Bellevue is reopening its 2017 downtown code with Downtown Livability 2.0: land use amendments on small-business space, after-hours vibrancy, housing, and Old Bellevue's historic character, with no changes to building heights, floor area, or parking. 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
The Bellevue Planning Commission advanced the Bel-Red Land Use Code Amendment toward a July 9 public hearing, debating how to fix the prescriptive local street grid, base FAR, fee-in-lieu, and the amenity incentive system, and previewed the scope of Downtown Livability 2.0. Continue Reading
Inside our West Side Story Chamber Lunch with Seattle Metro Chamber CEO Joe Nguyen, Downtown Seattle Association CEO Jon Scholes, and West Coast Commercial Realty's Tiffini Connell on the Jumpstart tax, $10B in lost downtown office value, public-safety cameras, and the 24-day countdown to FIFA. Continue Reading
Bellevue City Council directed staff to draft a four-year, no-cap MFTE Catalyst for the HOMA areas, with a two-year look back and an automatic sunset, choosing the most production-forward option to spur housing in a tough construction market. Continue Reading
Sound Transit CEO Dow Constantine closed the Chamber's 2025-2026 EBRT season with the agency's revised system plan, the path to close a $35B deficit, a fare-gate pilot at up to 14 stations, a coming fleet replacement order, and Sound Transit's all-hands plan for next month's FIFA World Cup. Continue Reading
