Skip to Main Content

Visionary City Planning and Leadership


The vision and plan for the Central Business District was set in place in the early 1980's, evolving based on current growth and success in partnership with community stakeholders, such as the Bellevue Downtown Association and city leadership. There is a robust and constant business development dialogue between the sectors - you can't say that about all cities.

As the city moves forward with new vision and growth, it does extensive modeling, looks at fiscal impacts, and identifies risks and manages them. Current approved city plans guiding Downtown growth and development include:  


Organizations working on your behalf

Flourishing organizations ensure positive, working partnerships to maintain a strong economic environment.

Prominent business leadership alliances affecting Downtown’s health:

The Bellevue Downtown Association, established in 1974, is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of Downtown Bellevue.

The Bellevue Chamber of Commerce is the Voice of Business in Bellevue and the Eastside and has the mission to provide leadership, influence, programs and partnerships that advance Bellevue as the best city for business and talent.

Leadership Eastside is a next generation regional leadership development program, supported by a broad base of public, private and not-for-profit organizations committed to the health and vitality of the region. Its mission is to promote connections, develop and enrich leaders, and be a catalyst for communities to address important issues and meet the challenges of a diverse and dynamic region.

Visit Bellevue Washington provides meeting planners, leisure visitors, corporate travelers, and convention attendees with information and resources to help them tap into all that Bellevue and the Puget Sound region have to offer. Working with a coalition of Bellevue hoteliers, retailers and purveyors of local attractions, Visit Bellevue Washington identifies travelers interested in visiting Bellevue and through the Visit Bellevue Washington website, an Expedia-powered booking engine, and a comprehensive Bellevue Visitor Guide, provides resources to help plan a memorable get-away or a successful convention.


Local, State & U.S. Representatives

Bellevue has a council-manager form of government. Seven council members are elected at large, and they appoint the mayor and deputy mayor from among themselves. The council hires a professional city manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

City of Bellevue | www.bellevuewa.gov

Bellevue City Council

City Council meetings are open to the public and televised live. Click here for the Meetings Schedule.

  • Lynne Robinson, Mayor | Position 6: 2014 - 2021
  • Jared Nieuwenhuis | Position 4: 2017 - 2021
  • Jeremy Barksdale | Position 3: 2020 - 2013
  • Conrad Lee | Position 2: 2014 - 2021
  • Jennifer Robertson | Position 7: 2016 - 2023
  • John Stokes | Position 7: 2016 - 2023
  • Janice Zhan | Position 5: 2027 - 2023

Washington State Legislature

District 41

Senator Lisa Wellman
218 John A. Cherberg Building
PO Box 40441
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 - 7641
Lisa.Wellman@leg.wa.gov

Representative Tana Senn
309 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786-7894
Tana.Senn@leg.wa.gov

Representative Judy Clibborn
415 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786-7926
Judy.Clibborn@leg.wa.gov

District 48

Senator Patty Kuderer
411 Legislative Building
PO Box 40448
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786 - 7694
Kuderer.Patty@leg.wa.gov

Representative Vandana Slatter
336 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786-7936
Vandana.Slatter@leg.wa.gov

Representative Joan McBride
335 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 786-7926
Joan.McBride@leg.wa.gov

United States Congress

District 9

U.S. Representative Adam Smith
101 Evergreen Building
15 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
425-793-5180
Email

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
3206 Jackson Federal Building
915 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98175
206-220-6400
Email

U.S. Senator Patty Murray
2988 Jackson Federal Building
915 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98175
206-553-5545
Email

Business Resources

City of Bellevue Development Services

Development Services offers one-stop shopping for general information and the permits needed for development activity in Bellevue and the utility service area. See the recently adopted interim regulations governing single-family dwelling rentals. Learn about the streamlined permitting process for residential solar photovoltaic systems. Learn more.

City of Bellevue Licenses and Permits

To conduct business in Bellevue, permits and licenses may be required. All businesses must register for city and state business and occupation taxes. Our City Taxes offers details about business and occupation taxes and others. Construction, tenant improvements and certain land use activities require building and land use permits from Development Services. Learn more.

Other Partners in Placemaking 

Visit Bellevue Washington
visitbellevuewashington.com

Eastside Heritage Center
www.eastsideheritagecenter.com

Tateuchi Center (Formerly PACE)
www.tateuchicenter.org