Business as usual, and then some in downtown Redmond

The city of Redmond has been working hard to revitalize its downtown, and it seems to be paying off.

Lance Howard recently moved his clock business there.

“I opened up in Bend in 2009, and moved here two months ago,” Howard said Wednesday.

Central Oregon Clocks is now open. “The availability of space in Bend is not good, and the prices are a little higher than Redmond,” Howard said.

Chuck Arnold, the city’s economic development manager, said there’s been lots of interest in the area.

“We’re seeing a reflection, and uptick in the economy, and we’re seeing that on a local level, he said. “There’s a lot of new investment coming in Redmond. We’re particularly excited about a number of new small businesses coming into downtown.”

One project is the renovation of the Odem Theater, turning it into a theater pub, set to open this summer. Other buildings sitting empty will be filled.

“We’ve had a long-standing vacancy on the Parr Lumber building on Fifth Street at Evergreen Avenue, and that is now going to be Elemar Oregon, which is a tile and stone dealer,” Arnold said.

The city’s work to improve the area had spanned more than two decades.

“The city has spent a lot of time and energy on revitalization programs,” said Eric Sande, executive director of the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. “They’ve put in new sidewalks, new streets. It’s a beautiful, attractive downtown, and so I think people are seeing there’s an opportunity here, and they’re taking advantage of that.”

More additions include a heating and cooling company, several restaurants and a tap house.

What stores would you like to see come to downtown Bend? We offer some options in our new KTVZ.COM Poll, halfway down the right side of our home page.