As I walked around Downtown Bend this morning checking on the icy conditions within the Downtown Economic Improvement District (EID), I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for all of the love-in-action I saw for our community.  

The City of Bend, Oregon had already sanded the streets of Downtown, multiple building and business owners were out making sure the sidewalks and alcoves of their stores were ready for customers.   I arrived in my own office (predawn) to find my staff already out spreading ice-melt on all of the sidewalks in Downtown Bend.

I am continuously proud of the work that the Downtown Bend Business Association does.  From snow and ice removal to advocacy at City Council  - and everything in between, it feels good to be part of an organization that is committed to the success of the community.

This morning was a good example of just what makes our community so special.  Regular, everyday citizens working together to insure our community is safe and ready for commerce. 

Written by Mindy Aisling, Executive Director, Downtown Bend Business Association

Peterson Roth Gallery is a hidden Downtown Bend gem located on Oregon street in the basement below Silverado Jewelry Gallery. Peterson Roth is Bend's foremost contemporary Gallery, offering it's visitors a distinctive experience that can't be found anywhere else in Bend, Oregon.
Ken Roth, Gallery Director and Artist, has over 20 years of experience in the Bend art community. His unique perspective and unwavering passion nurtures an environment that is perpetually evolving.
Discover the gallery at 206 NW Oregon Ave and feast on the the unique collection of art you will find there.  As a local or a visitor to Bend, this is an experience you don't want to miss and January is the perfect time to drop in and say "Hi".

The importance of taking a time out and creating a nurtured lifestyle is the Bend way.  We believe in work-life balance.  We believe in ski days, coffee dates and afternoon adventures.  Dudley's Bookshop Cafe on Minnesota Ave in the heart of Downtown Bend in the perfect place to carve out an hour or two to browse the shelves for a new book and cozy-in to sit with a great cup of coffee.  With Dudley's friendly staff, relaxed environment, and comfortable couches, you'll leave feeling refreshed and balanced.  Visit Dudley's at 135 NW Minnesota.

Beginning today, parking improvements in downtown Bend will make parking easier, safer and more available for people looking for places to park.

Here are the five changes coming to downtown:

1. Enforcement times will be extended to 7pm to increase turnover for on-street parking and provide better access to businesses during evening hours in the busiest parts of downtown.

2. The ParkMobile app will be available as a quick, easy option for downtown patrons to pay for parking in the Mirror Pond Lots and Centennial Garage. ParkMobile will be the only way to pay for parking at the Greenwood/Wall Lot and Irving Street.

3. Parking permits will change from paper to virtual permits to make paying for and managing parking permits easier for downtown employees.

4. A four-hour time limit will go into effect for the Mirror Pond Lots to increase turnover and make more parking spaces available.

5. New parking rates will support better downtown parking management by encouraging people to park in the right places for the right amount of time, and respond to community expectations for parking availability, equity in opportunities for all downtown patrons, and the economic vitality of downtown.

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“We know these improvements might taking some getting used to,” said Drew Dietrich parking demand manager for the City. “We’re going to start off by focusing our efforts on education first. Then we’ll move into enforcement. Our goal is to help people going downtown make the best use of the limited number of parking stalls and have a better experience while doing it.”
For more information on downtown parking, visit www.bendoregon.gov/parking.
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Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities
To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Joshua Romero at 541-693-2185 or jromero@bendoregon.gov.