The latest & greatest on all things Bellevue, Eastside, and Chamber-member-related.
Our June PLUSH Committee recap: Bellevue's Downtown Livability 2.0 code refresh (no height or FAR changes), the push to fix BelRed's rigid 300-foot street grid, parking reform, and a looming electricity-capacity crunch that could throttle Eastside growth. Continue Reading
Every year, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce asks a simple question: what are Bellevue voters actually thinking? Answering it well takes a rigorous instrument, a consistent method held steady over time, and the patience to listen even when the answers are complicated. Continue Reading
Every few weeks a new economic ranking shows Washington at the head of the pack, or scraping bottom. Here's the analysis and the tool to help explain the contradiction. Continue Reading
WaFd Bank CEO Brent Beardall's Mid-Year Economic Forecast: a resilient U.S. economy with 2%+ GDP and a Fed holding rates, set against Washington's rising taxes, capital flight, and a housing supply crunch, plus a strong banking quarter and his year-nine predictions. Now with video. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Mobility Coalition met June 17 with city transportation leaders on a proposed $500,000 Transportation Master Plan, a redesigned five-program capital budget, and 17 underperforming intersections, then set its priorities for the city's upcoming budget hearing. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Transportation Commission declined to relax the city's V/C intersection performance targets after the Bellevue Mobility Coalition urged the city to study congestion solutions first, directing staff to evaluate engineering alternatives while upholding existing standards. Continue Reading
The Port of Seattle launched its 2027 budget season in Bellevue with roughly 40 East King County leaders. Inside the conversation on inflation, tourism capacity, and a new openness to expanding service at existing airports. Continue Reading
June's Transportation Committee heard Bellevue's FIFA World Cup readiness plan, then Councilmember Claudia Balducci explained her no vote on Sound Transit's realignment and where Eastside advocacy goes next. Continue Reading
The Bellevue Chamber has joined the Washington Student Success Coalition to prepare for the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, a new federal program that could direct an estimated $732 million a year to Washington students if the state opts in before the January 1, 2027 launch. Continue Reading
Bellevue's Planning Commission confirmed the scope of Downtown Livability 2.0 and moved the BelRed land use code toward street grid flexibility, higher base density, and a simpler amenity system ahead of the July 9 public hearing. Here is what it means for Eastside businesses and housing. Continue Reading
The Chamber presented its case to rethink BelRed's prescriptive street grid: $1,000 per lineal foot costs, fragmented ownership across 32 landowners, and no traffic-based need per the city's own EIS. Four recommendations would keep connectivity while letting housing move forward. Continue Reading
Inside the June Policy Council: Bellevue's federal agenda wins including a $2M Grand Connection earmark, the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit's $700M-a-year potential for Washington schools, and our vote to join the Washington Student Success Coalition. Continue Reading
