Redmond Central Connector: Art Walk Planned, Parking Lot Approved

The City of Redmond will host an art walk event next Thursday, May 24, featuring John Fleming, the artist who has been selected to create works along the new Redmond Central Connector trail and linear park.

The walk begins at 5:30 p.m. at the mixed-use development located at 8102 161st Ave. NE. From there, participants will depart on a mile-long walk featuring example's of Fleming's work. 

In addition to Fleming, the walk will also be led by Redmond Mayor John Marchione, City of Redmond Parks Director Craig Larsen and Principal Partner Guy Michaelsen of the Berger Partnership. The tour will return to the Veloce for an arts reception with light refreshments and music by Seattle band The LongShots.

The free event is sponsored by Feet First, a non-profit organization that advocates for walkable communities in Washington State. Advance registration is required online at  http://feet-first.ticketleap.com/walkandtalk-in-redmond/.

For more information about the walking tour, contact Carolyn Hope at chope@redmond.gov or 425-556-2312.

City council approves parking lot plans

In related news, the Redmond City Council unanimously approved plans Tuesday to construct a 92-stall long-term parking lot for the Redmond Central Connector at the northwest corner of Leary Way and Bear Creek Parkway (see attached PDF).

The parking lot, which will sit on empty space already owned by the city, will be built under a two-year conditional use permit. Officials said the city's use of the space is likely to change as development of the Redmond Central Connector and other downtown projects progresses.

"The longterm vision tor the site includes eventual development of a higher and better use, such as a performing arts center," city staff wrote in a memo to the Redmond City Council.

The payment structure for the parking lot is still being developed, but Erika Vandenbrande, Redmond's economic development manager, said the most consistent proposal so far is to offer free parking for the first hour or two with a required payment for longer-term parking. The total rate for a day of parking is likely to be around $3 to $5, Vandenbrande said.

Council Vice President Hank Margeson said he thinks the parking lot plans will have an immediate benefit for downtown visitors and businesses while giving city officials flexibility when determining future uses for the space.

“One of the things that we’ve talked about in downtown is a need for some parking, and this is an opportunity to capture an area that is essentially open right now for this use,” Margeson said.

Construction of the parking lot is expected to take place in conjunction with construction of the Redmond Central Connector, which is set to begin later this year.