OWN YOUR ZONE

Bend Fire & Rescue and the City of Bend launched a wildfire preparedness campaign to empower the Bend Community with tools to create defensible space around their home. Own Your Zone gives Bendites simple things they can do that will make a big difference to protect their homes from the threat of wildfire.

To learn more about what you can do to help protect your homes and community from wildfire, head to ownyourzonebend.org.

CITY EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY

The City of Bend extended the local state of emergency in response to extreme weather conditions through the end of August. The emergency order includes mobilizing City resources to provide support services to unhoused community members and the immediate ban on the use of all fireworks within the City of Bend through August 31.

HOUSING

Project Turnkey Update 

The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced the City of Bend was awarded $2.97 million in state funding from Project Turnkey to purchase a motel property and remodel it for use as a managed transitional shelter.

The City will open the shelter after remodeling the 8,895 square-foot building and making improvements to the property. Once remodeled, Project Turnkey-Bend will provide 28 rooms for shelter use.

An outdoor, in-person community open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 27, at the riverfront next to The Waterside Building (2445 NE Division). The open house will include an overview of the City’s plans for remodeling the motel, information on how the shelter will be managed, a summary of the services that may be offered at the shelter, and an opportunity to ask City staff questions.

More information can be found on the City’s Project Turnkey webpage.

House Bill 2001 Info Session

The City of Bend will host a Community Information Session regarding newly proposed code amendments related to House Bill (HB) 2001, a bill passed by the Oregon legislature in 2019 aimed at providing more housing options in Oregon communities. The session will be held online from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22. It will include a presentation by City staff followed by a question and answer opportunity.

To view the proposed amendments and for more information on Bend’s HB 2001 implementation, visit bendoregon.gov/HB-2001.

Register to attend the online information session.

BEND CITY COUNCIL NEWS

Road to 3000

As part of its 2019-2021 Council Goals, City Council set a target of building 3,000 new units of housing. The City surpassed that goal by achieving 3,942 units. “The Road to 3,000” on the Council Goals Dashboard, shows building permit statistics through the end of the biennium. Here’s a summary of how those 3,942 housing units break down:

• 1,976 units completed
• 1,406 units under construction
• 560 units in review

Land Use Education

City Council had a goal to develop land use education resources for the community as part of its 2019-2021 goals. In partnership with the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance (NLA), the City recently launched a new Land Use Education webpage. City Council got a look at the webpage during yesterday’s work session. The page features a short “Land Use 101” video and many other resources to help community members better understand land use planning in Oregon and in Bend. This webpage will continue to develop as additional education materials and resources are created and added to the page.

Supplemental Budget

During the July 21 City Council work session, the Council supported staff recommendations for a $13.1 million budget adjustment focused on supporting housing and meeting service needs for the community. The budget adjustments support the 2021-2023 City Council Goals and include $6 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, with the remainder coming from state funding and other sources. Adoption of the recommended budget adjustments by City Council is expected at its August 18 meeting.

Learn more about the budget adjustment.

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TRANSPORTATION

New parking zones have been implemented in Downtown Bend in an effort to make parking downtown easier. There have also been changes to the two-hour free parking to help make parking more available in downtown.

To learn more about the parking changes, read this news story. 

Wilson Design Work

The above rendering of 2nd St. and Wilson Ave.is based on 60% design and subject to change.

The City of Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee identified the Wilson Avenue Corridor Project as the first project of the $190 million Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond, approved by voters in 2020.

To start off the project, the City is moving forward with the design work for the west section of Wilson Avenue from 2nd Street to Douglas Street.

A virtual open house will be available July 23 through August 9, 2021, at bendoregon.gov/wilson. A live pop-up open house will be held at the Vince Genna Stadium parking lot from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 2.

Newport Update

Beginning July 26th, construction continues on the Newport Corridor Improvements Project with work beginning on Segment 5 of the project. That’s the area on Newport Avenue from Juniper Street to College Way.

This is a change to the original construction schedule that was made after careful consideration and evaluation of impacts to businesses and residents.

Also, beginning on Monday, the Newport Avenue Bridge over the Deschutes River will be closed for reconstruction and bridge resurfacing. Construction is expected to take place during the week, from 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. through July 30.

Learn more about the projects.

OUR WATER

Integrated Water System Master Plan

We want to hear from you! Join the conversation as we balance water reliability with affordability and consider ways saving water can save infrastructure dollars.  

Visit the City’s Integrated Water System Master Plan online open house through August 6, 2021, to learn about steps the City is taking, share your feedback, and let us know what’s most important to you as we plan for a reliable water future for our growing community.

Backflow Testing Reminder

What’s in your sprinkler system pipes? Test your irrigation backflow system annually to ensure the prevention of contaminates like fertilizer and pet waste don’t enter your household water system thru your irrigation pipes.

For more information, visit bendoregon.gov/crossconnection.

COVID-19 Temporary Utility Assistance Program

The City of Bend has partnered with NeighborImpact to provide a bill payment assistance program for City of Bend water utility bills for households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

See if you qualify and learn how to apply on the NeighborImpact Website.

Smart Irrigation Month

July is Smart Irrigation Month!

“Smart” irrigation controllers can help keep your yard healthy with less water. Smart controllers use sensors and other technology to water according to weather conditions and plant needs.

For more information on efficient irrigation technologies, visit bendoregon.gov/waterwise-irrigation

INSIDE BEND

Our new podcast is here! 

‘Inside Bend’ comes out monthly, featuring in-depth discussions with City leaders and staff on topics that are important to life in Bend. 

Our very first episode is a fantastic interview with Bend Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly as we discuss fire danger and what you can do to help keep your home and community safe from a devastating wildfire. 

Listen to ‘Inside Bend’ on our website or you can find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.