaurants.”
Tony Scott, Woodblock and Spark Pizza co-owner
Summers in Redmond!
Play, stay, eat, and sip local, and enjoy Redmond’s parks, trails, events, and fun things to do all summer long.
Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!
Please remember that fireworks are not allowed in Redmond. Report illegal fireworks to Police non-emergency, 425-556-2500.
Take Simple Steps to Protect the Environment This Summer
Learn eco-friendly changes you can do at home, including the six simple steps of natural yard care and the best way to protect the environment while washing your car.
Come Outside and Play
The City is continuing to carefully reopen park amenities, in-person services, and programs in alignment with local safety guidelines. We urge all visitors and park users to follow the most current safety requirements outlined by the federal, state, and local public health agencies.