As a Redmond business owner (three blocks down the street from Frankie’s) and resident, I’m living through all of the change and am getting involved to try to make life better for Redmond.

While I understand sentimentality and I agree that life is better when there are unique local businesses, I don’t understand the criticism of city government or property owners. None of you critics would follow your own advice if you were in the position to do so. You’d be dooming your children to declining standard of living. Life in Redmond was not better 20-plus years ago. The local government is obligated to service the now and build for the future. Property owners would be foolish to leave a dumpy underutilized building in place when it can support new retail while also expanding housing that directly helps balance supply and demand, keep rental rates in check. Hotels in Redmond reduce commuter traffic from Bellevue while bringing in business travelers who spend money and generate tax revenue at local businesses.

In closing, I’ll re-emphasize that on a daily basis, my livelihood is impacted by the construction and change but my approach, and the approach I encourage Redmond residents to follow, is to adapt to the changing world and figure out how you can make life better for people rather than just grumble and criticize from a safe distance.

JD Klein

Minuteman Press of Redmond