Redmond City Council voted unanimously to direct staff to move forward with planning and acquiring the land for the Downtown Central Park at its Dec. 15 meeting, the final council gathering of 2009. The vote was 6-0 in favor, with Councilmember Pat Vache in Hawaii, according to retiring council president Nancy McCormick.

The approved site is located between Cleveland Street and Redmond Way and bounded to the west by the proposed 161st Street extension and to the east by the historic Stone House property.

At the same meeting, retiring six-term Councilmember Nancy McCormick handed Mayor John Marchione a donation check for the new park project.

McCormick has always been a strong supporter of a downtown park and said she was very pleased to see it approved while she was still on the council. McCormick declined to disclose the amount of the donation.

“During my farewell comments, I charged each councilmember with an issue, and for the mayor I said, ‘I wish you and Jeni Craswell (leader of a new Redmond Foundation) $10 million for the Downtown Central Park’ and slid the check to him,” McCormick said. “I wanted to start the ball rolling as it is private, not city, funding that will pay for the construction of the park. At least that is the plan.”

This site, which is approximately two acres, was selected from five possible locations, using a set of criteria established to enhance the downtown, encourage economic growth and provide easy transportation opportunities including walking, biking and public transit.

Two public meetings were held in the summer where discussion centered on several major themes:

• Recognize that park users would live downtown now and in the future;

• Preserve the “Old Town” center of Redmond;

• Develop a trail and pedestrian system connecting downtown with regional trails;

• Locate the park near a Transit Center;

• Address downtown parking issues;

• Match the scale of the park and neighborhood with appropriate special events and

• Relocate existing businesses.

The chosen site is compatible with many of these themes, according to Marchione. It is close to transit service and has many opportunities for pedestrian access. It is a short walk to Redmond Town Center, Slough Park and the Sammamish River Trail. The site is also close to the many high density mixed-use developments occurring along the Cleveland Street and Redmond Way corridors. The site does not impede on adjacent historical buildings and, in fact will highlight these buildings through additional exposure.

The Downtown Central Park will enhance the experience of downtown residents, most of who will walk or bike to the park, Marchione said, adding that additional parking will be provided along Redmond Way and Cleveland Street after they are both returned to two-way streets.

“The new Downtown Central Park will provide a destination for downtown residents and workers, strengthening neighborhood connections and reinforcing the historic ‘heart’ of Redmond,” Marchione said. “It will become downtown Redmond’s living room; a place filled with life and activity that celebrates Redmond’s past, present and future.”

McCormick agreed.

“I began supporting a downtown park about 20 years ago. My preferred site for many years was the Metro Park and Ride lot which we could have purchased for the amount Metro had paid for the property — a quirky Federal law, I believe. Downtown is a neighborhood of its own and the citizens living there will need open space and there will be many more living in downtown in a few short years. In addition, great cities, regardless of size, do have an outstanding downtown park for all citizens to enjoy. I can picture many community events occurring at this park in the future years.”