Outside of downtown, the commercial sections of the community generally show a lack of order and relationship between buildings and their sites. Although commercial areas make up only about three percent of the urban land area, they are often along the most frequently traveled routes and have a strong influence on the “look” of Bend. The development of automobile oriented businesses along the highways, coupled with the increase in national food, gasoline, and retail chains, have done more to set the current image of Bend than any other single factor.

If the overall community appearance is to improve, it is important that the businesses within the commercial districts and local governments work together to improve the site design, building design, landscaping, signs and interconnections between properties. Several design considerations, examples of which are presented below, can improve the appearance of a development and keep it more competitive as Bend’s commercial sector becomes more sophisticated:

Other structures that have an impact on the appearance of the commercial corridors are the electric power transmission and distribution lines. Most of the corridors have wooden poles, but larger and taller rust-colored metal poles for high voltage lines have been erected along Highway 97 South and the parts of the Parkway. In addition to the visual impact of the poles themselves, other utility lines for local power, telephones, and cable are also hung on these poles below the electric transmission lines thereby creating a ladder effect of lines and visual clutter. Eliminating or relocating the system of above ground utility poles and cables along the commercial corridors will improve the appearance of the commercial areas.