Focus - Summer 2023

A Message from Mayor Angela Birney

It is my honor to serve as your Mayor as we work together to advance community-identified priorities.

With a focus on creating a welcoming community for all, one of our priorities is housing choices. There is simply not enough supply, so we are working creatively with housing developers and community partners to increase the variety of housing types across all income levels to ensure everyone has access to safe, healthy, and affordable homes.

We have made great strides by weaving affordable housing into new construction, improving permitting processes to spur faster and less expensive residential development, and collaborating with our community partners. Recently, the City approved $10 million to subsidize the expansion of affordable housing and contributed an additional $4 million to the Together Center in Downtown, a first-of-its-kind human services hub blended with 280 affordable housing units. In 2022, our homelessness response program housed 68% of the nearly 300 individuals they supported. Additionally, we’ve gained about 5,400 new homes in the past five years, of which 17% are affordable units.

I’m encouraged by our progress, but there is more to do. Redmond’s voice in addressing this regional crisis is critical, which is why I serve on the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) governing committee, the national steering committee of the Housing Supply Accelerator, and the Association of Washington Cities Housing Solutions Group. Also aligned with this work, Councilmembers and I were instrumental in advocating for the successful passage of House Bill 1110, reinforcing the importance of increasing middle housing.

I am committed to further enhancing our community to be a place where all can thrive, and I invite you to email me at mayor@redmond.gov with your questions or feedback.

Mayor Angela Birney

Honoring the Past. Celebrating Our Community.

On May 19, members of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, and Stillaguamish tribes were joined by Mayor Birney, Councilmembers, and city staff along the Bear Creek Trail to dedicate a ceremonial, carved wooden house post. This post is a contemporary interpretation of a long-held practice of Pacific Northwest Salish peoples and is carved from a single cedar log pole. Posts traditionally mark and honor the place of a community and reflect the values and stories of its people.

The house post was carved from cedar by members of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and includes salmon depicted in the metalwork, symbolizing both the most valuable resource and the cycle of renewal.

“It’s important to us as Native Americans that our European neighbors understand that even though the village is gone, even though the people are long gone, we still have a unique connection to this place and its resources”

- Warren King George,
Historian, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

House Post_Story Image — The house post was carved from cedar by members of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and includes salmon depicted in the metalwork, symbolizing both the most valuable resource and the cycle of renewal.

House Post Josh Gabel_Story Image — Snoqualmie Councilman and Treasurer Josh Gabel

House Post Group_Story Image — From left: Mayor Birney, carvers Keith Stevenson and Tyson Simmons, and Vice-Chair Donny Stevenson of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

The Significance of Bear Creek

Learn more about the history of the Bear Creek site and visit the house post along the Bear Creek Trail just west of 164th Avenue NE, along Bear Creek Parkway.

Learn more about the Bear Creek Site

Rollin' Through Redmond

Have fun and make an impact this summer!

With summer upon us, as well as the warming weather and longer days, it’s the perfect time to leave your car at home and explore Redmond on wheels.

Redmond has a rich history as a bicycle-friendly community, with nearly 40 miles of trails and a 75-mile bicycle system to enjoy. This summer, we’ll celebrate the opening of the Overlake Village Bridge, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge connecting SR 520 to the nearby future light rail station. Next year, the Redmond Technology Bridge will provide pedestrians and bicyclists with a new east-west trail connection across SR 520.

Did you know that the City’s Go Redmond program provides resources and encourages people who live or work in Redmond to reduce driving trips? Over the last year, Go Redmond users logged more than 39,000 miles of bike trips!

And the benefits are clear. Bicycling improves quality of life by reducing pollution, traffic congestion, and wear and tear on our streets, as well as personal benefits like reducing stress and your carbon footprint – not to mention that it’s really fun!

Join the fun and learn to ride this summer by taking a bike class offered through Redmond’s Parks and Recreation Department, watch a library of short how-to bike videos available at GoRedmond.com/Bike, and find a business directory with local bike shops at ExperienceRedmond.com.

Watch Mayor Birney's Our Stories Redmond Connections video about Bike Month

A Note from Your City Council

City Council has been engaged in conversations recently about ways to build a more connected, inclusive, and equitable community. We are planning opportunities for community members to engage directly with City Council. Please stop by and say hi at our booth at Derby Days on July 15 and the new Redmond Downtown Art Walk on Aug. 17. Also, be on the lookout for details about a special City Council meeting outside of City Hall very soon. As a reminder, you can always reach out to any of us for a one-on-one conversation using the contact information listed at redmond.gov/Council or join us at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at City Hall to give public comment to the full Council. We love hearing your ideas and serving your needs, so please reach out!

Visit the Council webpage

Email City Council

Redmond Events Calendar

Summer Fun!

