Redmond council votes 6–0 to rebuild Old Firehouse teen center at same site, prioritize music and teen design

Redmond City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to rebuild the Old Firehouse teen center on its existing site, directing staff to prioritize expedience, center teen voices in design and include dedicated music performance and a recording studio.

The decision followed extensive public comment from teens, community stakeholders and nonprofit partners. David Morton and other stakeholder representatives said the rebuild scored highest in a multi‑objective analysis that considered accessibility, sustainability and community sentiment. Morton noted the rebuild's longer life span (presented as 50+ years) versus renovation (15–25 years) and supported planning for a three‑year construction timeline.

Councilmember Anderson moved an amendment to change the motion to a renovation instead of a rebuild, arguing community members had asked for shorter‑term improvements that would reopen the space sooner. Councilmember Fields and others pressed for more technical evaluation of renovation options and raised concerns about the level of study provided so far. Parks Director Hamilton told council that an engineering firm (Pertit and McKenzie) had conducted a condition assessment: a smaller renovation is possible but unknown factors—such as the extent of wood rot—cannot be determined without opening walls and conducting more invasive investigation. Hamilton said some renovation options could be done sooner but could create repeated mobilization costs that raise overall expense.

Council debate centered on two tradeoffs: reopen sooner via a more limited renovation versus build once with greater longevity. Council Vice President Forsyth and Council President Kritzker said the building’s age and documented structural and hazardous‑materials deficiencies weighed in favor of a rebuild to avoid repeated, costly repairs. After votes on amendments failed, the main motion to rebuild passed 6–0.

The motion (AM 25‑184) was introduced and moved by Councilmember Anderson and seconded by Council Vice President Forsyth; the record shows a roll‑call vote in which Councilmembers Fields, Forsyth, Stewart, Nueva Camino, Anderson and Council President Kritzker voted yes. The motion instructs staff to center teen participation in design, include music and recording facilities, and expedite construction. Details about budget adjustments, final design, and procurement timelines were not decided at the meeting and will be addressed in subsequent staff work and public engagement phases.

Several public commenters urged preserving the firehouse’s cultural features and elevating teen voices. Teen speakers described the center’s role as a unique social and creative space; community members and former stakeholders asked for transparency in the stakeholder process and stressed the need for ongoing engagement.

Next steps: staff will move forward with implementation planning under the direction given by council and will return with specific project budgets, timelines and procurement steps. Councilmembers said they will remain engaged throughout design and construction to protect the teen‑centered commitments contained in the motion.