Will parking lots ‘rescue’ Mirror Pond?

One of downtown Bend’s most prime views is also prime parking — for now, at least.

“When I come downtown, my go-to spot is over by the Crow’s Feet Commons,” Bend resident Court Leve said Monday.

All those go-to spots could eventually go away. A new proposal released Friday by Bend’s Mirror Pond Ad Hoc Committee calls for removing the two Mirror Pond parking lots — 169 spaces that would give way to new development for retail, restaurants and housing.

The plan says the revenue generated from the development would be spent tearing down the Pacific Power hydro dam and installing a new water impoundment to nearly maintain the historic levels of Mirror Pond that has made the area an icon of Bend.

The committee has been working on solutions for years to deal with the pond’s silt-filled waters that need dredging every few decades.

Although cost estimates have not yet been released, Bend Parks and Rec and city officials say they think developing the valuable waterfront will pay for the work, and that part of the project would involve replacing the lost spaces.

Some lot users said the easy access to both Drake Park and downtown is more valuable.

“I think it’s a terrible thing that these parking spots down here by the river will be gone,” said Bend resident Jared Rettig.

Other frequenters of the parking spaces said a new use of the space would be nice.

“I think it would be nice to have more businesses and stuff right in this particular area,” said Redmond resident Brad Pitts.

The proposal has lots of supporters and critics in its early stages, but there’s one area where everyone seems to agree: the lots will need to be replaced.

“We are very adamant that that parking gets taken care of, as far as capacity before the Mirror Pond parking lots are removed, that we have a plan for a new facility somewhere else it downtown,” said Downtown Bend Business Association Executive Director Chuck Arnold.

Crow’s Feet Commons business owner David Marchi has mixed feelings.
He said he wants to hear more from both project leaders and the community.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Marchi said. “We need to make sure people are going to value it. We need to take a better scope to why this area is special to Bend.”

There’s still lots of time to ponder both parking and the pond. Community leaders have said any changes to the area are years away.

You can learn more about the proposal and how you can share your thoughts at mirrorpondbend.com .