The big news in Redmond this week is actually big news.

The largest housing project in the city’s history took a step forward this week. The project, which will now be known as Northpoint Vista, has a rough price tag of $140 million and could bring 450 mixed-use homes into northeast Redmond. It’s a massive project that would likely change East Redmond as we know it today — bringing a mix of apartment buildings and single family homes and commercial development, too, which would be needed to sell groceries and hamburgers to all those new residents. It’s in its early planning stages, but read up on where we are now.

We also have stories this week on a brand-new, indoor climbing gym opening in Remond. No longer does bad weather cancel and trip to Smith Rock and force you to the couch all weekend. Now, you can practice your moves, make friends and plans at the new bouldering gym. Check out this week’s edition to learn more.

The gym is one step forward for indoor, family-friendly options in Redmond. That’s something DURAC and the city of Redmond have been looking to recruit to town for years. We’ll have an update on how that search for a family fun center is going in Redmond.

Our opinion page each week continues to be chockfull of local writers and their ideas. You can find them all online at www.redmondspokesman.com/opinion. This week’s topics ranged from ideas for protecting spotted frogs (and farmers) to a new pride festival planned for the town. Former editor Carl Vertrees wrote a really fun remembrance of all the businesses that have dotted Redmond over recent (and not so recent) decades. 

We remind you again that we welcome all kinds of thoughts from the community. If you agree or disagree with those opinions, send me an email at ttrainor@redmondspokesman.com or call 541-548-3203 and we’ll work to publish your thoughts and see what readers think about it.

Thanks to your support, we’re seeing strong subscription growth, but we need to keep that momentum growing in order to pay for more staff and put out a better product each and every week.

Call 541-923-1370 or go to redmondspokesman.com and we’ll get you signed up at an affordable price. That’s without a doubt the best way to support our work and get informed about your community.

To reach our newsroom, stop by our office — located at 361 SW Sixth — from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We’re happy to chat about anything.

— Tim Trainor is editor of the Redmond Spokesman.