In 2012, Bend 2030 re-engaged the community in a robust conversation to renew its vision – focusing on planning, economy, environment, health and safety, community, education, arts and culture. Through “Accelerate Bend,” more than 1,500 participants developed strategies to move us forward on the path to a positive, prosperous, more sustainable future. Outcomes included an overall direction for the coming decades, and implementation of a short list of citizen-generated “accelerator” projects designed to make Bend’s preferred future happen even faster.
New Vision Accelerator Projects for Each Focus Area
WELL-PLANNED CITY
Well-Planned City (WPC) focuses on efforts to create a Bend where citizens, businesses, and agencies work closely together to create an urban environment with functional, safe, and well-funded public infrastructure along with open space and accessible places for public gathering. Click here to view projects
CENTRAL AREA PLAN ADVANCEMENT
Transform the central city core with new, vibrant, higher-density mixed-use residential and commercial development.
NEIGHBORHOOD ECODISTRICT PROJECT
Develop one or more neighborhood “ecodistricts” to accelerate neighborhood-scale sustainability.
THIRD STREET REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
Promote a range of improvements to integrate and connect neighborhood and commercial areas on Third Street.
VIBRANT ECONOMY
Vibrant Economy (VE) focuses on efforts to create a Bend where economic growth is strong, healthy and sustainable resulting in living wage jobs for a highly educated and well-trained workforce. It includes economic and workforce development, and diversification of the economy. Click here to view projects
ECONOMIC & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION
Improve and enhance collaboration within Central Oregon’s economic and business development community.
CENTRAL AREA HIGH TECH / CREATIVE DISTRICT
Advance Bend’s “creative economy” building on local knowledge, information and creativity.
COMMUNITY ARTS & EVENTS FACILITY / DESTINATION
Establish a signature arts and events facility as both a community resource and visitor destination for Bend.
QUALITY ENVIRONMENT
Quality Environment (QE) When people talk about Bend’s “high quality of life,” they are often talking about its commitment to maintaining a healthy environment and access to outstanding recreational opportunities within Deschutes County and Bend City limits. It includes being a leader in green building practices/sustainable development, in waste prevention and recycling, in protecting water quality and quantity for multiple uses, and protecting open spaces. Click here to view projects
DESCHUTES RIVER REACH PROJECT
Implement a range of programs to preserve and protect the Deschutes River as Bend’s signature natural legacy.
SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION
Strengthen and enrich Central Oregon’s budding local sustainable food movement.
HEALTHY FORESTS INITIATIVE
Preserve, protect and sustain the good health of the forestlands that surround and permeate Bend.
COMPREHENSIVE WASTE REDUCTION / PREVENTION PLAN
Develop of a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to waste reuse, reduction and recycling.
STRONG COMMUNITY
Strong Community (SC) means that Bend is a community supported by a powerful and compelling vision, open accessible leadership, collaborative community groups and an engaged citizenry which makes its viewpoints known! Click here to view projects
NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS
Reinforce strong, active, connected local neighborhoods and communities through new programs and activities.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM
Advance volunteerism by promoting career development opportunities for students, the unemployed and underemployed.
A CENTER FOR HOPE
Assist community members in critical need of support through a “one-stop” facility for vital resources and services.
COMMUNITY ‘THIRD PLACES’
Create purposeful community spaces throughout the community where people can gather and connect.
SAFE HEALTHY PEOPLE
Safe, Healthy People (SHP) includes interagency cooperation around disaster and emergency preparedness (e.g. fire, H1N1, etc.), poverty awareness and reducing the impact of hunger and homelessness, substance abuse prevention and treatment along with positive youth activities. Click here to view projects
COMMUNITY HEALTH & WELLNESS INITIATIVE
Develop a comprehensive approach to promote health and wellness throughout the community.
PRESCRIPTION TO THRIVE
Bolster the local and regional effort to curb youth obesity.
YOUTH DROP-IN CENTER
Establish a dedicated drop-in center for our at-risk, runaway and/or homeless youth.
SIMPSON AVENUE RECREATION / EDUCATION HUB
Catalyze the vision and partnership between Bend Park and Recreation District and OSU-Cascades.
CREATIVE, LEARNING CULTURE
Creative Learning Culture (CLC) Bend has certainly come a long way from its traditional blue-collar past. A thriving Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and the growing Oregon State University - Cascades branch campus are perhaps the most visible sign of this shift. But, there is now a burgeoning arts community that is playing a major role in the local economy, and the Bend- La Pine School District (now the 7th largest in the state) has modified curriculum, professional development and instructional practice to better prepare students for the 21st Century. Click here to view projects
HIGHER EDUCATION INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE
Create a stronger link between higher education, innovation and enterprise in the region.
CREATIVE ARTS CENTER
Develop a community hub for creative expression of artists and the engagement of audiences.
ARTS & CULTURE ALLIANCE
Build on and advance the successes of Bend’s Arts & Cultural Alliance.
