Bend Current, Newsletter for the Community, November 2024

(Photo credit: Doug Hauck 2024)

Leafing Fall Behind

Official winter may still be three weeks away, but the Mt. Bachelor snow stake camera already captured one its winter boons: a glimpse of a wild fox and the paw prints it left behind. This edition of the Bend Current is packed with information related to transportation, including a link to the brand-new Transportation Data Hub. We have multiple ways for you to engage this month (many from the comfort of your couch or a library computer), such as an invitation to review the City of Bend’s new draft parking code and online open houses related to Franklin Avenue improvements and Bend Bikeway design plans.

Please continue to travel around town safely and review the City’s plans for winter street operations – just in case that we do experience some of that winter weather at Bend’s 3,625 feet!

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Accessible and Effective City Government

Help Shape City Council Goals

Every two years, the City Council spends time reviewing community input and studying issues across Bend to set their goals. The goal setting is closely followed by budget setting (to ensure that funding is tied to priorities). Look out for an upcoming community survey that will invite feedback on City services; you may also find City Councilors and staff at upcoming events, and if you spot a City “pop-up” tent we’d love to invite you to stop and talk with us! Our mission is simple: to hear from you about what matters to you.

You’re Invited to Review a Draft Parking Code

We recommend making a strong cup of coffee or picking up your reading glasses before diving into the draft parking code – the draft version is a modern code intended to replace the current parking code. After you review the document, please let us know what you think! The Parking Code Update Project website features a feedback form, or you can send questions to parking@bendoregon.gov. Just be sure to get your feedback or questions in by Tuesday, Dec. 3 – City Council is scheduled to consider the new code at their meeting the following evening. Here are a few examples of what’s new in the proposed code:

• Prohibiting commercial vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds from parking between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in districts zoned residential.
• Clarifying how parking citations, immobilization, and tows are handled.
• Prohibiting a vehicle with protrusions (like RVs with pullouts) from blocking the sidewalk and travel lane.

Here are a few examples of what’s not changing:

• The 3-day rule that governs how long a vehicle can park in one place (in areas of the City outside of a parking district).
• The current regulations in the City’s parking districts; the existing districts will transition out of the code and become parking management plans.

The City Council is scheduled to consider the new code at their Dec. 4 City Council meeting. The new code would have a delayed implementation (later in 2025), to allow time to manage data and operational needs to support the new parking code.

Public Safety

In Bend, Santa Rides in a Fire Truck

Santa is trading in his sleigh for a fire engine! The Bend Fire Santa Express is gearing up for another fun year visiting local neighborhoods to collect food, clothing and toys in support of The Salvation Army.

Check out the Santa Express schedule and map routes for this year at bendoregon.gov/Fire.

If you miss the Santa Express but would still like to provide donations, stop by any of the Bend Fire stations and place your items in the collection bins now through Dec. 13!

Transportation & Infrastructure

Changes Ahead: Learn about Upcoming Transportation Projects (including the Reed Market Railroad Crossing!)

Reed Market Railroad Crossing Open House and Survey

Have you ever driven Reed Market only to experience a 20-minute train induced delay? Plans for a railroad crossing were included in the City of Bend’s Transportation System Plan, and there’s funding to support its construction. You’re invited to an open house to help shape the direction of the new Reed Market Road Railroad Crossing Project! Details below:

When: Dec. 9, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Where: Larkspur Community Center (1600 SE Reed Market Road)

Can’t make it to the in-person open house? Check out the online option, available Dec. 4 through Dec. 18 at bendoregon.gov/reedmarketbridge.

Midtown-Franklin Avenue Informational Online Open House

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on design for the Franklin Avenue pedestrian and bicycle improvements! Now, you’re invited to an informational online open house to view the selected design for Franklin Avenue including intersection, bike lane and undercrossing improvements. Please note: the planned changes are for Franklin Avenue between Harriman and Fifth Street.

When: Dec. 5 through Dec. 19

Where: Online only, at bendoregon.gov/midtowncrossings.

Bend Bikeway Informational Open House

You’re invited to explore the Bend Bikeway Project final design plans! The Bend Bikeway Project will help make safer connections for people walking, biking and rolling between neighborhoods, schools, parks and trails across town.

When: Dec. 16 through Jan. 2, 2025

Where: Online only, at bendoregon.gov/bendbikeway.

Bend’s Transportation System by the Numbers

Do you remember how much it snowed in January 2024? Answer: Enough for the City of Bend to plow 4,692 miles worth of streets!

You can find more information related to the Transportation & Mobility Department’s funding and operations by checking out the Bend Transportation Data Hub. The publicly available dashboard is divided into four sections, including:  

• Funding (includes information related to budget and expenditures)
• Operations & Maintenance (includes information related to programs such as street preservation, winter operations, and street sweeping)
• Assets (includes information related to assets owned and maintained by the City of Bend)
• Projects & Initiatives (includes information about how the City of Bend is planning for a safe and connected transportation system)

The Transportation Data Hub was created following the development of the transportation fee, to help build public trust and increase financial transparency. Along with the dashboard, Transportation & Mobility released an annual report – if you like your numbers couched in a little narrative, the annual report is a great way to learn about the department’s budget, service requests, programs, and much more!

Affordable Housing & Sustainable Development

Thanks to the new Housing Data Dashboard, you can find information related to what has been built in Bend, what is currently under construction, and so much more. In the Housing Production Dashboard, you can explore housing unit production over the last twenty years (and you’re getting the most up-to-date information – data is refreshed nightly and is based on City of Bend building permits). You’ll also find information related to affordable housing and an overview of the City’s efforts to provide shelter and safe parking options for those in need.

We want to share just one tidbit, based on the title of this article (didn’t think we’d leave you hanging, did you?) – out of all the housing that was built in 2023, almost 12% was designated affordable.

Learn more about how affordable housing is defined at bendoregon.gov/affordablehousing.

Environment & Climate

Are You Interested in Helping Shape Bend’s Climate Future?

We want to hear from you! You’re invited to take the Community Climate Action Plan survey, and feedback from that survey will help determine priorities and identify barriers related to emissions reduction efforts in Bend.

You can check out the City of Bend’s current Community Climate Action Plan here. Goals identified within that plan include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2030, and by 70% by the year 2050.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and will be open until Sunday, Dec. 1. All responses are anonymous.

Take the survey at Bend Community Climate Action Plan – Virtual Community Survey.

Future Closures

City Offices Closed December 25 in Observance of Christmas Day

City Offices will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Local first responders will be serving Bend around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

City Offices Closed January 1 in Observance of New Years Day

City Offices will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1 in observance of New Years Day. Local first responders will be serving Bend around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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