BEND, OR -- Envision Bend wants to start a community conversation about the future of the railroad. Executive Director Matt Muchna says it was one of the top issues in a recent poll of more than 3,500 people in Deschutes County, "People were concerned about traffic congestion. They were concerned about public safety, concerned about what's being transported through town, and they were concerned about the noise of the trains."

Muchna tells KBND News two large switchyards were busy when Bend was a big timber town. But now, they’re largely unused. "If we took away the extra tracks in the switchyards and repurposed them for a rail with trail, or repurposed them for a park or public art, or even for commerce, how could this become an amenity instead of a safety and just a solely a problematic thing?"

He knows it’s a big conversation, and one a lot of people seem to be afraid to start, "Oftentimes we don’t talk about it because the railroad kind of feels on the same level as God," says Muchna, "Can we really change fate? Can we move the railroad? And I think it’s a big ‘what if?’ But, if we don’t start talking about it and exploring what’s possible, I don’t think anything will happen."

Envision Bend hosts an event Thursday evening with representatives from Bend Parks and Rec, the city of Bend, ODOT, local business owners and other. Since announcing the event, he says early feedback has been interesting, "I’ve been getting a lot of emails this week of, ‘are you nuts?! This is a huge thing. You can’t move the railroad.’ And I kind of love that because I think part of Envision Bend’s role is saying, ‘Okay, what’s possible? Let’s dream a little bit.’ And then, work backwards."

Thursday's "Railroad safety and redevelopment vision" conversation is at Bevel Brewing (911 SE Armour Rd. Bend) from 4:30 to 6 p.m. It's free and family-friendly. Pre-register HERE. 

photo courtesy of Envision Bend