Recently I delivered a State of the City address at a Redmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon. The presentation was recorded and is available On-Demand posted to the City’s website. Here are the key points of the talk.

From the 5,000 foot view, Redmond is doing very well compared to our immediate neighbors and to the rest of the nation. We are living within our budget with no decrease in service delivery. The City continues with several initiatives set forth through our budgeting process – improving customer service and the permitting process, implementing permanent savings through innovative practices and managing our business better through
performance measures. Although revenues are down 6% for the two-year budget cycle, departments have created efficiencies and spent their resources wisely to finish 8% better than budget.

Redmond is channeling its growth into our two urban centers. Our infrastructure investments in downtown include completing the Bear Creek Parkway and starting soon, extending 161st south to connect to the Parkway, creating greater mobility for all. Eventually we will remove the one-way traffic system and return Redmond Way and Cleveland to two-way flow. Already downtown is becoming much more walkable with retail on the first floor and apartments or condominiums above. Work continues on purchasing land for Central Square Park in the heart of downtown. The Park will provide a pleasant place to gather, listen to music or just relax.