Recently, members of the Brooks Resources Corporation and Tennant Development sales and development teams gathered at Compass Park to celebrate the successful run of West Bend Property Company (WBPC), the joint venture responsible for bringing NorthWest Crossing to life, and the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the development in 2001.
The gathering marked the culmination of a partnership that began in 1999, when Brooks Resources and Tennant Developments formed West Bend Property Company to purchase approximately 486 acres on Bend’s west side from the Miller family. At the closing table that year were Bill Miller, Mike Hollern, Chairman of Brooks Resources Corporation, and Mike Tennant, President of Tennant Developments, signing the documents that would launch one of Central Oregon’s most transformative community development projects.
At the time, Bend was experiencing rapid growth, but much of the west side lacked the neighborhood amenities residents desired. Schools, parks, shops, restaurants, offices, and gathering places were largely separated from residential areas, requiring residents to drive across town for many daily needs. Brooks Resources and Tennant Development saw an opportunity to create something different on Bend’s west side: a complete community where people could live, work, shop, learn, and recreate within walking or biking distance of home.
The vision for NorthWest Crossing was ambitious and, for Bend, groundbreaking. Drawing from traditional neighborhood development principles, the master plan prioritized walkability, connectivity, diverse housing options, neighborhood parks, schools, and a vibrant mixed-use commercial center. Working alongside the City of Bend, the development team helped pioneer planning approaches and code updates that supported a more integrated, pedestrian-oriented model of growth.
Over the next quarter century, that vision steadily became reality. What was once open land has evolved into one of Bend’s most vibrant and sought-after neighborhoods. Today, NorthWest Crossing is home to thousands of residents, thriving businesses, schools, parks, trails, community events, and a neighborhood center that serves as a hub of activity year-round.
Along the way, NorthWest Crossing helped demonstrate that thoughtful planning and long-term investment could create a stronger sense of community while preserving the character and natural beauty that make Central Oregon special. The neighborhood’s success influenced development patterns throughout Bend and helped establish new expectations for what a master-planned community could be.
Its legacy can be seen just to the west in Discovery West, the newest community being developed by the same team that built NorthWest Crossing. Discovery West builds upon many of the lessons learned at NorthWest Crossing, including an emphasis on walkability, mixed-use development, housing diversity, open space, and community gathering places. While each neighborhood has its own unique identity, NorthWest Crossing provided the foundation and confidence to continue advancing a vision of connected, livable communities in Bend.
As West Bend Property Company concludes its work, there is much to celebrate. What began with a land purchase and a bold vision has become one of Bend’s defining neighborhoods and a lasting example of successful community building. NorthWest Crossing shines as a testament to the power of partnership, patience, and thoughtful planning, and to the enduring impact a shared vision can have on a community.
