Focus - Spring 2023
SPRING 2023
A Message from Mayor Angela Birney
Partnerships are key to the vibrancy of Redmond. They bring new ideas to fruition and provide support for much-needed services that align with our community’s priorities. We know we can do much more when we work together, so the City works to foster opportunities with businesses, nonprofits, other government agencies, and residents for the betterment of our Redmond community.
Working at the intersection of two of the City’s priorities of climate protection and housing for all, we recently partnered with the King County Housing Authority (KCHA) and the nonprofit affordable housing developer Imagine Housing to make energy-efficiency upgrades to the Terrace Hill affordable housing complex in Downtown Redmond. Thanks to funding from KCHA’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, all 18 units at Terrace Hill are being retrofitted with heat pumps and other energy conservation measures, which will increase comfort and provide efficient heating and cooling to residents. Redmond is fortunate to have organizations like KCHA and Imagine Housing working alongside us to support community members and make our collective housing and climate goals possible.
We continue to build a robust, sustainable community together by leveraging partnerships, creating connections, utilizing state and federal resources, and through each of our individual actions. Thank you for all you do for our environment.
Mayor Angela Birney
Earth
Month
2023
Earth Month 2023
A Note from Your City Council
This Earth Month, and every month, your City Councilmembers are committed to environmental sustainability. We continue to work toward the goals in our Climate Emergency Declaration and Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP), as well as prioritize Redmond’s sustainable future in all Council actions and policymaking. Some of City Council’s recent accomplishments include advocating for the sustainable design of our newest community center, accepting grant funding to invest in an electric fire engine arriving in 2025, lobbying for climate solutions during the legislative session, and soon members will take action on the new State Council energy building codes, requiring heat pumps in new residential and commercial construction beginning this July.
Coffee with Council
Come visit with Council President Forsythe and Vice President Kritzer.
Tuesday, May 16 from 8 - 9 a.m.
Victor’s Coffee
7993 Gilman Street, Redmond
Find more Redmond City Council information
Email Redmond City Council
Free Sustainable Living Classes
The City of Redmond’s free sustainable living classes provide information about recycling, waste reduction, composting, safer cleaning, and more. All classes are live with an experienced instructor, either online or in-person.
Find current classes and events
City of Redmond Free Shredding Events
The City of Redmond sponsors free shredding events open to all Redmond residents. Don’t miss this great opportunity to securely shred any documents with important personal information.
April 16 and May 7 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Bella Bottega QFC Parking Lot
8867 161st Ave NE, Redmond
For safety, please remain in your vehicle.
What to bring:
Personal or confidential documents only. Please do not bring junk mail, newspapers, catalogs, or other items that can be recycled at home. No pre-shredded materials, CDs, DVDs, binders, or plastic bags are allowed.
How much to bring:
Please limit your quantity of personal documents to five banker boxes or an equivalent amount.
Who can participate:
The event is open to all households but is not intended for businesses. All papers are securely shredded on-site and recycled.
Can This Be Recycled?
Ever wonder what can be recycled at home, or how to recycle, donate, or properly dispose of unique items like mattresses or furniture? Visit Redmond’s Recycling Video Library to watch short videos about what can be recycled or donated and how to properly dispose of other items. Visit the What Goes Where database to quickly and easily search for recycling or donation options for specific items, as well as options for proper disposal when recycling is not available.
Recycling Video Library
What Goes Where Tool
Free Doorstep Recycling Pickup of Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, and Plastic Film
The City of Redmond is partnering with Ridwell to offer all Redmond residents the opportunity to recycle Styrofoam, plastic bags, and plastic film from your doorstep for free. Plastic film includes bubble wrap, some Amazon Prime shippers, clean Ziploc bags, and more.
This offer is open to all City of Redmond residents living in houses, condos, and apartments. It is currently unavailable for businesses, schools, or other organizations. You do not have to be a Ridwell member to participate.
