Council signals support for second-year downtown association grant, approves six-month funding advance

City staff asked the Redmond City Council on the record to continue a one‑year, $74,000 Urban Renewal grant to support Enjoy Downtown Redmond, a newly formed downtown business association serving as a Main Street–style organizer.

The request came from Chuck Arnold, urban renewal program manager, and Megan (staff), who said the grant would be reimbursement-based and funded from the Urban Renewal Business Development Services Fund. "This is a reimbursement based grant," Megan said, describing quarterly reporting and reimbursements only after expenses are submitted and verified as aligned with the grant agreement.

The grant supports Enjoy Downtown Redmond’s start-up operations and programming, including events, marketing and advocacy between businesses and city staff. Staff said Shannon Hawkins, who stepped in as executive director on a volunteer basis in 2023, has organized about 20 businesses and intends to start a voluntary membership dues program this year to supplement Urban Renewal funding.

Council discussion centered on the city’s general policy against indefinite operational funding for nonprofits and on staging support so the association can become self-sustaining. Councilor (name used in the meeting as) Keith proposed funding the first six months from Urban Renewal and placing the latter six months into the FY25–26 budget process. Staff confirmed the fund identified in the Urban Renewal plan is intended for neighborhood and business development programs and said about half of the originally envisioned allotment remains.

When staff asked if there was consensus to proceed with the six-month approach, the meeting record shows multiple affirmative responses. "Is there a consensus to move forward with this 6 month program? Seeing a lot of yeses," a council speaker said. Councilors agreed staff should report back with regular updates to council and that the association should provide a written six‑month plan for activities before the budgetary review.

Upcoming steps identified by staff include continuing quarterly reimbursement reporting to the Downtown Urban Renewal Advisory Committee (DURAC), working with the city manager to schedule council updates, and assisting the association in developing membership and other revenue streams.

The city staff identified the grant as reimbursement-based and emphasized reporting and verification before funds are disbursed. No formal recorded roll-call vote was taken; the transcript records a council consensus to proceed with the six‑month funded pilot and to consider the remaining funding during the budget process.

Staff and the association will return with details on the six-month plan and regular updates to council.