The City of Redmond’s Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap to Redmond’s future. In 2004 and 2005, the residents created a vision for Redmond that now guides the City in making clear and responsible choices designed to enhance Redmond’s status as a complete regional city.

A vital portion of the vision in the Comprehensive Plan is the measured development of two urban centers, one in Downtown and the other in Overlake. With this knowledge, Mayor Marchione took office in 2008 with a very clear vision.

Create a city with two vibrant urban centers and connected neighborhoods, while providing high quality, responsive services to an engaged community.

Currently both Downtown and Overlake have several projects under construction, each one moving Redmond closer to this stated vision. To keep residents and business owners informed of these and future changes, the City developed a multi-level communication program – Redmond – Creating Choice ~ Connecting Community.

By Creating Choice, Redmond will realize its goal of becoming a complete community. Downtown and Overlake will become vibrant urban centers with a variety of dining, shopping, recreating and living options. Downtown is beginning to provide condominiums and apartments designed and priced for singles and empty-nesters and the plan for Overlake is to provide a positive environment for development of mixed-use housing suitable for urban professionals. Throughout these changes, the city’s single-family neighborhoods continue to provide options for those who wish to have more space including a yard.

Connecting Community points towards the City’s vision for mobility options in Redmond. Residents want safe and improved options for moving throughout the city whether the choice is walking, bicycling, transit or automobiles. But connecting community speaks deeper than transportation; it also reflects the idea of people connecting with each other. Both Downtown and Overlake will include places where people can gather to enjoy concerts or events. More intimate spaces, such as sidewalk cafes, pocket parks or attractive resting places will allow for smaller gatherings with family and friends.

Communication Program
This program uses signage to identify private and public construction sites in Downtown and Overlake. From the information on these signs, residents, business owners and visitors learn where details on a specific project can be found on the City’s website

The website gives information on the project’s location, status, schedule and contacts and provides a short description. Video clips are also provided to give citizens a “behind the scenes” look at the construction in progress.

As more projects begin, they will be added to the website. Through this process, citizens can learn what is happening to their city and who to contact for more information.

Future Vision for Downtown
Edited from the Redmond Comprehensive Plan – 2006

Downtown is an outstanding place to work, shop, live and recreate and is a destination for many in Redmond and the region.  Attractive offices, stores, services and residential developments have contributed to a new level of vibrancy while retaining a small-town feel that appeals to residents and visitors alike.  Many more people live in Downtown, and housing choices include a significant share of moderately priced residences. 

Various portions of Downtown have their own identity, design and appeal yet it is easy to walk, bicycle, use transit or drive between them.  While pedestrian and bicycle access are emphasized, Downtown also provides for vehicular access and those who wish to drive through have other preferred routes to use.

Old Town thrives as a focus for retail activity that attracts pedestrians, providing a distinctive selection of stores, restaurants, boutiques and theater, as well as varied housing.  New buildings blend with refurbished ones, retaining the area’s historic character.  Cleveland Street is a pleasant place to walk or sit and people fill the street during the day and evening.  Large open spaces, such as the Sammamish River and Bear Creek, as well as abundant landscaping, parks and other gathering places, create a sense of Downtown as an urban place within a rich natural environment. 

Future Vision for Overlake
Edited from the Redmond Comprehensive Plan – 2006

Overlake is recognized as a regional urban center where internationally known companies, corporate headquarters, high technology research and development firms and many other businesses are located. 

While intensively and efficiently developed, the employment areas retain their campus-like feel due to attractive landscaping and the protection of significant trees and other important natural features.  Redevelopment of the area in the southernmost part of Overlake – Overlake Village – has brought retail storefronts closer to the street and improvements to streetscapes reflecting the green character of Redmond.  The area is now hospitable to transit, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

This portion of Overlake has also become much more diverse, both in features and workforce.  Small neighborhoods with a mix of housing, small-scale shopping and services serve employees and residents while connecting to a network of parks, sidewalks and trails.  In many ways Overlake demonstrates that high technology can thrive in a balanced urban setting that offers opportunities to live, work, shop and recreate.