Teens, residents press Redmond council to reopen Old Firehouse after March program moves; city orders engineering review

Dozens of teens and residents urged the Redmond City Council on May 6 to reverse or better explain the March relocation of teen programs from the Old Firehouse teen center, saying the move disrupted services, removed a youth-specific venue and left young people feeling unheard.

Mayor Angela Birney told the council the city moved teen programs in March because "the old firehouse building faces serious challenges, including the presence of hazardous materials and structural issues." Birney said the city has been maintaining the building to keep it safe but that the work has become "increasingly demanding and unsustainable." She said no final decision has been made about the building's future and that the council will decide next steps through a public process.

Why it matters: the Old Firehouse has operated as an…