In 2022, Redmond residents who participated in city-sponsored Ridwell pickups recycled:
941 cubic yards of Styrofoam2,400 pounds of plastic bags and plastic film
1,285 pounds of holiday lights
Free city-sponsored Ridwell doorstep recycling pickups will be held in May and September.
Find specific dates and sign-up information
Free Wastemobile Event
Dispose of up to 50 gallons of household hazardous waste for no fee. Visit King County’s website for details on what is and is not accepted and hazardous waste safety tips.
April 7 - 9 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Home Depot
17777 NE 76th Street, Redmond
Learn more about the Wastemobile
Reflect on Earth Month Through Poetry
The Westside Fir
by Redmond Poet Laureate Laura Da'
Lichen dripping
from tree branches attest
to the purity of the air. Douglass fir
in close stands of old growth
naturally prune
their own
lower branches
so the crown level starts far
above the human gaze. In the city, alongside
the walking trail and the once
meandering river
a pre-contact
fir falls into
a net of green. Inside the
rings of the tree: the memory
of a green mantle that stretched
from fresh water
to salt.
Deep channels
in the bark cradle the symbiotic
growth of algae, mold, and yeast that make
lichen. A fallen tree provides
a nest of new growth.
Hypothetically,
lichen may
be an eternal organism, forever
exchanging form. When the land begins,
it begins in lichen and tree fall.
Let the city
under
the moved
river breathe in the air
of the fallen fir and its gilding of lichen and hear
the sound of its own heartbeat
in the currents of the
persisting river.
Save Energy. Stay Comfortable.
Making your home more energy efficient can improve comfort and indoor air quality, and has the potential to save money! That’s why the City of Redmond and the Eastside cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, and Mercer Island are expanding the Energy Smart Eastside program to offer a new incentive for efficient heat pumps. Low-income community members are also eligible for full-cost-coverage installations while funding is available.
“We love our heat pump – it heats and cools our home, performs great in freezing temperatures, and is more efficient than our old gas furnace,” said Rheya Molloy, a heat pump owner, Redmond resident, and member of Redmond’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee. “It has also made our house a sanctuary during recent smoke events. We’re happy we made the switch!”
Learn about heat pump incentives and more
Have You Met Redmond's Sustainability Program Manager?
Jenny Lybeck manages the implementation of Redmond's Environmental Sustainability Action Plan in partnership with city staff and the community. She strives to weave sustainability and resiliency values into programs and policies across the City. Jenny and her family are also very happy owners of a heat pump!
If you have questions about the City's Sustainability Program, email sustainability@redmond.gov.
Building for Equity, Sustainability, and Resiliency
Redmond is looking to and planning for the future and is committed to improving equity, sustainability, and resiliency as we transition from a suburb to a city.
In 2023, Redmond 2050 staff will host community conversations about key topics that will directly impact how our community looks and how we can make our community more welcoming and accessible. Your input will shape how you live, work, and play in Redmond, as well as how you will be able to find your way around town.
Participate in a “Walk & Roll” tour, drop in at our monthly meet-ups at the library, or join a community workshop or focus group. Also, stop to visit us wherever we pop up in the community this spring and summer.
This is a once-a-decade opportunity to update our vision for the future of Redmond, and to identify community priorities, projects, and other actions that we can take to ensure we meet the needs of our Redmond community. Actions taken now will impact what is built, where, and how for the next 25 years.
Share your ideas on how we can:
“As a resident of Redmond, I am inspired by the City’s initiatives aimed at promoting equality and opportunity for all. Living in Redmond has helped me appreciate its emphasis on wellness and quality of life, with numerous parks, bike trails, and outdoor activities.”
- Matthew Renzelmann,
Redmond 2050 Community Advisory Committee member
“Encouraging teenagers to be involved in the local community helps them feel a greater sense of belonging, ownership, and pride in their community.”
- Victoria Rice,
teacher at Redmond High School, who has incorporated Redmond 2050 into her classroom
“As a 40-year Redmond resident, I want to see the City maintain its unique, inviting, and open character and still have the vision to intelligently further urbanize.”
