Redmond voters should elect John Marchione for a third term as mayor.
REDMOND’S recent growth — including the densification of its downtown — is providing great fodder for a contentious mayoral race.
Debate over how the city is managing its evolution is welcome. That doesn’t mean it’s time for a wholesale change, however.
Overall, Redmond is making positive changes and is well-managed. For these reasons, incumbent Mayor John Marchione remains the best choice for voters in November’s election.
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John Marchione
Redmond mayor
Strengths: At Mayor Marchione's helm, Redmond has been a model for thoughtful growth management. He's been a strong advocate for the city's interests on regional planning boards.
Marchione — a former budget officer for King County and the Safeco Field ballpark authority — has proved himself an adept manager through Redmond’s ups and downs over the last eight years."
Marchione — a former budget officer for King County and the Safeco Field ballpark authority — has proved himself an adept manager through Redmond’s ups and downs over the last eight years. He’s also a strong advocate for the city on regional governing bodies, including the boards of Sound Transit and the Puget Sound Regional Council.
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The city has had growth pains. Some residents decry the gentrification and style of high-density development that’s surged in Redmond’s downtown under Marchione’s watch. Being responsive to these concerns should be a priority for his next term.
But overall, Redmond continues to be a model of thoughtful growth management, prioritizing livability, backing industry and enabling density where it’s supported by services and infrastructure. It could teach Seattle a thing or two.
Redmond’s development- fee structure has made growth pay for its impacts. Marchione has guided continuing investments in amenities such as trails and parks while contributing to the formation of OneRedmond, the new economic-development partnership between the city and private companies.
Challenger Steve Fields operates a coffee shop — Down Pour on Old Redmond Road — but has a strong background in government and finance. He managed projects for King County and former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn after a business career including stints at Western Wireless and Nextel.
Fields is critical of how Redmond is managing its growth and development. He also personifies small-business owners affected by Redmond’s bureaucracy and transformation into a bigger city. But, in an interview, he was not able to back up his allegations of city mismanagement with specifics.
Fields has a lot to contribute, but perhaps he should start with more engagement — serving on a board or commission, for instance — before seeking the city’s top job.