After reading the Redmond Reporter article dated Feb. 6 about the Nokomis building property, I would like to express concern about the future use of this property. I picked up a green flier on the site and found the specifics about the future building. Nowhere in the Reporter article does it mention that the property will house 96 200-square-feet sleeping units with only 29 parking spaces. Though we already have many six-story high-rise apartments and condos in the downtown area, this is very high-density use. I understand that the developer is interested in “affordable” and green housing in the downtown corridor but 200 square feet sounds very small and more like a dormitory than “affordable” housing.

Does Redmond have the goods and services that the residents of this housing need to help sustain the lifestyle? We have very few delicatessens and reasonably priced restaurants in downtown Redmond. I am not certain that we have a laundromat in the vicinity either. Will there be laundry facilities in the building?

Another concern is that the Nokomis building was built in the 1930s by the Work Progress Administration and is one of the only buildings from that era that has survived. Some of the landmarked buildings in Old Town might meet the criteria, but surely an historical use can be found for this structure so that it can remain part of Redmond’s history. It would also be useful for community gatherings.

For the sake of historic preservation, I ask that the owner, builder and the City of Redmond find a way to preserve this part of our Redmond heritage.

Doris Townsend, Redmond