Redmond Gazette

Redmond’s Independent Voice Since 2026

Redmond, Washington

Author: info_ax35n71m

  • New Food Hall Coming to Redmond Town Center This Fall

    A 12,000-square-foot artisan food hall is set to open at Redmond Town Center this October, bringing 16 local food vendors under one roof in what developers call the largest culinary destination on the Eastside.

    The Eastside Food Collective will feature cuisines including Japanese ramen, Ethiopian injera, Neapolitan pizza, and Pacific Northwest seafood. A central bar will serve local craft cocktails and Washington wines.

    Developer Greenbridge Properties selected vendors through a competitive process prioritizing local ownership and culinary creativity. Half of the vendors are first-time restaurant owners.

    “Redmond’s food scene has exploded in the last few years, and this hall gives talented chefs an affordable entry point,” said project lead Anika Desai. The food hall will operate seven days a week.

  • Redmond Derby Days Festival Announces Headliner and New Events

    The 86th annual Redmond Derby Days festival has announced its 2026 lineup, featuring indie folk band Fleet Foxes as the Saturday night headliner and several new family-friendly attractions.

    The beloved summer festival, running July 10-12 at Redmond City Hall campus, will expand to include a craft beer garden showcasing 15 Eastside breweries, a technology showcase, and a twilight drone light show.

    The iconic bicycle derby race remains the festival’s centerpiece, with registration open for youth, amateur, and competitive categories. New this year is a family tandem category.

    Festival committee chair Rob Yamamoto said the changes reflect Redmond’s evolution. “Derby Days has always been about community. We’re just adding new ways for everyone to participate.” Tickets go on sale May 1.

  • Letter to the Editor: Preserving Redmond’s Tree Canopy

    Dear Editor,

    As a 30-year resident of Education Hill, I write with growing concern about the loss of mature trees in our neighborhoods. Each new development seems to claim another stand of Douglas firs or western red cedars that have defined Redmond’s character for generations.

    I understand growth is inevitable and housing is needed. But the current tree ordinance is inadequate. Developers routinely receive variances to remove significant trees, and required replacement plantings take decades to provide the same canopy coverage.

    I urge the council to strengthen our tree protection ordinance, require genuine one-for-one canopy replacement, and establish a dedicated urban forestry fund.

    Margaret Sullivan, Education Hill

  • Editorial: Redmond’s Growth Demands Bold Transportation Vision

    Redmond stands at a crossroads. With population growth outpacing infrastructure development and daily traffic congestion worsening along SR-520 and Redmond Way, our city needs a comprehensive transportation plan that looks beyond the next election cycle.

    The recent approval of the Downtown Link extension is a welcome step, but light rail alone cannot solve our mobility challenges. We need protected bike lanes on major arterials, expanded bus rapid transit, and creative solutions for last-mile connectivity.

    Other growing tech hubs have shown what’s possible. Portland’s investment in multimodal transit has reduced per-capita vehicle miles. Boulder’s integrated cycling network serves as a national model.

    We urge the City Council to commission a 20-year transportation master plan that prioritizes sustainability, equity, and quality of life. The time for incremental thinking has passed.

  • Lake Washington School District Unveils $150M Bond Proposal

    The Lake Washington School District has unveiled a $150 million bond proposal that would fund major renovations at five Redmond-area schools, including a complete rebuild of Rosa Parks Elementary and a new STEM wing at Redmond Middle School.

    Superintendent Dr. Michael Torres presented the plan at a packed community forum at Redmond High School, citing aging infrastructure and rapidly growing enrollment as key drivers.

    If approved by voters in November, the bond would fund seismic upgrades, technology infrastructure, expanded cafeterias, and new athletic facilities. The estimated cost to homeowners would be approximately $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

    “Our kids deserve modern facilities,” said Redmond PTA Council president Amy Nakagawa. “These schools are the heart of our community.”

  • Eastside Tech Corridor Sees Record Commercial Lease Activity

    Commercial real estate along Redmond’s tech corridor has hit an all-time high, with lease activity in the first quarter of 2026 surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 18%, according to Eastside Commercial Advisors.

    The surge is driven largely by AI startups and cloud computing firms seeking proximity to Microsoft’s headquarters. Average asking rents along 148th Avenue NE have risen to $52 per square foot.

    “Redmond is no longer just Microsoft’s town — it’s becoming a diverse tech ecosystem,” said commercial broker Jennifer Huang.

    The city’s economic development office reports that 47 new businesses have registered in Redmond since January, creating an estimated 1,200 jobs.

  • Redmond Farmers Market Returns with Record Vendor Lineup

    The Redmond Saturday Market kicks off its 2026 season this weekend at the Redmond Town Center with a record 85 vendors — the most in the market’s 28-year history.

    New additions include three organic farms from the Snoqualmie Valley, a Vietnamese street food cart, and a local meadery specializing in Pacific Northwest honey wines.

    Market manager Patricia Olsen attributes the growth to Redmond’s booming population. “People here genuinely care about buying local. Our vendor applications were up 60% this year.”

    The market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October. Live music performances will rotate weekly, and a new children’s activity corner will offer crafts and gardening workshops.

  • Sammamish River Trail Restoration Project Enters Final Phase

    The multi-year Sammamish River Trail restoration project has entered its final phase, with crews working to complete a 2.5-mile segment through central Redmond that includes widened pathways, native plant restoration, and improved wildlife crossings.

    The $8.5 million project, funded jointly by King County and the City of Redmond, has already completed habitat restoration along the riverbank and installed salmon-friendly culverts.

    Trail users can expect the final section to reopen by late May, just in time for peak summer usage. The completed trail will feature separated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians and solar-powered lighting.

    “We’ve seen a 40% increase in salmon returns since the early restoration work began,” said King County environmental scientist Dr. Sarah Patel.

  • Marymoor Park Velodrome to Host Pacific Northwest Cycling Classic

    The historic Marymoor Park Velodrome will host the inaugural Pacific Northwest Cycling Classic this June, drawing elite cyclists from across the region for three days of track racing competition.

    Event organizers expect more than 200 cyclists to compete in categories ranging from junior development to elite professional. The velodrome has undergone recent renovations including resurfaced banking and upgraded lighting.

    King County Parks director Lisa Nakamura called the event a showcase for Redmond’s outdoor recreation infrastructure. “Marymoor Park is a crown jewel, and this event puts it on the national cycling map.”

    General admission tickets are $15 for adults, with children under 12 admitted free. VIP packages are available at redmondcyclingclassic.com.

  • Redmond Mustangs Clinch KingCo Conference Baseball Title

    The Redmond High School Mustangs captured the KingCo Conference baseball championship Saturday with a thrilling 5-4 victory over Eastlake at Hartman Park, securing the program’s first conference title in six years.

    Senior pitcher Jake Thornton delivered a masterful performance on the mound, striking out nine batters over six innings before giving way to closer Ryan Matsuda, who recorded the final three outs.

    The decisive moment came in the bottom of the seventh when junior outfielder Marcus Rivera launched a two-run double into the right-center gap, breaking a 3-3 tie.

    “These kids have worked so hard all season,” said head coach Tom Bradley. The Mustangs now advance to the 3A state tournament at Everett Memorial Stadium next weekend.