Summer Camps

June 25 - September 1

Discover Redmond Summer Camps: where kids create, explore, and make lifelong friends. With camps for ages 4-18 at 12 locations throughout the area, we offer endless adventure, active recreation, and a safe environment for every child to explore this summer.

redmond.gov/SummerCamps

Derby Days

JUly 14 - 15

Redmond’s historic summer festival is back on July 14 and 15! Rooted in the spirit of friendly competition, Derby Days started in 1939 and continues each year as an opportunity to bring together Redmond’s diverse community in celebration. This year’s event features carnival rides, bike races, food, cornhole tournaments, kids bike parade, main stage entertainment, beer and wine garden, craft market, and the return of the drone light show.

redmond.gov/DerbyDays

Wastemobile

July 14 - July 16

King County’s Wastemobile will visit Redmond from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 14 – 16, at the Home Depot Parking Lot, 17777 NE 76th Street, Redmond.

Residents and small businesses may bring hazardous waste, such as drain cleaner, gasoline, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, and more, for safe disposal.

Find a complete list of accepted items and quantities at KingCountyHazWasteWA.gov.

Shredding Events

July 23 and September 17

City-sponsored free shredding events are open to all Redmond residents. Don’t miss this great opportunity to securely shred any documents with important personal information. Only bring personal or confidential documents, and limit your quantity to five banker boxes or an equivalent amount. Pre-shredded materials, CDs, DVDs, binders, or plastic bags are prohibited. All documents are shredded and recycled on-site.

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | July 23 and Sept. 17
Bella Bottega QFC Parking Lot
8867 161st Ave NE, Redmond

For safety, please remain in your vehicle.

Heat Pump WEbiNars

JUly 27 and SEPTEMBER 13

Heat pumps are an energy efficient way to heat and cool your home at a lower cost than traditional heating systems. Energy Smart Eastside supports your switch to heat pumps by offering educational workshops and program-exclusive incentives.

energysmarteastside.org

National Night Out

August 1

National Night Out is back for 2023!

Join us for a night out against crime Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Gather with your neighbors for an evening of fun while rediscovering your own community. Games and BBQs are great ways to celebrate and focus on police-community partnerships for safer neighborhoods.

Staff from Redmond Police, Redmond Fire, and elected City officials will make every effort to stop by and visit with you and your neighbors.

Learn more and register at
redmond.gov/613/National-Night-Out.

Rockin' on the River

August 2 | August 9 | August 16

This free concert series takes place Wednesday evenings in August on City Hall municipal campus. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy cover bands on the lawn on Aug. 2, 9, and 16.

redmond.gov/Events

Downtown Redmond
Art walk

August 17

The inaugural Downtown Redmond Art Walk will highlight Redmond’s local artists and Downtown businesses on Thursday, Aug. 17. Visit local businesses to engage with unique art and enjoy performances and interactive art demonstrations at Downtown Park.

redmond.gov/DRAW

Big Truck Day

August 18

Get up close and personal with the trucks, tractors, construction equipment, and other unique vehicles that work in our community! Families with children ages 1-10 can sign up to spend the afternoon of Aug. 18 at Farrel-McWhirter Park, engaging with these unique vehicles and machines and learning how they serve the Redmond community.

Pre-registration is encouraged.

redmond.gov/Events

Discover fun things to do in Summer 2023 throughout Redmond! From summer camps and events to exploring the pristine parks and trails and enjoying outdoor dining, there is something fun for everyone during a Redmond summer.

redmond.gov/Summers

Throughout the summer, Redmond 2050 staff will host community conversations related to Marymoor Village, Southeast Redmond, Downtown, commercial uses in residential neighborhoods, and more. These topics touch every part of Redmond, so community input is vital to preparing these updates. Stay connected and get involved in the numerous opportunities around the City.

redmond.gov/Redmond2050

Play, stay, explore, eat, and sip local!

Find a community events calendar and business and activity directory at ExperienceRedmond.com.

experienceredmond.com

See Inside Redmond's Drinking Water

City staff work daily to provide safe, reliable drinking water to all Redmond residents and businesses. Redmond’s water comes from the Tolt Reservoir or groundwater, depending on where you are in the City. Seattle Public Utilities treats Tolt River water, while the groundwater is treated onsite by Redmond staff using the latest technology, including aeration towers, to adjust pH. Redmond tests the water daily for pH, chlorine, fluoride, and temperature. The annual Water Quality Report provides the most recent year’s-worth of water quality data and is a resource for customers to learn more about their water.

Learn more about water quality and access the 2023 Water Quality Report

Beautiful Yards Start with Smart Watering

Summer is here with hotter and drier weather. Follow these tips to maintain lush, healthy landscaping.

Fix leaks in your automatic in-ground sprinkler system to save precious water and money.
- Turn on your sprinkler system and observe each zone in operation.
- Find and fix leaks, broken lines, misaligned spray heads, overspray onto pavement, and vegetation blocking sprinkler heads.
Check to make sure your automatic irrigation system is equipped with a rain sensor shut-off to save money and prevent overwatering.
Learn how to set a sprinkler schedule at redmond.gov/SprinklerSchedule.
Cover bare soil in planting beds with a few inches of mulch to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and insulate soil temperatures from hot or cold extremes.
Keep an eye on the weather and check your soil. Take a spade or shovel and dig five to six inches into the soil. If it’s still moist, you don’t need to water.

