Envision Bend

One of the coolest projects to witness this year was the 'Solarizing Bend' or now the 'Solarize Deschutes!' vision strategy come to life! The 5+ year vision? Turn Central Oregon into the solar capital of the PNW. A next step? Reduce barriers and increase access to solar for Central OR homeowners. Early Conversations with The Environmental Center and Energize Bend centered on wanting to take this vision strategy head on! They were and have remained laser focused on reducing barriers for homeowners to install solar and channeling incentives to those who do. Two workshops coming up next week to learn more! Or simply submit a bid online, someone will follow up! Thanks for your shared excitement and help spreading the word about this campaign. Sept. 9: In-person workshop, The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave. Bend, OR, 97703, 5-6 p.m. Sept. 10: In-person workshop, SCP Redmond Hotel, 521 SW 6th St., Suite 100, Redmond, OR 97756, 5-6 p.m. https://lnkd.in/g5_9vxZY

Grateful to have a conversation with Aaron Switzer at The Source recently for the Bend Dont Break podcast! From Your Community in 2000... to Bend 2030 in 2005/2006... Accelerate Bend in 2012... SuperForums in 2014-2015... Livability Conference in 2016... Move Bend Coalition in 2017... Civic Equity Project in 2018... and recent Vision Action Plan 2022-2023... Central Oregon has a legacy of coming together to help shape our future. We certainly have our issues and basic human needs remain unmet for many individuals here, but our ability to pause and listen, dream a little bit, and lean into our collaborative spirit will guide us forward. https://lnkd.in/g-4YaaBa

When many hear “Child care” they primarily think of support for infants to age 5. However, before-school and after-school programs are crucial pieces in the puzzle.? Access to quality and affordable child care is not only a concern for working parents in our community but also for large employers. We invite you to join Envision Bend, NeighborImpact, and the Boys & Girls Club of Bend on Tuesday, August 20th from 5:00-6:30 pm at the Deschutes Library in Downtown Bend (601 NW Wall Street). Register for the event here! https://lnkd.in/gtnK-MK6 Join this no-cost, family-friendly event to learn more from local leaders, share your feedback, and join the conversation.

Can we move the railroad? What about moving the switchyards outside of town?? There are two switchyards in Bend's Urban Growth Boundary - south and central. The south switchyard from Murphy Road (shown here) runs north nearly a mile to Reed Market. The central switchyard extends nearly 2 miles from where it crosses 3rd Street up along the Hwy 97 to Bulter Market Road. How can a public safety and traffic concern be turned into a community amenity to increase safety, connectivity, public art, and commerce?? Join us Bevel Craft Brewing (911 SE Armour Rd) on Thursday, June 27th from 4:30-6:00pm to learn more, share your feedback, and join the conversation. Free and family friendly! We will have a kid-zone set up. Sign up to join: https://lnkd.in/gxvcR9PZ [Photo of south railroad switchyard in Bend's UGB, taken from Murphy Rd near Alpenglow Park]

We are excited to Launch the Vision Roadshow on June 1st focused on the Drake-2-Juniper park corridor for biking/waling/rolling. This community strategy in the Vision Action Plan furthers the vision for the Hawthorne bridge to further promote connectivity across town between downtown and the Core Area. This vision is so much more than a bike path; it is catalyzing action and bringing people together to share what we need as we co-create our future. What is the current status? Where are the biggest hurdles and pinch-points? Join City of Bend Allison Platt and Bend Bikes for both a group bike ride at 9am and group discussion at 10am - join for either event or both at The Commons Cafe! Plan to join us? Bringing a friend or family member? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/dmDKRZFp Read the write up from KTVZ: https://lnkd.in/dYcZ6fzy

Connectivity between East-West Bend was one of a main concerns we heard creating the Vision Action Plan - there are steps underway to improve this! Check out the Survey and Open House on Tuesday, 9th to give feedback on the Greenwood, Hawthorne, and Franklin crossings of Hwy 97. As called out in the Vision Action Plan, a Pedestrian Corridor is needed from Juniper-2-Drake park to further enhance connectivity and safety for those looking to walk, bike, or roll. The Hawthorne bridge and improvements to the Midtown Crossings both play vital roles in making this vision strategy a reality. More info from KTVZ: https://lnkd.in/g_BE6bXi

Thrilled to celebrate the recent news that Kelly Cannon-Miller, Executive Director of the Deschutes County Historical Society and Envision Bend Board Member, will be receiving the Oregon Heritage Excellence award later this month! Kelly has been a vital part of Envision Bend since 2021 and provides a constant reminder that we need to learn from our past in order to plan for our future. Join us in celebrating Kelly's well-deserved accomplishment! Write-up up from KTVZ: https://lnkd.in/gcQMSp8v

Fun sharing the Vision Action Plan with Bend Young Professionals yesterday! Thanks for having us. It was high energy with about 50 entrepreneurial individuals sharing ideas and making new connections. We discussed climate strategies, increasing community resilience through relationships, and ideas to increase workforce development at scale for Greater Bend. About 1/3 had heard of the Vision Plan before and similarly about 1/3 have lived in the area more than 5 years, with 6 or 7 people living here since 2000 (unofficial hand poll counting...) Great having our Board Vice-Chair, Sarah Holcombe of Deschutes Land Trust join as well! #BendOregon #CommunityVision #Envisionbend #communityvisioning

It was special to bring 40+ Vision Lead Partners together back on Leap Day in February at Open Space Studios! Envision Bend has asked these vision partners to not only take ownership of the strategies in the community's vision, but also to help track our progress in 2024. What did we learn? There are many ongoing initiatives with little awareness, even between community leaders. And most of the challenges we face on any given strategy are not unique and are felt across organizations, which provides an opportunity to collaborate and find creative solutions at a community scale. Envision Bend will continue to convene partners, inspire action through engagement, and steward progress of the Vision Action Plan in 2024. Stay tuned for late spring and summer events! #Envisionbend #BendOregon #communityvisioning