From the flurry of activity that has been happening around the proposed gas tax referendum, itโs 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 โunprecedented.โ Some are going out of their way […]
transportation
Pedestrian Avenue
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 […]
Protected Bike Paths Proposed
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 […]
Transportation Bond Heads to the May Ballot
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 […]
Commentary: On Powder and Polka
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 […]
Look Up and Beyond
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 […]
City Council Moves Forward with Transportation Bond
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 Attorneyโs office to draft the language for the bond measure that would fund $180 million in capital transportation projects. Once the […]
With a Transportation Survey, a Chance to Weigh in on Forward-Thinking Options
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. […]
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 […]
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 priorโat 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 processโnot yet formally adoptedโhas […]

