The City of Redmond recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the much anticipated Centennial Park in downtown Redmond.
The ceremony took place at the Centennial Park site located on Evergreen Avenue between Seventh and Eighth Streets, directly across from City Hall.
Redmond Mayor George Endicott was joined by members of the Redmond City Council, City staff, construction contractors Kirby Nagelhout, and community stakeholders to welcome the start of a new city center park in downtown Redmond.
The City of Redmond has been working towards a new city center park since 1995, when it was identified as a priority project in the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan to help revitalize downtown Redmond and provide a gathering place for the community in the heart of Redmond.
Centennial Park is designed to function as a city center park with accommodations for community gatherings, such as the Farmer’s Market, music events, etc., as well as day-to-day activities such as relaxing, eating, and playing in downtown Redmond.
The design includes open grassy areas, shade trees, a water feature for children, performance space, a pagoda with shade trellis and outdoor fireplace, space for a café vendor, public art, and ample space for outdoor markets and festivities. Centennial Park is funded by downtown urban renewal funds which can only be spent on downtown projects identified in the Downtown Urban Renewal Plan.
“We have several downtown urban renewal projects that we are ‘rolling out’ this summer in Redmond, and are delighted that we are in a position where we can provide some significant work for Central Oregon contractors during this economic downturn,” explained Heather Richards, interim community development director and urban renewal project manager. These projects have been in the planning stages for many years, and we are thankful that not only will they provide a long-term economic stimulus for downtown Redmond and the community of Redmond, but they are also providing much needed jobs for our community during a time of historic unemployment.”
All construction will be completed by May 2010 in time for Redmond’s Centennial Celebration on July 6, 2010.
