The Source Weekly sat down with Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler to talk about plans for the new year, along with noteworthy accomplishments from 2024. We covered significant topics such as housing, transportation and, of course, googly eyes.
Housing
On housing, Kebler was proud of the UGB expansion the City just approved, along with its investments in affordable housing projects.
“We know that we’re building more housing per capita than other cities in the state. We’re on the right track, and we still have a problem. Too many people cannot afford to live here,” Kebler said. “We have too many people rent burdened. We’ve seen that number shift a little bit, and our staff are saying this is because people are leaving who are rent burdened.”
While the City continues to work on increasing housing, Kebler is proud of the City’s achievements on homelessness, noting a drop in Bend’s Point-in-Time Count and the count of unsheltered people.
“I think the real star of that story is the safe parking program,” Kebler said.
The City, she said, just got notice that a couple more places are going to start doing safe parking in Bend, increasing needed capacity. Kebler also mentioned the City’s $5 million grant from HUD, meant to expand housing supply and lower housing costs. In the new year, the City will begin divulging more details about what the grant funding will go to.
Transportation
According to Kebler, the biggest upcoming transportation project is the Hawthorne Overcrossing. She was proud that the City was able to secure state and federal funding for the bridge and kick off the process by choosing a design.
In 2024, the City moved forward with a Transportation Fee, aimed at maintaining the City’s transportation system. Kebler, proud of the City’s work on the fee, said phase two of the fee will add sustained funding to do more work, hiring more crews and purchasing more equipment.
“I think that’s an accomplishment, to move a policy like that forward and make sure that were explaining it as best we can. At the same time, saying, ‘we also hear that there’s a lot of local investment here,’ and ‘there’s a lot of users of this system that aren’t locals’ — people that are visiting or whatever — and continuing to have commitment to try to find those revenue sources as well,” Kebler said.
Environmental Issues
On environmental issues, the City will look to strengthen its Community Climate Action Plan, which currently has no proposal for funding projects, according to Kebler.
“I think that’s the biggest challenge going forward, is to figure out what kind of sustainable funding could be available for a climate action office,” Kebler said.
The City was also proud of its turf removal program, which allows households to save water by receiving a rebate to convert their grass lawns into low-water landscapes. The program, Kebler said, was extremely popular, receiving 120 applications last year. The program will return in 2025.
Googly Eyes
On Dec. 4, the City posted about the addition of googly eyes on several art pieces in Bend’s roundabouts. The announcement featured three examples of sculptures pasted with googly eyes.
“We love our roundabout art in Bend, so let’s do our part to take care of it. While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art. While we don’t condone the wreaths, leis and Santa hats, let’s stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art,” the post read.
The post took the City by surprise, receiving nearly 400 pro-googly eyes comments. The post, along with the city’s reaction, blew up, getting featured on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and The New York Times, among many other major news sites. Mayor Kebler, surprised and delighted at the publicity of the story, sees the googly eyes as a way for people to appreciate the local art.
“That’s public art that people see every day, and you kind of get used to it. Everywhere you’re traveling, every day, you see art. So, part of it is like people noticing the art again,” she said.
René Mitchell, City communications director, chimed in to set the record straight.
“It really started as a very benign, friendly reminder. We just did not expect the comments,” she told the Source Weekly. “However, it brings a lot of attention to the collection. And who doesn’t love being on Stephen Colbert.” Kebler agreed.
This article appears in Source Weekly December 19, 2024.
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Too bad you didn’t ask about the piece of crap last-minute mailer she and Sally Russell sent out attacking Barb Campbell. The mayor and the mayor who quit really showed some mean-spiritedness with this “literature.” I would expect it from Russell, but Kebler? Shameful arrrogance. Lost my support. –Michael Funke
“On housing, Kebler was proud of the UGB expansion the City just approved, along with its investments in affordable housing projects.”
Is there ANYONE involved with the City of Bend that isn’t on the take? Urban Growth Boundaries exist for VERY important reasons.
When they are ‘expanded’ (moved around at the will of developers, Brooks Resources chief among them) towns this size are RUINED!
Googly Eyes?! That’s your focus? Long past time to hire an outside auditor and go through the entire City of Bend, including the Mayor!
The Bend City Council has committed drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, pets and wildlife to unnecessary danger without addressing road improvements near the Caldera Ranch UGB. Knott Road and adjacent roads are an increasing safety concern for the vehicles joining Knott Road between China Hat Road to 15th street and beyond. Blind curves as well and heavy traffic at times can make pulling out of a side street scary. Commercial big rig traffic between Rt 97 to Hwy Rt 20 are also increasing. Transit routes should not be an afterthought. Inadequate turning lanes, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes and a growing student population make the corridor very dangerous. Ambulance and emergency vehicles must have access to all populated areas when needed. What will happen once thousands of new residents move into all the new and planned developments in southeast Bend?
Should we wait for a major catastrophe to plan for the evacuation of thousands? Lava lands is not just history! There will be fires.
Absolutely, the city needs more affordable housing. If possible, I hope the council can modify plans. We all want this to remain a great place to live and enjoy.