Employment Vision
Redmond's Comprehensive Plan encourages employment growth in Downtown, Overlake, the Willows area and SE Redmond. A healthy economy provides jobs and other economic needs for residents and can contribute to a high quality of life for the community. Among the keys to a healthy economy are zoning that accommodates a variety of jobs in the community, housing choices for people who work in the community and adequate facilities and services that include an efficient transportation system.
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Issues in 2001
- Improve the balance of new housing to new jobs to help shorten commutes
- Evaluate whether the rate of new nonresidential development should be paced
- Determine appropriate amount of commercial development to accommodate through 2020
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Status 2011
- Microsoft Development Agreement provides predictable development of campus and associated job growth
- Designated Overlake neighborhood as a Regional Growth Center and Urban Center
- Current jobs in Redmond stand at 91,000
- Created Economic Development Alliance (partnership between business and government) to assist in retaining and attracting business
In 2001, a large empty lot in SE Redmond was a close neighbor to the current Target store.
Today, on that lot stands Home Depot and Fred Meyer, bringing diversity to Redmond's retail mix and employment options.