From suburb to city
As part of Redmond 2050, the City developed alternatives for how we can accommodate anticipated growth.
In this StoryMap, learn more about how the City is planning to accommodate future growth and meet the needs of our growing community.
From suburb to city
Redmond is INSIDE an urban growth area, so growth is allocated to us through processes in state law and regional planning agreements.
We decide where and how to accommodate growth in our community.
Planning for growth is also an opportunity to plan for ways to meet other community priorities...
Such as improving opportunities for affordable housing, walkability, equity, sustainability, and resiliency.
Our Community Today
Redmond is making the transition from a suburb to a city.
In 2020, Redmond had:
- 73,256 residents (Census, 2020 Decennial)
- 31,738 housing units (WA Office of Financial Management, 2020)
- 97,905 jobs (Puget Sound Regional Council 2020, Covered Employment)
The City of Redmond has the following growth targets for 2050 (minimum we must accommodate with the preferred alternative):
- Housing units: 24,800
- Jobs: 29,760
Areas of Focus
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Alternatives Studied in 2022
We created three alternatives for where growth will go and what it would look like based on community input received in 2020 and 2021.
Extensive community engagement on these three alternatives occurred in 2022.
Learn more about the Alternatives we studied:
Housing
Use the slider in the middle to compare the two alternatives.
Alternative 2: Centers (left side)
- Greater concentration of housing near light rail or frequent bus routes compared to other alternatives.
- More housing units and opportunities for home ownership compared to other alternatives.
- Greater risk for housing displacement compared to other alternatives.
- Accommodates 25,000 new housing units (Growth 2019-2050).
Alternative 3: Centers and Corridors (right side)
- Higher percentage of affordable housing compared to other alternatives.
- More variety of housing types and locations for affordable housing compared to other alternatives.
- Lowest risk of housing displacement compared to other alternatives.
- Accommodates 29,500 new housing units (Growth 2019-2050).
Jobs
Use the slider in the middle to compare the two alternatives.
Alternative 2: Centers (left side)
- More jobs in Marymoor Village and Southeast Redmond Center compared to other alternatives.
- Studies the potential for protecting industrial and manufacturing land uses and jobs in Southeast Redmond.
- Accommodates 30,100 new jobs (Growth 2019-2050).
Alternative 3: Centers and Corridors (right side)
- Greater concentration of jobs near light rail and frequent bus routes compared to other alternatives.
- More job growth of all alternatives in Overlake, compared to other alternatives.
- Greater risk of manufacturing displacement compared to Alternative 2.
- Studies potential of new local center at 90th & Willows and more jobs along Willows Road.
- Accommodates 27,000 new jobs (Growth 2019-2050).
The alternatives were also compared on how they met a variety of local and regional objectives.
- Alternative 1 will not support the growth that is anticipated for our community and it is not in line with the state and regional planning policies.
- Alternatives 2 and 3 have the best outcomes for environmental impacts and progress on achieving community goals related to equity, sustainability, and resiliency.
- Alternatives will look different on the ground based on the distribution of housing and job growth.
- Alternatives 2 and 3 have similar performance outcomes, so most decisions will be based on community preference.
For more information go to:
Preferred Alternative
The Preferred Alternative demonstrates that the City has the capacity to accommodate the growth assigned for this update. It incorporates feedback received on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and responds to changes in state law related to housing.
Primary Considerations for the Preferred Growth Alternative
Compare the Preferred Alternative with the Alternatives studied in 2022.
Housing
Use the slider in the middle to compare the Existing Capacity and the Preferred Alternative and click on each center to find out how much growth each center could accommodate.
Existing Capacity
- Does not accommodate sufficient affordable housing.
- Fewer middle housing opportunities.
- Accommodates an estimate of 17,800 new housing units (Growth 2019-2050).
Preferred Alternative
- Focuses growth on centers and corridors.
- Creates capacity for housing affordable at all income levels.
- Accommodates an estimate of 29,700 new housing units (Growth 2019-2050).
Jobs
Use the slider in the middle to compare the Existing Capacity and the Preferred Alternative and click on each center to find out how much growth each center could accommodate.
Existing Capacity
- Similar job distribution as the Preferred Alternative.
- Lowest displacement risk compared to other alternatives.
- Accommodates 18,300 new jobs (Growth 2019-2050).
Preferred Alternative
- Establishes a new job center in Southeast Redmond.
- Increases job capacity in Downtown and Overlake.
- Accommodates 32,650 new jobs (Growth 2019-2050).
2050 Conditions
Housing
The following maps show the distribution and total number of housing units that the City of Redmond will have in 2050 per alternative.
Click on each map to expand
Side by side maps of the alternatives showing estimated total housing units in Redmond in 2050
Jobs
The following maps show the distribution and total number of jobs that the City of Redmond will have in 2050 per alternative.
Click on each map to expand
Side by side maps of the alternatives showing estimated total jobs in Redmond in 2050
Next Steps
As a community we had the opportunity to explore issues such as growth distribution, building heights, and growth in the study areas.
Now we are drafting the policy and code updates to implement the Preferred Alternative.
Additional environmental documents were published on September 20, with comments due by 5 p.m. on October 20, 2023. Final environmental review to be completed by the end of the year.
Join the Conversation:
Please join the conversation using the following links:
Help decide where we want to make changes in our residential neighborhoods - Share your ideas in our questionnaire:
Pin a location on our map:
Share your ideas for how we can improve equity in our built environment:
Join in on Redmond 2050 events and activities:
Sign up for Redmond 2050 emails to stay up-to-date on engagement opportunities and changes to be adopted in 2023 and 2024.
Contact us: Redmond2050@redmond.gov / 425-556-2750
