What should happen to the charming historic house on the river in downtown Bend?  

A new issue has come to light that the Bend City Council appears to be taking far too lightly. This is the preservation of a vital icon to the City of Bend, the historic Goodwillie-Allan-Rademacher House in downtown Bend on the river It has been Arts Central’s headquarters since 1994, but the organization will be moving this month because of unpleasant loitering and criminal activities occurring in the square adjacent to the facility as well as issues over the use of the space as an income generating gallery and the taxes owed on the property (the City of Bend owns the property and leased it to Arts Central for $1 a year).

Arts Central was a wonderful tenant for the space, bringing community members as well as tourists to the site for numerous types of gatherings. Someone from the City of Bend should have made an effort to keep them there or at least have a plan for a future viable tenant.

While Arts Central may be better suited to conduct its classes and arts advocacy from the Art Station in the Old Mill District, the use of the historic building should be a priority for the council. The building is the highlight of the riverfront square in downtown Bend where numerous activities and special events have occurred over the years. The city council must take a leadership role in not only securing the property from unsavory activities but finding a long term suitable use for the building, one that will best serve the community. pha