Posted inOpinion

A Gas Tax Repeal Could Be Looming, But Oregonians Will Feel the Effects Right Away

Next year, voters may get a chance to weigh in on funding for ODOT. But the current repeal petition will put the brakes on road maintenance far sooner.

From the flurry of activity that has been happening around the proposed gas tax referendum, itโ€™s clear that many Oregonians have strong feelings about the issue of raising fees on car registrations and raising the state gas tax by 6 cents. Partisan historians are calling the effort โ€œunprecedented.โ€ Some are going out of their way […]

Posted inNews

Pedestrian Avenue

A proposal from Downtown Bend Business Association could change Minnesota Avenue into a walkable plaza

The 300-foot-long stretch of Minnesota Avenue between Bond and Wall Street is host to about a dozen businesses at the center of Bend’s historic downtown. A proposal could transform it from a through street to a walkable community gathering space. The Downtown Bend Business Association was commissioned by the City to create plans for the […]

Posted inNews

Protected Bike Paths Proposed

City leaders propose two bike paths, one running north to south and the other east to west, to the Transportation Oversight Committee

Momentum for more protected active transportation is building in Bend, with City Councilor Anthony Broadman and Bend Park and Recreation Board Member Ariel Mรฉndez submitting a proposal for the prioritization and augmentation of 17 miles of new bike paths in Bend. The routes would run 7 miles in a north-south corridor and 11 miles east-west, both sharing […]

Posted inNews

Transportation Bond Heads to the May Ballot

Bendites will vote on the $190 million bond in May

The Bend City Council unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday to put a $190 million general obligation transportation bond on the May 19 primary election ballot. The bond, if approved by voters, would pay for improvements to east-west connections, projects to ease traffic congestion and a network of cross-town bike and pedestrian routes. The bond will […]

Posted inOutside

Commentary: On Powder and Polka

With thousands on Century every day, what Central Oregon really needs is a ski train

The email could not have been more exciting if Ullr had typed it himself. “It’s Official…” screamed the subject line. “We’re Opening!” It was Nov. 27, and just like that the ski season was on. So, too, began one of the more frustrating aspects of having upward of 4,300 acres of powder-choked glades, bowls and […]

Posted inOpinion

Look Up and Beyond

Growth and access cost money

Last week, the Bend City Council initially voted in favor of putting the smaller of two proposed transportation bond packages before voters during the May election, aiming to tackle some of the most pressing and overdue transportation-related problems in Bend. While the Council still has another vote before them before voters would see that bond […]

Posted inNews

City Council Moves Forward with Transportation Bond

Bend City Council to draft a $180 million bond measure for the May Primary Election ballot

The Bend City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to move forward on a transportation bond measure. The Council will finalize the language for the ballot at its Feb. 5 meeting. The motion directs the City Attorneyโ€™s office to draft the language for the bond measure that would fund $180 million in capital transportation projects. Once the […]

Posted inOpinion

With a Transportation Survey, a Chance to Weigh in on Forward-Thinking Options

The City of Bend is asking people to take part in a short survey about transportation issues

Transportation issues are a major concern for people in Bend. Right now, the City of Bend is asking people to take part in a short survey about transportation issues. According to info on the survey, “The City of Bend is considering making strategic investments to reduce traffic congestion and improve the safety of neighborhood streets. […]

Posted inNews

City Council Finalizes Goals

At its March 20 meeting, the Bend City Council approved its two-year goal package for the City. The 2019-2021 goals fall into four categories: Economic Vitality: Including housing, jobs and managing growth. The City’s strategies in this goal seek to increase opportunities for additional housing and housing types like affordable housing and land for employment […]

Posted inOpinion

City leaders are cultural bellwethers, in addition to being public servants

Last month, the Bend City Council convened away from City Hall for its biannual goal-setting process. The goals-in-process differ slightly from the goals set two years priorโ€”at least in how they’re categorized. The 2017-2019 goals fell under five headings, including growth, transportation, affordable housing, public safety and modernization. The current goal-setting processโ€”not yet formally adoptedโ€”has […]

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