State of the City: Mayor says Bend is ‘good’
Transportation, affordable housing, and modernizing the local government were among the key topics discussed at the State of the City panel discussion Tuesday night in Bend. The mayor said the city is doing well, despite the challenges.
The city also hopes to focus on expanding transit routes to help people go around the center of town, prioritize land use, and propose a city charter amendment to voters.
‘I think the biggest challenge is incorporating the demands growth puts on the community and maintaining livability and character of our existing city,” said Mayor Casey Roats. “It’s going to be challenging and we will have decision points along the way, but it’s trying to accommodate the growth because it’s coming and no one can stop it.”
The panelists also included Development Services Director Russell Grayson and Assistant City Manager Jon Skidmore.
They said the city budget is a balancing act. Roads need updating, single and multi-family homes need to be built, and public safety services need to keep up with that growth. Money has come from the development community and state and federal resources, but much of that money has been already allocated to services and projects.
“That’s a question for the community and that we will have to ask, Grayson said. “There is no magic bucket of money sitting anywhere for us to just dip into, and the price tag is pretty high.”
Grayson said growth will happen and comprehensive plans with land use permits and the new urban growth boundary will help prioritize where buildings and roads need to go. Skidmore said the city has been heavily focused on planning for water needs, then sewer — and now the city’s investing in transportation.
Many business owners attended the event and one guest said this conversation is extremely timely because growth won’t stop, no matter what some may want.
“In the real estate community, we have a lack of inventory right now, and we have folks who need homes,” said Central Oregon Realtors Association Government Affairs Director Tyler Neese. “We don’t have the homes to provide, especially in certain price ranges.”
The panelists said it’s a critical time for the public to be involved in city processes and to remember the big picture. There’s always room for improvement, but the city is doing alright.
