HomeMy WebLinkAbout19th St - TSP - Letters in SupportCITY OF REDMOND 716 SW Evergreen Avenue
Office of the Mayor Redmond OR 97756
RECEIVED (541) 948-3219
FEB 2 2 2010
Fax (541) 548-0706
george.endicott@ci.redmond.orus
003 lu►10Dv c nd.or.us
Deschutes County CDD OIOZ g g 833
a3/11303u
Date: February 22, 2010
To: Deschutes County Commissioners
From: George Endicott
Mayor of Redmond
Subj: 19"' Street Testimony
Chairman, Commissioners —
Redmond greatly favors the proposed layout of 19"' Street from Redmond to Deschutes
Junction.
This project will construct approximately 6 miles of new road, extending 19"' Street from the
south end of the City of Redmond to U.S. Highway 97 at Deschutes Junction.
The 19"' Street Extension will provide a vital southerly access to the rapidly developing
southeast side of Redmond. As you are aware, investments in our transportation infrastructure
are crucial to maintaining the economic vitality of our region. The 19"' Street Extension is of
particular significance to the regional economy as it provides access to the Redmond Airport,
Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center, existing businessfmdustrial areas, and a large state
owned (Department of State Lands) parcel targeted for industrial development. In addition, the
road would provide a future connection to the Pronghorn Resort, improving critical access for
emergency service vehicles.
The 19"' Street extension will also provide a parallel route to US 97, which carries a significant
amount of interstate commerce. This project will connect to the Deschutes Junction/US 97
interchange and the Yew Avenue/US 97 interchange and help reduce traffic congestion on US
97 as well as providing a detour route in the event of a US 97 dosure.
Deschutes County has already received appropriations for a portion of the project development
costs in the 2008 and 2009 Federal appropriation acts.
The Bureau of Land Management has performed a NEPA (environmental assessment) study on
this alignment and found no environmental or cultural issues that would be impacted by this
alignment.
The Central Oregon Area Commission on Transportation (COACT) approved the project and a
letter was sent to the Planning Commission. In February, the Executive Committee approved
support letters for a Federal appropriations request.
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Furthermore, the South Redmond Collaborative Planning Group, a group comprised of
Federal, State, County and local representatives, has supported the establishment and
alignment of the proposed 19th Street corridor. This group has been in existence for
approximately 10 years. At a recent meeting, several Department heads from the
Governor's staff, attending at the invitation of the Economic Revitalization Team (ERT),
heard a presentation on 19t Street and supported the need for such a corridor as a vital
component for economic activity in the region. 10 years
If Bend's plans for Juniper Ridge come to fruition, the southern end of 19th Street will
align with the northern end of Juniper Ridge. If we do not prepare now, and anticipate
the future, then we will be left in a situation where transportation corridors will be much
worse off than the current situation.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to provide Redmond's position.
710 WALL STREET
P.O. BOX 431
BEND, OR 97709
[541] 388-5505 TEL
[541] 388-5519.FAX
www.ci:bend.or.us
KATHIE ECKMAN
Mayor
MARK CAPELL
MeyorPm Tem
JIM CLINTON
City Councilor
JoDIE BARRAM
City Councilor
March 1, 2010
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
Dennis Luke, Chair
117 NW 117: NW Lafayette Ave.,
Bend, Oregon 97701
RE: Support for: Deschutes. County Transportation System Plan (TSP)
Amendment for. 19th Street (PA -09-02)
Dear Chair Luke,
am writing in support of the proposed 19t Street Extension that is currently being
considered in the updateto the Deschutes County TSP:. The reasons to support
the.19t Street Extension are the following:
JEFF EAGER The 19t Street Extension :allows for a north-southalternative to Highway. 97 and
Cit'Councilor completes a rural grid street system. A parallel county road offers better emergency
accessand local connectivity in the area between the cities of Bend and. Redmond
Tom GREENE which reduces the need for local traffic to access the state highway.
City Councilor •
The extension also provides for a multi modal road or corridor for bicyclists and
ORAN TEATER possibly pedestrians that would otherwise use Highway 97. There is an increasing
City Councilor need for better types of these corridors linking.the county road system, to thecities
of Bend and Redmond:
ERIC KING
City Manager
SONIAANDREWS
Finance Director
SANDRA LBAXTER
Police Chief
LARRYHUHN
Fire Chief
-.As the area grows and traffic increases, providing. safer rural roads and connections
becomes more essential. The extension of 19th Street and its subsequent
improvement will improve safety all road users.
For the reasons listed, 1 support the proposed 19th Street Extension in the County
TSP.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
.Sincerely,
PATRICIA STEL
cn,Re r' 'Eric King, C. ager
City of Bend
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MAR - 8 2010
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