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City says teen programs will move from Old Firehouse to Marymoor-area community center and senior center; engagement planned
Summary
Parks Director Lorraine Hamilton told the Redmond City Council on March 18 that the Old Firehouse Teen Center will close for safety and condition reasons and that teen programs will move to the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village and the Redmond Senior and Community Center in April.
Parks and Recreation Director Lorraine Hamilton told the Redmond City Council on March 18 that the city will transition teen services out of the Old Firehouse Teen Center because of building-condition and security concerns and is planning program relocations, youth engagement and a council study session on the facility’s future.
Hamilton said facility condition assessments concluded that continuing to operate the roughly 75‑year‑old building posed a risk and required extensive resources to maintain. All teen programs and staff will move out of the Old Firehouse in April; most programs will relocate to the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village and some music and performance programs will use the Redmond Senior and Community Center. Hamilton said the city will provide a teen‑centric drop‑in space at the Marymoor facility and use outdoor venues for performances and events when appropriate.
Hamilton and Mayor Bernie met with teens March 10 to discuss the transition and said teens expressed sadness at losing the longtime space, concern about maintaining drop‑in opportunities and interest in preserving music posters and autonomous programming. Hamilton said the city will launch a website and online questionnaire at the end of March and will hold virtual and in-person engagement sessions in places teens frequent; a final report will be delivered this summer and council will have a touchpoint in September on engagement findings. A separate council study session on the future of the Old Firehouse facility is scheduled for April 22.
Council members emphasized keeping youth voices central. Vice President Forsyth offered to connect the city to local recording‑industry contacts who could assist with the music studio; Hamilton said the city welcomes external partnerships. Councilmember Stewart asked staff to track program and participant numbers during the transition to ensure continuity of services.
Ending: The city will move teen programs in April, start public engagement at the end of March, and bring a facility discussion to council on April 22; staff and council asked for further detail on outreach plans and a celebration to mark the Old Firehouse’s history.
