Changes coming to downtown Redmond

Redmond has seen many changes and a lot of growth over recent years, and the city is working to make the downtown area the economic center of the city.

Chuck Arnold, the city’s urban renewal manager, said Wednesday city officials would like to make downtown a place where people like to gather.

Arnold said they would like downtown to be vibrant and in use 18 to 24 hours out of the day.

He said with that, local business will be able to thrive and in turn, the Redmond economy can keep growing stronger.

“When your dollars are invested locally, they kind of multiply through the economy better,” Arnold said. “So it’s really about supporting those local people and your neighbors, and it gives you a better opportunity for those dollars to stay local in a community.”

Arnold mentioned many projects that are helping to revitalize the downtown area, such as the remodeling of the historic New Redmond Hotel.

The Odem Theater downtown is being redone as well, and Centennial Park is set to expand next year, along with new restaurants and brewpubs coming to town.

Redmond is also working to provide safer commute options in the downtown area by introducing quiet streets. A new transit hub opens soon.

The idea is to keep people safe while they ride bikes through the city to stay safe.

On Deschutes Avenue, the first safe bike crossings have been created, with green paint in the intersections.

Scott Woodford, senior planner for the city, said he and other staff members got the idea from Portland after taking a bike design course there.

Woodford said the idea is to give everyone a safe alternative to driving a car.

Bike routes are being created “so that we can provide everybody, with in a short distance of where they live, (access) to schools, parks, downtown,” Woodford said. “Just to get people out biking more, and to take a little stress off the streets.”

Right now, the green bike crossings are only in place on Deschutes Avenue. Woodford said they hope to add more quiet streets, if the first is successful.

And Redmond is also hosting an Open Streets event this Saturday, to encourage people to use different transportation options.

Arnold said the idea is to bring new ideas into the city to create a downtown area that can blossom.

The goal is a city that’s “safe, that it’s well connected,” Arnold said. “You can get around on bikes, foot, bus, car. You have the ability to have a diverse experience of places to eat and drink and shop and stay.”

Arnold added that local business is one of the biggest factors in creating a vibrant downtown,, and the regional airport being in town has also helped to attract businesses to the city.