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Redmond details preservation plans and timetable for old Firehouse Teen Center replacement
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Summary
City staff outlined plans to celebrate the old Firehouse Teen Center on April 4, salvage and digitize artifacts with the Redmond Historical Society, demolish the old building this spring, release an RFQ for design in 4–6 weeks, and pursue a 12–18 month design followed by 18–24 months of construction.
Redmond staff provided a project update on the old Firehouse Teen Center on March 24, outlining preservation steps, a community celebration, a demolition timeline and next steps for design and construction.
Parks Director Lauren Hamilton and public works staff said teen programming has moved to the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village with expanded hours and growing participation; staff noted on-site counseling partnerships and a variety of creative programming. Staff described a preservation effort that catalogued posters, soundboards and other historically significant items, which are currently stored in climate-controlled city space and may be digitized or archived in collaboration with the Redmond Historical Society.
The RFP for demolition has closed and a contract is being negotiated with demolition aimed for later this spring, staff said. An RFQ for a design team is expected to be released in approximately 4–6 weeks; staff estimated design would take roughly 12–18 months and construction another 18–24 months depending on scope and delivery method. "We are following all contracting, purchasing and state processes," staff said, while pursuing an expedited timetable.
Staff also described the April 4 celebration outside the old Firehouse Teen Center (2–6 p.m.) that will include performances, alumni participation, a memory collection activity and a jam tent intended to recreate the organic music scene of the former center. They said event production and weather contingencies are in place and that the Redmond Historical Society will staff a booth about archiving artifacts.
Councilmembers asked whether salvaging had uncovered historically significant items; staff said a salvaging company had inspected the facility and found no items that staff judged appropriate for preservation beyond a few doors and fixtures. Staff said they will identify and handle any unexpected finds discovered during demolition or wall openings in coordination with appropriate procedures.
Next steps: finalize demolition contract, issue the RFQ for design, and bring a design contract forward for council consideration later this summer.
