Placemaking Award Honorees

The BDA Placemaking Award recognizes individuals and organizations that make Downtown Bellevue a more vibrant urban environment.

2025

Skanska – The Eight Development
Sterling Realty Organization – Symetra Center's Lobby Reimagining
Visit Bellevue – Creative Tourism Programing
Vulcan Real Estate – Development of 555 Tower and West Main

2024

John Schoettler receives the Placemaking Award for his 23 years leading Amazon’s global real estate portfolio and driving the company’s transformative expansion in downtown Bellevue.

His leadership helped bring millions of square feet of office and community space, eight new buildings, and 25,000 employees to the urban core — alongside major investments in transit, housing, and local nonprofits that continue to shape Bellevue’s future.

“With John’s leadership, Amazon has done truly remarkable things for Bellevue and the region,” said presenter Trinity Parker, Symetra CMO.

2023

Ross Jacobson receives the John Boespflug City Builder Award for decades of civic leadership that helped shape downtown Bellevue.

Through more than 20 years on the BDA board, service as board chair, leadership with the Bellevue Chamber, and 30+ years with Bellevue Rotary, his sustained commitment has strengthened the city’s business and community foundation.

“This award is the BDA’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who have shaped downtown Bellevue through dedicated effort,” said presenter Sarah Langton, co-founder and partner at Langton Spieth LLC.

2022

Mary’s Place receives the Placemaking Award for creating a safe, innovative shelter solution for women, children, and families experiencing homelessness in downtown Bellevue. By transforming a former hotel into an emergency shelter supporting 200 family members with housing, resources, and employment services, the organization has provided stability, dignity, and hope to the community.

2020

City of Bellevue | Meydenbauer Bay Park (Phase I)

2019

Cultural Vitality: John Su, Su Development for SOMA Towers
John Boespflug City Builder: Stacy Graven

2018

Kemper Freeman and Kemper Development Company receive the Placemaking Award for delivering the Lincoln Square expansion, the largest private construction project in downtown Bellevue’s history.

The 750,000-square-foot development reshaped the skyline with offices, retail, dining, and hospitality, strengthening The Bellevue Collection and creating a vibrant destination for workers, residents, and visitors.

“The Lincoln Square expansion has transformed our skyline and the corner of Northeast Fourth and Bellevue Way,” said presenter Patrick Bannon, BDA President.

The City of Bellevue and Rotary Club of Bellevue receive the Placemaking Award for 34 years of leadership on Downtown Park’s Closing the Circle project and Inspiration Playground. Their collaboration completed a world-class urban park and an inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, reinforcing Bellevue’s commitment to accessibility, diversity, and community.

“It is iconic, memorable and beautiful and has played a major role in the growth and success of downtown Bellevue,” said presenter Patrick Bannon, BDA President.

2017

Community Treasure: KidsQuest Children’s Museum, move and opening in Downtown
Community Treasure: Bellevue Boys & Girls Club, opening of new clubhouse

2014

Cultural Treasure: Eastside Heritage Center
Distinguished Community Service: Dr. Don Davidson

2013

Arts Champion: Mary Pat Byrne
Community Treasure: Bellevue Botanical Garden Society
Opening of the Year: Bake’s Place
Commute Champion: HNTB
Groundbreaking of the Year: Su Development
Cultural Catalyst: The Bellevue Collection
Leadership: Leslie Lloyd

2012

Community Treasure: Bellevue LifeSpring and Bellevue Rotary Club
Commute Champion: CH2M HILL
Deal of the Year: East Link Project Memorandum of Understanding, Sound Transit and City of Bellevue
Opening of the Year: Bellevue Braids Project, Washington State Department of Transportation
Place Maker of 2011: Visit Bellevue Washington
Leadership: Grant Degginger

2011

Residential Development: Avalon Towers Bellevue
Cultural Catalyst: Tateuchi Center Campaign
Move of the Year: Bungie to Bellevue
Opening of the Year: Seattle Children’s Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center
Commute Champion: Tetra Tech INCA
John Boespflug City Builder: Matt Terry

