Creating Choice in Redmond
I grew up in Redmond. It’s my home and I love it, but I must admit when I was younger there were times I did not have much to do. Back then Redmond did not have a downtown with lots of choices in shopping or entertainment. Going to downtown meant going to Seattle.

As Mayor, my vision for Redmond is to create a complete city. One thing a complete city has is choice – choice in services, shopping, dining and entertainment as well as choice in housing and transportation.

Transportation and mobility choices have grown over the last few years and will continue to do so. The opening of the new Bear Creek Parkway in late July is one example of providing drivers with choices when travelling through Downtown. The new Downtown Transit Center provides residents and commuters better access to transit. We will also continue to add bike lanes; thereby, expanding the routes safely accessible to bicycle commuters and by working with Sound Transit, we are moving one step closer to making high capacity transit a reality between Overlake and Downtown Redmond.

Housing choices are being developed in a variety of neighborhoods throughout Redmond but perhaps the most dramatic is in Downtown, which has taken on a new level of vibrancy.  Very soon, many more people will live downtown in a mix of apartments and condominiums that include a variety of pricing options.

Downtown is also experiencing a commercial rebirth.  All new housing is built with ground-floor retail space.  New restaurants, shops and services provide residents and visitors with more entertainment choices.