- Tom McGovern,
Redmond 2050 Community Advisory Committee member
Learn more and help shape the future of Redmond
On Track for a More Sustainable Future
Light rail is transforming the region’s transportation network and continues to make a positive impact on the environment. The Downtown Redmond Link Extension, which received the Envision Platinum award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure for its sustainability commitment, along with the East Link Extension, will connect the Eastside with the existing 1 Line, creating new and more sustainable ways to travel. Riders will be able to go from Downtown Redmond to Downtown Bellevue in 18 minutes, and from Downtown Redmond to Downtown Seattle in 42 minutes. Dive deeper into the impacts these projects are making through light rail by the numbers.
Moving More People, More Quickly
Trains will run every eight minutes during peak weekday commute times. Each four-car train can hold 800 riders, including 16 riders using wheelchairs and 8-12 bicycles
100+ Bicycle Parking Spaces
Between Marymoor Village Station and Downtown Redmond Station, with space to add more as needed
New trAIL CONNECTIONS
Connecting the East Lake Sammamish Trail to the Redmond Central Connector trail, creating new and safe routes to transit
700+ tREES pLANTED
Sound Transit’s work in Redmond will bring more than 700 trees both onsite and in adjacent areas
525 FEET OF RESTORATION IN BEAR CREEK
Extensive work was completed at Bear Creek, including removing old rail infrastructure, planting vegetation, and improving conditions for wildlife, including salmon
100% CARBON-FREE ELECTRICITY
Link is the first major light rail system in the country to run on 100% carbon-free electricity
Learn more about these light rail projects
Protecting Streams in Her Neighborhood
Meet Alice G, an eighth grader at Redmond Middle School, who signed up to adopt 11 storm drains in her neighborhood last year. Alice was looking for a service opportunity and thought the Adopt-a-Drain program sounded like a cool way to make a difference in her community. She likes that she can participate whenever she has free time, without having to drive to another place, and her mom Cindy likes that Alice can do this project on her own.
Alice patrols her drains at least once a month, raking and removing trash as needed. Her efforts help keep the streets clear, reduce flooding around storm drains, and protect Bear Creek. After one big storm last fall, Alice filled her family’s big gray yard waste bin with the debris dropped by trees by one of her drains. In 2022, Alice reported removing 80 pounds of leaves, pine needles, and mud from just one storm drain.
Join Alice in helping ensure the sustainable future of Redmond’s waterways by adopting a storm drain in your neighborhood.
Adopt a drain
.
Protect the Environment by maintaining your side sewer
Rain doesn’t belong in the sewer, but it can get there. The side sewer is the pipe that carries sewage from the building to the municipal sewage pipe. It belongs to the property owner. Sewage from your side sewer can back up into your house and yard when the pipes get clogged. Never plant trees or bushes in these areas, flush trash, or put fats, oils, and grease (FOG) down the drain to prevent this problem. If you run into issues or have questions, call 425-556-2900 ext. 7.
Building Green for the Community
The Redmond Senior & Community Center aims to set a new standard in Redmond for sustainable construction.
The design team at Opsis Architecture, in conjunction with city staff and Absher Construction, is utilizing several measures to ensure the building is being constructed in an environmentally conscious way.
“Our focus is across five key areas: carbon reduction, job site wellness, waste management, material selection, and water management,” said Project Superintendent Jason Heidal. “In the construction process, we focus on equipment emissions, including a ‘no-idle’ policy on the site, as well as separating and diverting waste streams to keep construction debris out of landfills.”
The most visible sustainable measure for this project will be the photovoltaic solar system on the roof. Dozens of community members have recently become Solar Champions to support the purchase of the solar panels that will help to offset the building’s energy needs.
“It enhances the quality of our indoor experiences while minimizing environmental impact,” said Solar Champion LouAnn Ballew. “The new community center is designed to benefit the community through a reduced carbon footprint.”
