A summertime survey about Redmond’s Bear Creek Neighborhood revealed that reliable transportation, safety and sustainability are among residents’ top priorities, looking 20 or more years ahead.
Though the survey is now closed, City of Redmond planners invite citizens to help redefine and rank the neighborhood’s future characteristics. A Bear Creek Neighborhood Vision event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St. To RSVP, call (425) 556-2440 or e-mail dharold@redmond.gov by Sept. 21.
The Bear Creek neighborhood is located between Union Hill and Avondale Roads, including the Millennium office campus and extending north to Fairwinds Redmond retirement community and Perrigo Park.
“Bear Creek does go through the middle,” added Jeff Churchill, senior planner for the project.
The survey’s initial question asked citizens to weigh in on four topics that are not currently addressed in the Bear Creek neighborhood vision statement: industry and commerce; livability of the area; transportation; and development in surrounding areas. Participants were asked to rank these topics in order of importance, with 1 meaning most important and 4 meaning least important. A total of 66 people took the survey and transportation was deemed most important by 13 of 34 respondents to this question.
In addition to questions asking people to rank specific features, the survey included several open-ended questions.
Words used to describe their vision for future land use in the Bear Creek area included everything from “open,” “country” and “bike-friendly” to “multiple uses,” “industry-friendly” and “more shopping.”
Words related to transportation needs and wants included “frequent,” “hub,” “better police presence and speed control” and “walkable.” However, at the opposite extreme, someone requested “no red lights.”
Among words used to envision future economic activity in the Bear Creek area, some participants liked the ideas of “local family businesses that serve the community,” “low taxes for small businesses” and others preferred “retail chains” and “restaurant chains.”
Thoughts on future housing were mixed, too. Some wanted “expensive,” others “less expensive.” Others said “kid-friendly, “not crowded” or “no more Trilogies or Redmond Ridge.”
On the subject of parks and recreation in the Bear Creek neighborhood, responses ranged from “open and left undisturbed” to “award-winning” and “popular.”
In conclusion, the survey queried, “What are other important aspects of your vision for the Bear Creek neighborhood?”
A few answers were short and straightforward, such as “keep it friendly” or “peaceful.”
Others were somewhat cryptic: “I would like to see some new commercial shopping like a Costco, Sam’s Club, a Best Buy, etc. No Walmart, though.”
Churchill said next week’s event will include an introduction and breakout sessions with small groups, depending on how many people participate. If you can’t attend, but have questions or input, contact Jeff Churchill at (425) 556-2492 or jchurchill@redmond.gov.