Redmond’s water resources are limited. Summers in Western Washington are hotter and drier than historical averages. Working together, we can ensure that there’s plenty of water to meet our needs for our yards and across our community. Remember that irrigation water and drinking water come from the same source, so use water wisely.

Did you know?
The dry months of July, August, and September accounted for more than 38% of the total water used by Redmond customers in 2022.

View natural yard care tips

Move the slider left and right to show the construction process over the top of the rendering.

The Redmond Senior & Community Center is making steady progress toward its anticipated opening in May 2024. Designed to cater to the diverse needs of the community, the facility promises to be a vibrant hub for residents of all ages.

The design process was a collaborative approach to engage numerous voices. Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Zach Houvener explained, “We gathered stakeholder and community feedback to ensure all of the amenities were something that our entire community would enjoy.” This process resulted in a comprehensive vision to ensure all of Redmond’s diverse communities feel welcome and included throughout the entire facility. Houvener highlighted some of the standout features that are integrated into the center. “I’m incredibly excited to see the active recreation spaces, Community Room, and the sustainability measures that were selected for their resilience and durability,” he shared.

The inclusion of an indoor, elevated walk/jog track, as well as a covered area suitable for year-round use, promises to make the center an inviting space for community members to stay active regardless of the weather.

Recreation Manager Amanda Deml underscored the significance of the dedicated senior spaces. “The senior lounge and library will provide a home for seniors to gather, learn, and celebrate,” Deml stated. “I anticipate the senior spaces to be bustling with folks grabbing a cup of coffee, participating in a class, or utilizing the library.” Deml also highlighted the anticipated impact of the Community Room. “We look forward to offering a space equipped to hold large gatherings, celebrations, and events,” she said.

As the construction progresses, staff are actively working on developing an array of programs and services to be offered at the center. Deml explained, "We have gathered a great deal of feedback from the community on their needs and wishes, and we will incorporate many of the valuable programs and services that occurred in the former Senior Center."

Looking ahead, the facility is poised to become a dynamic and multi-generational hub where people can gather to foster social connections, engage in lifelong learning, and celebrate community spirit.

"This center aims to bring people from diverse backgrounds and age groups together, bridging gaps and encouraging a sense of belonging among all members of our community."

- Zach Houvener,
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation

RSCC Exterior Construction 2_Story Image

Follow the project's progress

Creating Livability Through Housing Choices and Amenities

Overlake’s Newest Neighborhood Set for Completion This Summer

The new Esterra Park development in Overlake exemplifies Redmond’s vision for creating complete and equitable neighborhoods – places that promote density, walkability, housing options, and open space in a transit-supported environment. The community master plan began in 2009 and includes the upcoming arrival of light rail nearby.

“Real thought and effort have gone into the whole design and layout, and the feeling you get is one of ‘home,’” said Mia van Wyk, a resident of Esterra Park. “I love the contemporary aesthetic, with all the little attention to detail from art to the use of light, as it all contributes to the collective.”

Private and public partnerships were key in creating the community, which offers a mix of both market rate and affordable housing options. The design prioritized sustainability, creating accessibility through ADA design, and multi-modal transportation options that provide access to daily needs, childcare, and a range of social services. Other essential elements of this new neighborhood include an urban park and outdoor event space, restaurants, and more.

2,600

Residential Units

283

Hotel Rooms

25,000

Square Feet of Retail Space

250,000

SQUARE FEET OF Office SPACE

2.67-acre

Urban Park

33,000

Trees, bushes, and shrubs
planted Throughout the city

Read the Esterra Park story

To address the growing need for spaces where pets can exercise and socialize, the City recently unveiled its first pop-up dog park at Luke McRedmond Park in Downtown Redmond, chosen for its close proximity to housing, parking, bus routes, and trails. The temporary park will be open until September and aims to gauge community needs and preferences for a more permanent off-leash dog area.

Ally Ford and Alex Weininger, accompanied by their one-year-old dog Bo, visit the park two to three times daily.

"We live in an apartment, so this is exciting because it is only a short walk. It's important for Bo to socialize, and her favorite thing is she gets to go all the time since we live so close."

- Ally Ford, accompanied by her dog Bo,
visits the park daily

With its convenient location, areas for small and large dogs, and a welcoming atmosphere, the park provides a valuable opportunity for pets to socialize and exercise, while fostering a sense of community among their owners.

"We can walk here, which is why it's awesome. All the dogs she meets on the trail, she gets to meet in the park. And she's finally learned how to play fetch!"

- Hope Atkins, accompanied by her dog Mason,
frequents the park multiple times daily