Local companies step up to landscape Bend roundabouts
Two prominent Bend companies are teaming up to help the City keep its signature roundabouts looking beautiful.
Brooks Resources Corporation and William Smith Properties, Inc. will donate their resources to landscape Bend’s 20 roundabouts that include public art. The Bend Foundation, established by Brooks-Scanlon, Brooks Resources and their shareholders, and Art in Public Places will also participate in funding the project. The City has cut back on landscaping expenses over the past several years due to budget reductions and has relied on a volunteer program to do the work.
“On behalf of the City, I want to thank Brooks Resources and William Smith Properties for their civic pride and dedication to the quality of life in Bend,” said City Manager Eric King. “This type of public/private partnership shows the tremendous community spirit that exists in this city.”
After landscaping work is completed, the two companies will create recommended maintenance requirements for the roundabouts that volunteers will be able to follow in the future.
Brooks Resources Corporation has created some of Central Oregon’s most recognizable real estate communities, including NorthWest Crossing, a joint venture with Tennant Developments, North Rim, RiverWild, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, and Mount Bachelor Village Resort.
William Smith Properties developed the Old Mill District and has provided support to more than 100 local and regional non-profit organizations since 2000.
Bend drinking water wins best tasting award
Bend’s water was awarded first prize at the Annual Best Tasting Water Contest held by the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade to Coast subsection of the American Water Works Association.
The water sample from the City of Bend, taken from the City’s surface water source springs, won first place this year with a score of 95 out of 120 points. A number of factors contribute to the taste of tap water, including its source, treatment process, pipes and reservoirs. Judges, after a blind taste test, rated water samples based on odor, flavor, and aftertaste. Bend’s water was described as “clean, crisp, and grassy,” with a “nice aftertaste.”
The four judges included a brewery owner, a winemaker, a water analysis systems company official, and a former National Football League fullback. Thirteen water utilities submitted samples to compete for the title on Feb. 16, 2012, in Eugene. Contestants followed strict guidelines for collecting and storing water samples. This was the fifth year of the competition.
As winner of this year’s contest, the City of Bend is eligible to compete for the Pacific Northwest Section title of Best Tasting Water May 2-4 in Yakima, WA.
The Bend Public Works Department plans to improve the surface water infrastructure to provide continued access to cost effective, clean, and reliable drinking water for Bend residents and businesses now and for the future. More information about the Surface Water Improvement project is available online: www.bendoregon.gov/surfacewater.
Bend Public Transit Plan Issues/Opportunities Map
View Bend Public Transit Plan Issues/Opportunities Map in a larger map
Please use the map to identify issues and/or opportunities for or related to transit in Bend, including walking, bicycling, getting dropped off, or driving to/from a bus stop. (Instructions to identify information is provided on the Google map application.)
Bend Public Transit Survey
The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization has just kicked off a Public Transit Plan for the city of Bend and would like to obtain input from you.
Complete a survey and be entered to win one of two $50 gift cards, gift certificates generously donated by the Old Mill District and the Downtown Bend Business Association, or bus passes.
Winners will be selected from surveys completed by March 9, 2012.
Take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BendTransitSurvey
If you have questions about the survey, or for more information about the project, please review this project website or email tdeke@ci.bend.or.us. Thank you for your interest in shaping the future of public transit in Bend.
Note: This survey is intended for people who reside, work, OR attend school/college in Bend.
For the purposes of this survey, “Bend” refers to the city of Bend and nearby unincorporated areas such as Deschutes River Woods.
The questionnaire should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
All responses are confidential and will only be reported in aggregate. Submission of the completed questionnaire will be interpreted as your informed consent to participate and that you affirm that you are at least 16 years of age.