As the community looks toward the building’s opening in May 2024, plans are also in the making to revive the former garden program.
“The garden program was created years ago as an intergenerational opportunity for teens and seniors. The garden at the new community center will continue to provide valuable volunteer experiences,” said Ballew, who is also a community member and participant in the City’s Senior Programs.
Sustainable building is key for this project, explained City of Redmond Project Manager Eric Dawson.
“This project is located in a critically important location for sustainability. The area’s proximity to the Sammamish River, the groundwater aquifer, as well as its location on City Hall campus make it an example for all Redmond businesses and residents on how to value and execute a sustainable project.”
- Eric Dawson,
City of Redmond Project Manager
Community Led, Sustainable Design
Follow the progress of the Redmond Senior & Community Center
Relishing Pickleball in Redmond
It’s no secret that pickleball is a big "dill" in Redmond, the state of Washington, and across the nation. As many cities around the Northwest look to private investors to fund new infrastructure and provide access to this popular sport, the City of Redmond continues to offer year-round outdoor play at eight locations, indoor drop-in play at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse, and summer pickleball clinics.
“I think pickleball is a great way to get outside and enjoy some exercise in our beautiful community,” said community member Ben Perry. “It is fun, competitive, easily picked up, and can be played by people of all ages and skill levels. I think that’s why we see it blowing up in popularity here in Redmond.”
Compared to cities with similar populations, Redmond has twice as many pickleball courts as the national average, and that number continues to expand. In 2022, the City stood up an additional four courts at Perrigo Park, and the new Redmond Senior & Community Center will include a multi-purpose gymnasium with lines for three pickleball courts when its doors open in May 2024.
Last fall, the City of Redmond hosted its first pickleball tournament with 16 teams. In addition to making the tournament an annual event, the City is also planning to resurface the courts at Meadow Park and Reservoir Park and has recently formed a community focus group to aid in the efforts to continue to make this popular sport accessible to all Redmond residents.
Pickleball welcomes everyone to play regardless of age or ability.
“Need proof?” asked community member Dennis Poppe. “Show up at Perrigo Park from April through October, and someone will likely hand you a paddle and introduce you to the game!”
“We all want to move more and relate more. Pickleball does both.”
- Glen Peterson,
Redmond community member
Learn more about pickleball in Redmond
Enhancing Redmond Parks
With the recently passed biennial budget, the City has allocated resources to ensure our community stays vibrant and connected through a variety of improvements to Redmond’s park system.
- Meadow and Reservoir Parks: Renovate sports courts
- Events Street Closure: Construct permanent infrastructure to close streets for events in and around Downtown Park
- Community Garden Expansion: Construct new community garden plots, beginning with Juel Park
- Pop-Up Dog Park: Construct and operate a new off-leash dog park for six-month operation in 2023 and 2024
- Cricket Lines at Grass Lawn Park: Replace turf on Field 2 to include striping for multiple sports, including cricket
- Southeast Redmond Master Plan: Get community feedback to create a plan for a three-acre neighborhood park
- Perrigo Park Field Lighting: Convert to energy-efficient field lighting fixtures
- Lighting fixtures at city buildings (City Hall, Teen Center, Fire Stations 14, 16, 17, and 18: Replace lighting fixtures to realize energy and cost savings, maintenance savings, and reduce waste
- Redmond Central Connector Phase 3: Provide bicycle and pedestrian routes and connect to the rest of the 42-mile Eastrail system
Find more information about these projects
Redmond Summer Camps
Choose Your Adventure
Summer Day Camp
Registration opens:
March 28 at 8 a.m. for residents
April 4 at 8 a.m. for non-residents
Register for summer camp
We Are Hiring
Permanent, temporary, part-time and full-time positions.
Join the Redmond team and enjoy:
• Rewarding work serving the Redmond community
• Fun and friendly coworkers
• Competitive pay and benefits