Petition To Stop Development of OSU-Cascades' Westside Bend Campus

I am definitely in favor of a well planned, well considered, respectfully implemented four year university. I think it could add a much needed dimension to Bend and its inevitable growth. That OSU has disingenuously asserted that it did not need to develop a master plan because it hadn't yet purchased the additional property, makes it likely that even they know it's an unsuitable location and unable to accommodate a thriving campus due to inappropriate infrastructure.

Why are we allowing OSU and its $100,000 PR machine dictate Bend’s and Central Oregon's future? After all, OSU has and continues to create housing, noise and parking problems in Corvallis to last for generations, so why are we letting them do to Bend what they have done so effectively and irreversibly there? Dr. Ray claims to want to avoid those problems, here, but refuses to meet with citizens here! Why? Is he afraid? He is, as he told us, back in April of 2014, that he "grew up in New York City,… "So one of the things I tell people is that when somebody gets in my face, I get homesick. ... The notion that someone is going to intimidate me is a non-starter." Wow! So, as a cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Queens College, who has a master’s in economics and a doctorate in economics from Stanford and spent 33 years at Ohio State, and as a New Yorker can’t be intimidated, why not come here, listen to citizens and address the issue that threaten to devastate the current culture of the west side? Maybe he is afraid to let people ask him questions? We know that Dr. Becky Johnson isn’t allowed to or can’t! Come on back to Bend, Dr Ray and show us what you got! We will also pay for lunch!

already too much traffic, dangerous roads for pedestrians, especially children. students will park on streets causes host of issues for people who live in area and pay taxes.

I am all for a campus but not where the plan is and not without a proper road system!

Build the university where it will have room for athletic fields, student union(s), theaters/concert halls, and 5000+ students, and room to expand even more!

100% behind a well-placed location with room to grow and not cause the type of gridlock a west side location will have.

Stupid, stupid location. Should not focus on drawing students to down town businesses, focus on education.

Traffic on the west side can be the the worst in Bend, this Was an extremely poor choice in placement.

I totally am not in favor of a campus on the westside. We already have COCC which is in our neighborhood.... & deal w/all of the housing/traffic issues with that. I can't imagine adding another one westside.! Thanks for all that you have done!! Totally support your efforts.

We are 100% for having the university and 150% against the wesrside location!

Putting the profit over community is a bad idea.

Hi Scott! Your letter made quite the impression with Truth in Site and supporters! Thank you for such a well-written piece. Please contact us at [email protected] and we can explain more about the unbridled bias demonstrated by John Costa in the Bulletin.

27th ave would be a much more suitable location for this...

How about building on the north side of Bend to make it an easier commute for both the students of Bend as well as Redmond?

I am completely for an OSU campus in Bend, but completely against putting it in the Westside location. Clearly, it's all about making money for developers and others - including the Bulletin, which stands to get top dollar for their building near the site that they have not been able to sell even in a good market. This is, of course, why the Bulletin speaks out for the Westside site - while simultaneously giving the illusion that it's unbiased. I'm weary of the politcians in Bend following the money instead of following their constituents. You are making deals with the Devil as developers ruin a community - and then move on and leave the local politicians to deal with the angry locals.

Bringing college age students into an already established community creates problems, especially when it comes to housing. Eager students wanting to get out to ski Mt. Bachelor, ride the rapids, bike the trails, etc., will create traffic hazards in the form of students seeing how fast they can negotiate the round-a-bouts (particularly dangerous during winter), racing to the store for beer runs, and congestion. Property crime will go up (don't believe me? take a look at UC Santa Barbara and the college town Isla Vista) as students will steal from the community and each other to afford life's pleasures. Out-of-towners will flock to student dorms for college parties and to off-campus housing rentals where they will create the need (if there already isn't one) for a city noise ordinance due to loud partying and highly amplified music. OSU sporting traditions, while creating revenue for some local establishments, will also test the boundaries for managing alcohol-fueled testosterone attempting to by MORE alcohol with fake ID cards. By bringing 18-23 year old students into the mix to a relatively quiet side of town, OSU and Bend City Council will create a need for a greater police presence. Bend is already short handed on the police force. City Council will have to factor in a budget which allows for the hiring and training of new police personnel to maintain a permanent presence on the west side of Bend. Bend City Council and OSU have FAILED the residents of Bend by denying legitimate community input. Bend City Council and OSU have FAILED the residents of Bend by failing to properly research potential growth for the proposed campus, housing options, parking options, traffic management and maintaining the peace that currently exists within the area of development. Bend City Council and OSU have FAILED to be forthright with the community and as a result, have lost the trust of at least this resident.

I live on the Eastside and think the location is incredibly stupid. I avoid the west side because it ends up being an hour round trip driving. I'm sure it would be much quicker on a bicycle, especially in the snow.

this not the right location

Ok, I want OSU in bend, but a better location is a must!

Very poor due diligence on the part of OSU. No planning for the future. No plan presented for expansion and restoring the pumice mine to use. This could cost several million of taxpayers money that could better be spent on utilities installed on other undeveloped land that surrounds Bend with lots of space for expansion. East of Bend or North of Bend . With so little parking the Bend citizens could not hope to attend any event on the 10 acre parcel.