2010

Placemaking Award: The Bravern
Hotel Expansion: Hyatt Regency Bellevue
Downtown Employer: Microsoft Corporation
Office Development: City Center Plaza
Skyline Award: elementsToo
Residential Development: TEN20
Commute Champion: Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Bellevue
Community Service: YWCA Angeline's Eastside Women's Center & The Sophia Way
BDA Champion & Leadership Recognition: Jill Ostrem

2009

Civic Partner of the Year: Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department
Community Treasure: Bellevue Regional Library
Commute Champion: Symetra Financial
Lease of the Year: Microsoft Lease at City Center Plaza
Move of the Year: Expedia
Skyline Award: Bellevue Towers
John Boespflug City Builder: Suzanne Baugh

2008

Lease of the Year: Microsoft at Bravern and Advanta
Street of the Year: Main Street
Community Treasure: Overlake Hospital and Medical Center
Placemaker: The Meydenbauer Center
Commute Champion: PACCAR Inc
John Boespflug City Builder: John Valaas

2007

Community Treasure: Bellevue City Hall
Gutsy Move of the Year: The Parlor Billiards & Spirits
Public Official of the Year: Ron Kessack, City of Bellevue Transportation Department
Tradition Builder: Group Health for the Group Health Ice Arena
Deal of the Year: Microsoft at Lincoln Square
Leadership: Peter Horvitz, Horvitz Newspapers
Corporate Citizenship: Symetra Financial

2006

Place Maker: Kemper Development Company for The Bellevue Collection
Community Builder: Bellevue Farmers Market
Transaction of the Year: Schnitzer Northwest, LLC, for Civica Office Commons
Tradition Builder: Jennifer Leavitt, Kemper Development Company, for Snowflake Lane
Phoenix Award: Stu Vander Hoek and the Vander Hoek Corporation
Business of the Year: PACCAR, Inc.
Deal of the Year: Eddie Bauer Tower Lease with Ron Smith, Kemper Development Company; Jim Kinerk, The Broderick Group; Mark Borison, Eddie Bauer; and Patricia Loveall, GVA Kidder Mathews

2005

Deal of the Year: Symetra Financial Lease (Symetra & Equity Office)
Leadership: Mayor Connie Marshall
Groundbreaking Development of the Year: OHMC/Group Health Joint Venture
Downtown Steward Award: Charrette Steering Committee
Skyline Maker: Gerry Gerron
Tradition Builder: City of Bellevue Parks Department
Community Treasure: Eastside Heritage Center
BDA Booster: Joan Wallace
John Boespflug City Builder: Kemper Freeman, Jr.

2004

Deal Maker of the Year: Kemper Freeman, Jr.
Leadership: Suzanne Baugh
Community Treasure: Meydenbauer Convention Center
Gutsy Move of the Year: Rick Collette and the BAM Board of Directors
Miracle of the Year: Access Downtown Construction Management Team
Transaction of the Year: First Mutual Bank
Tradition Builder: Eastside Historical Center
John Boespflug City Builder: All Past BDA Chairs

2003

Deal Maker of the Year: Lisa Rowe, Bentall Capital
Community Treasure: Bellevue Art Museum
Tradition Builder: Wells Fargo Bank
Miracle of the Year: City of Bellevue’s Access Downtown Team
Gutsy Move of the Year: Chef John Howie
Leadership: City of Bellevue City Hall Team
Place Maker of the Year: CollinsWoerman & Streetworks
DIP Purple Heart Award: Stu Vander Hoek
John Boespflug City Builder: Bob Wallace

2002

Livability: John Su
Vitality: Kemper Freeman, Jr & Kemper Development
John Boespflug City Builder: H. Jon Runstad & John Nordby

2001

John Boespflug City Builder: David Schooler

2000

John Boespflug City Builder: Kirk Mathewson