WINTER

We want to give a big shout out to all the property owners who helped members of the community get around safely by shoveling sidewalks along their property during the recent snowfall. Tips about winter living in Bend are at bendoregon.gov/winter and you can find sidewalk related snow removal guidelines and helpful tips on our webpage.

COUNCIL UPDATES

Council Goal Setting

Councilors are working on a framework of goals that will guide the City’s priorities over the next two years. Goal categories include:

• Accessible & Effective City Government
• Environment & Climate
• Safety, Health, Accountability & Justice
• Shared Prosperity
• Transportation & Infrastructure
• Housing

Goal strategies are still being refined and a work plan for implementing the goals will follow. View the draft Council Goal Framework.

The Council drafted this preamble statement that sets the stage for their goals:

We will work to make Bend a city for everyone. We can all share in the prosperity and promise of this unique and beautiful place. We honor the people that came before us on these lands and acknowledge that the health of our community relies on the health of our environment. As stewards of the city, we are accountable to the people of Bend and are responsible for delivering excellent city services. We are committed to serving everyone equitably, creating a more connected community, and preserving Bend’s spirit as we grow. We will strive to achieve equity and justice for everyone in Bend.

Black History Month

The Council adopted a proclamation to honor Black History Month, acknowledging past injustices while seeking a more inclusive, equitable, and just path forward. It says black people are valued and vital members of the Bend community. The City Council is committed to creating a community where all can feel safe and welcome, and will take action towards dismantling and transforming unjust and racist systems. Read the proclamation in its entirety which says, “black lives matter.”

Project Turnkey and Code Changes

Councilors unanimously approved a “purchase and sale” agreement not to exceed $5 million to buy the Old Mill Inn & Suites on SE Third Street for transitional housing for community members who are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness, contingent on grant funding. The City would partner with service providers to run the facilities for unhoused people. City Council has prioritized associated code amendments needed to locate transitional housing facilities like this in Bend. Those changes include removing a provision for 1,000 feet of separation between temporary housing sites and allowing transitional shelter sites as a permitted use in certain commercial zones, particularly along Third Street, without requiring a conditional use permit. Read more about the code changes and Project Turnkey.

Affordable Housing Awards

Council approved the 2021 Affordable Housing Fund recommendations from the Council-appointed Affordable Housing Advisory Committee for three projects, totaling $1.3 million, to support the creation of over 435 affordable housing units.  The projects are:

• Housing Works purchase of approximately 5.5 acres that expands Bend’s Urban Growth Boundary for the development of affordable housing
• Mary Rose Place Apartments, an affordable housing development proposal to be located at the intersection of Mary Rose Place and 27th Street, in the Northeast Bend Mountain View neighborhood
• Bend Heroes Foundation’s development of a transitional shelter that will provide services for veterans experiencing homelessness, including a community building for meals and services, and 15 single occupancy units with the ability to expand to 30 units.

Read the Council's issue summary.

 TRANSPORTATION NEWS

Columbia Roundabouts

Construction starts at the intersection of SW Columbia and Colorado Avenue in early March. The City will be improving the intersections of Columbia Street/Colorado Avenue and Columbia Street/Simpson Avenue with roundabouts to improve safety and reliability.

Construction for the Simpson intersection will start once Colorado is done and we anticipate all construction will be done in August 2021.

Visit the Columbia Roundabouts project website and sign up for project update notifications.

Travelers should expect road closures and detours at:

• Columbia Street / Colorado Avenue – early March through mid-May
• Columbia Street / Simpson Avenue – mid-May through July

Newport Corridor Improvements

Newport Corridor Improvements kick off next month.  The project will:

• Rebuild aging and failing stormwater infrastructure
• Rebuild the road between 9th Street and College Way
• Replace the existing sewer trunk line and water distribution pipes
• Install new sidewalks, curb ramps, lighting, landscaping and signage

Construction begins with replacement of an aging water line at the intersection of 10th Street and Newport Avenue. The project will result in temporary closures and detours.

Learn more about the planned Newport Corridor Improvements and construction schedule at: bendoregon.gov/newportimprovements

Rubberized Chip Seal

This year we’re trying a new durable pavement road treatment that uses recycled scrap tire material. By treating 14.4 lane miles of residential roads in the Midtown area west of Pilot Butte with this rubberized chip seal, we are recycling and keeping approximately 3,600 tires from going into the landfill. Read the issue summary on the utilization of rubberized chip seal for paving.

Depending on the treatment’s performance, we may expand to busier streets in future years.

Rubberized chip seals are just one of several types of road preservation we use. It’s is an added treatment option for our “Keep The Good Roads Good” philosophy with cost effective solutions, extending the life our streets.

Find more information and the map for 2021 street preservation.

Parking Garage Changes

The Bend Parking Services Division installed an access control system in the Centennial Parking Garage in downtown Bend to help improve safety and simplify payment options for parking customers. Find out more about the changes to the parking garage.

NEW MAPPING TOOL

The City is excited to announce the launch of a new public interactive mapping tool, the Community Development Data Explorer (“The Explorer”). The Explorer can be used to perform common search functions such as finding property zoning, getting information on land use applications, and accessing permit and licensing information for any tax lot within Bend city limits.

Training materials on the “Introduction” tab of The Explorer can help the community learn how to use and navigate the map. This Explorer is a resource that was identified by the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA), an advisory committee to City Council, as an easier way for community members to learn about development and land use in Bend.  Read the press release.

FREE "WATERSHED WISE" LANDSCAPING WORKSHOPS

In March, we’re hosting five free online workshops on “Watershed Wise” landscaping. This approach to urban landscaping builds healthy, resilient gardens that prevent irrigation runoff and help save water and reduce pollutants that could flow into stormdrains or the river. 

Watershed Wise Landscaping Basics, 7-8 p.m. on March 4, 2021 

Building Healthy Soil, 7-8 p.m. on March 11, 2021 

Irrigating Efficiently, 7-8 p.m. on March 18, 2021 

Watershed Wise Garden Design, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. on March 20, 2021 

Capturing Rainwater, 7-8 p.m. in March 25, 2021 

More information and registration (required) at WaterWiseTips.org.