Hundreds protest quick move of Old Firehouse teen programs; council schedules study session

Dozens of teens, alumni and parents told the Redmond City Council on April 1 that the city’s decision to move programs out of the Old Firehouse Teen Center with less than three weeks’ notice has left many youth without an accessible, dedicated space.

Speakers said the city announced the relocation of teen programs from the Old Firehouse to the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village and other facilities while emphasizing that the building remains safe for occupancy. Multiple speakers described the Firehouse as a culturally important, teen-run space that supports mental health, music and arts and offered “a place to belong.”

The public outcry began after the mayor’s staff read a statement explaining the move: city staff said comprehensive facility assessments identified hazardous building materials and long‑term maintenance needs that require extensive mitigation, and programs were being transitioned in March so services could continue while the city and community determine the building’s future. The city said no decision has been made about the building and that council will decide the future through a separate public process.

Why it matters: testimony emphasized that the Old Firehouse is more than the sum of its programs — speakers said the concentrated, teen‑only location, the recording studio, performance stage, and the informal “third place” fostered connections and supports that young people rely on. Several teens said the replacement sites lack comparable resources and are inaccessible by public transit for many users.

Key claims from speakers included: - “This has been a devastating move to many of us,” said Sasha Glenn, a resident and teen center attendee, describing the short notice and lack of an equivalent recording studio or concert venue in the proposed replacements. - “The firehouse was the only place I could feel safe anywhere,” Chester Anderson, a former regular, told the council, calling the site a life‑changing refuge. - “Moving the teen center to Marymoor Village puts it in the middle of an industrial complex,” Jade Cook, a Redmond High senior, said, adding that public transit options to that site are limited and unsafe for many teens.

Several parents and longtime community members reinforced those points, saying the Firehouse’s downtown location is transit‑accessible and that piecemeal relocation of programs will erode the concentrated community and the venue’s historic role as a longtime all‑ages music space. One construction professional and former attendee, Seth Connell, noted that an earlier facilities assessment (posted in meeting minutes) cited hazardous materials and estimated retrofit costs above $2 million but suggested grant and fundraising options exist to address remediation if the city pursues preservation.

Council response and next steps: Mayor Angela Bernie and councilmembers repeatedly told speakers that the only action taken so far was to relocate programs to ensure safety and continuity of services and that no final decision on the building’s future has been made. The council scheduled a study session on April 22 to discuss the matter further; staff invited ongoing written comment and said additional community engagement will follow.

The meeting’s public comment period drew more than 27 in‑person speakers and one remote commenter; the petition referenced during testimony (saveofh.com) reported thousands of signatures. City staff pointed to a web page with FAQs and an engagement plan for teens and families. The council asked staff to bring the issue back for further public discussion and said it will take community input as part of that process.

Ending: For now, programs are operating at alternate locations and staff said they expect the transitions to be complete by late April 2025 while the council and community determine longer‑term decisions about the Old Firehouse building.