Proposal for urban renewal in the Core Area of Bend
Things are moving quickly with the City of Bend's Core Area planning process, which aims to create an Urban Renewal District in the Bend Central District and surrounding areas by August of this year.
The proposed plan contains almost everything we need to see the BCD transition to a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive mixed-use neighborhood with safe connections between east and west Bend!
It includes funding mechanisms for a wide range of critical projects and programs to make the community vision for the heart of Bend a reality. One of the ways the draft plan can be improved is by adding language and policies to ensure investments benefit existing Bend residents and businesses.
The City is hosting an online Open House until March 12th. Please participate and submit comments!
What’s in the Plan
Current 2nd & Greenwood streetscape and built environment
Rendering of possible future streetscape and built environment at 2nd & Greenwood
The City of Bend's Core Area Project (CAP) creates a common vision and implementation plan for the Core Area of Bend (see map). The process has:
Established guiding principles
Created an urban design framework
Identified projects and programs that need funding
Developed funding strategies
How the draft plan could be improved
This is a critical moment for the future of our City and the Bend Central District. We are excited to finally see funding on the horizon for bike/pedestrian connections across Third Street, the parkway, and risky intersections, plus streetscape improvements, affordable housing, and parks, plazas, art, and more!
But when the City makes these investments we need to ask who benefits? How can the plan ensure public investments have benefits for local businesses, existing residents, and our most vulnerable populations? The City should address these questions in its Urban Renewal Plan.
Of course we understand that some of the money and incentives need to go toward making vertical mixed-use development pencil, but if there is no equity lens, we risk losing the diversity and charm at the heart of the BCD.
Please keep these questions and the BCD Initiative's Guiding Principles in mind as you comment on the City of Bend's online open house.
Upcoming Events
Urban Renewal Advisory Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
12pm - 3pm
Municipal Court, 555 NE 15th Street
Agenda and packet will be posted here next week