Plans for new apartment complex at Bend Westside roundabout concerns neighbors

(Update: Comments from architect; correcting project details)

297-unit multifamily apartment complex sparks debate

BEND, Ore., (KTVZ) -- Mill Creek residential plans to develop a new 297-unit multifamily apartment complex called Modera Century West at the Century Drive/Reed Market Road/Mount Bachelor Drive roundabout on Bend's Westside.

The proposed apartments will be in two buildings, each at five stories over ground-level parking.

BLRB Architects recently hosted a virtual meeting to answer questions from the public.

The principal architect of the project said they're presently in the process of obtaining permits.

Some Bendites have expressed support for the development, seeing it as an effort to help resolve the housing crisis by adding to the supply.

Jim Roberts is one resident who said Tuesday, though prices are high, things will eventually balance out.

“We’re at a point where if we don’t build any more housing, or if we keep fighting to build housing, the prices are going to spike even worse than they are now,” Roberts said. “So the more we build, the more temperate the market will become.”

But the development also has gained considerable opposition, with many questions centered around affordability and traffic.

Lisa Muschel, chair of the Century West Neighborhood Association, said the apartment complex is just one of many housing projects in that area, and most of them, including Modera Century West, are not affordable housing.

"When we see 'market-rate,' what we can expect is for a one-bedroom apartment, it’s going to be at least $1,500, maybe $1,800 a month, if not closer to $2,000," Muschel said. "That’s not the affordability factor that we’re all looking for.”

Based on its location, some community members are concerned about traffic congestion, especially in the case of an emergency. A few nearby residents, one of which lives in the Touchmark community, have told NewsChannel 21 there's virtually no parking in the area. When tenants move in and have visitors, they said that will be a problem because the parking will start to overflow in various other nearby parking lots.

“We’re concerned about additional traffic impacts to this area," Muschel said. "We all recognize that Reed Market is a real sore spot. Basically, (with) three to four of the westside neighborhood associations, there are approximately 3,000 units being proposed for development. If we have that many units in a real short amount of time, without doing something with regard to traffic and parking, we’re all going to be in a world of hurt.” 

Roberts, however, said he’s not worried about a few more cars on the road. 

“Our traffic problems are negligible,” he said. “Compared to most cites this size, we have done a marvelous job of mitigating it. This specific location, Reed Market, is a problem, but it doesn’t fail. It isn’t a road that you can't go through at any time during the day.”

Muschel encouraged more people to stay informed with the development codes in Bend so they can have a say in how the city grows.