(The new Redmond Library “has increased the area’s vibrancy and diversity,” says Chuck Arnold, urban renewal program manager | Photo by Andrea Hine)
“Redmond is trying to make sure that we’re ready for continued growth in the most graceful way we can,” said Chuck Arnold, urban renewal program manager, “and giving a lot of thought on how best to prepare for it.”
While the city’s population increased more than 38.8% (10,000 people) since 2015. Portland State University’s population research center estimates that this figure will burgeon from almost 38,000 in 2024 to around 60,000 by 2047. Or as Arnold put it, “Redmond’s growth rate is close to a family of three +moving in every single day, or 1,000 people a year.”
While acknowledging that “it’s a good thing to be in a healthy, growing city,” City Manager Keith Witcosky acknowledged that with this growth come planning challenges such as affordable housing and transportation improvements.
“Fortunately,” he said, “the mindset of our seven-member city council is to be as proactive as possible. And they’re willing to take calculated risks. Aiding this mindset is the fact that Redmond is smaller in size, which makes it easier to get decisions made. We can move faster.”
“Redmond still has the opportunity to be nimble as it matures and evolves,” agreed Arnold, “and there are many great things happening here.” Among them:
Developer Incentive Leads to 470 Fir Apartments
“We’re really proud of the 470 Fir multifamily development — a new apartment building at 470 NW Fir and 5th St. with nine units, each featuring a two-bedroom, two-bath layout,” Arnold said. “The City of Redmond purchased the vacant land and offered to deed it to the developer Timbergon Inc. as an incentive. This partnership exemplifies the private sector stepping in to invest in the community.
Derelict Motel Converted to Affordable Workplace Housing
Another example of a public-private partnership in support the city’s ongoing downtown revitalization efforts is the conversion of the former Village Squire Motel into The Nova — which consists of 24 studio apartments with amenities including small kitchens, on-site laundry, security, and a gym.
According to Jeff Lundin with Watson Development, the property developer, all units will be priced intentionally so that those earning 80% of the area’s median income can afford them.
The City of Redmond’s Urban Renewal Agency granted $75,000 in SDC credits to the project, which were applied toward the former motel’s rehabilitation. “Moving forward, we’re committed to ensuring these units will be offered at an attainable rental price for local workers,” Lundin said.
“Now more than ever, housing availability determines the kinds of businesses and jobs we can sustain in our community,” said Arnold. “By investing in projects that preserve and enhance Redmond’s downtown, we’re also investing in our local businesses. Projects like The Nova will help Redmond employers attract and retain talent.”
Redmond Landing & Cinder Hollow Affordable Housing Projects
Two major housing projects — totaling 180 new units — are in the works for Redmond. One project, known as Redmond Landing, will be built by Washington State-based developer Vaughn Bay Construction on nine acres at 1850 SW Umatilla Avenue, just west of U.S. Highway 97 and between the Bi-Mart store and the Best Western. It will include 156 rental units limited to residents making 60% of area median income.
The second, called Cinder Hollow, will be the fourth Redmond project led by Rooted Homes, a Bend-based nonprofit (formerly known as Kor Community Land Trust) dedicated to affordable housing.
Enhancing Downtown’s Vibrancy with New Library & Year-Round Ice Rink
Open since January, the new 40,000-square-foot Redmond Library “has increased the area’s vibrancy and diversity, and led to more feet on the street,” said Arnold. “We’re very happy that the facility stayed downtown.” It has, in the words of Deschutes Public Library Director Todd Dunkelberg, “quickly become a cornerstone for the community.”
And in the same way that “energy of the new library overflows” onto surrounding streets, to quote Arnold, an envisioned ice rink will help draw people downtown and increase “the fun things to do” there.
The subject of multiple discussions to ensure both its financial viability and appropriate scale, the proposed ice rink will be located on the former site of the Redmond police station (which moved to a larger facility in August). “In winter, it will serve as an ice rink, and in non-winter months, it will function as a different type of outdoor amenity (still being determined),” Arnold said.
To be used year-round, the facility, “will be both permanent and flexible — a boutique asset,” he explained. Vastly different from huge, expensive-to-build venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York or The Forum in Los Angeles, the venue “has been scaled down to a practical level consistent with other downtown Redmond attractions.”
And as City Council “is sensitive to budget concerns,” the project’s price tag is a relatively modest $4-6M, with its operational date slated for late 2027,” Arnold noted.
Red-Light Cameras to Be Installed
“The Council considers safety among its top priorities,” emphasized Witcosky, “and plans to set up red-light cameras — an example of photo radar that enforces both red light running and speeding — in early 2026. Let’s face it, you can’t station a cop at every corner.”
Initial plans call for three to four cameras in high traffic areas, school zones, or where a higher incidence of crashes occur. Oregon cities already using red-light cameras include Portland, Beaverton, Salem, and Tigard, while Bend will launch them at three locations in January 2026.
Eastside Arterial Project Milestone
Redmond’s Eastside Arterial Project — a multi-phase transportation improvement initiative to reduce eastside congestion by providing alternatives to U.S. 97 — has reached a significant milestone with the opening of the third leg of the new roundabout at NE Ninth Street and OR 126, allowing for traffic flow on NE Ninth Street to the north. This follows the recent opening of the first two legs for traffic on OR 126 between Redmond and Prineville.
The final leg, connecting to the newly constructed road south of the roundabout, will open in 2026-2028 upon completion of the adjacent roundabout near the airport.
