What's Happening

The 2019 Study Tour trip to Dallas was a marathon of activities and lessons learned. For three days in early October, a group of 60 stakeholders explored Dallas’s urban environment and met with local leaders. Thematic takeaways included Dallas’s development success through public-privates partnerships and how investing in programmable space can yield tremendous economic activity. Read more to learn about the trip and view pictures. 

The BDA has partnered with the William D. Ruckelshaus Center to assemble some of Washington's brightest policy experts to speak on the power of collaborative problem solving. At the October 22 BDA Breakfast, guests will learn about Collaborative Governance and hear insights in Downtown Bellevue's unprecedented period of growth. Read more to see the list of speakers and get more details about the event.

Thank you to all who attended last Tuesday's Bellevue City Council Candidates Forum at the September BDA Breakfast. Attendees heard from eight candidates running for four seats on the Bellevue City Council. Kim Malcolm, host of KUOW’s All Things Considered, moderated the hour-long forum, giving each candidate equal time for opening and closing remarks, as well as the opportunity to address five different questions.

The NE corner of Downtown Bellevue’s largest public park is getting a facelift! The City of Bellevue has submitted permits for construction of new park improvements to create a pedestrian gateway at the NE corner of the Bellevue Downtown Park at NE 4th and Bellevue Way. This will make Bellevue Downtown Park more accessible to retail customers, visitors and Downtown employees, creating even more connectivity through our dynamic Downtown.

There’s more than just pumpkin spice to look forward to... Here’s our favorite tricks and treats to enjoying fall in Downtown Bellevue.

Bellwether has landed once again in Downtown Bellevue, transforming the places we often look past into thought-provoking artwork and installations. 

Downtown's Blazing Bagels is moving to a new location at the end of this month. It may be a detour for commuters traveling into the transit center, but its worth the walk. Learn more about the new location and when the shift will occur.

To date, over $360,000 has been raised among all eight candidates running this cycle. With a little more than two months before the November 5 election, the BDA is positioning its members and the Downtown community to learn everything about the races. Read more to learn about the September 24 Candidates Forum and new online tool that compares candidates side-by-side.

City of Bellevue, CFH, business leaders take major step toward a year-round shelter. Temporary "bridge" shelter to open soon in Downtown Bellevue.

Time is flying by here in Bellevue, and summer will be over before you know it. So, let’s catch you up on everything Old Bellevue.

Just in time for Bellevue’s big Arts Fair Weekend, the heart of Downtown Bellevue is bursting with more color thanks to the more than 700 yellow lanterns in trees and new outdoor bistro seating in popular locations.

Hundreds of artists participate in Bellevue's signature Arts Fair Weekend, July 26-28.

Let’s be a community that takes ownership. A community that contributes to a better and brighter Bellevue.

Downtown Bellevue is about to see a few major road closures due to construction of the East Link light rail project. Here is a quick snapshot of the what, where, and when.

Mid-week blues got you down? Then it is time to mix it up and we know exactly where to start. Did you know that multiple places in Downtown Bellevue feature weekly live music performances? No? Well that’s okay because we have compiled a list of the best places to find live music Downtown.

The volume gets turned up during Downtown Bellevue's lunch hour. Take a break outside during Live at Lunch, a 10-week series of live music every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 pm.

We are so excited to welcome 11 new members to BDA! Interested in learning more about what it means to have your business featured through the BDA? Then please contact us. We would love to chat with you!!

Our annual Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk is just two days away, and it is the perfect time to discuss an unlikely topic… dog poop. You will be surprised at how much you don't know...

Vulcan Real Estate presented an in-depth look into its major Downtown Bellevue projects at the June Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) Breakfast, including Bellevue Plaza and 555 108th.

Time to break out your best patriotic gear - the 4th is only a week away!! Whether you’re spending the 4th with your friends, your boo, or your family, Downtown Bellevue has exactly what you need to have the best 4th of July ever. It’s not very often that you get to party on a Thursday, right? Check out the best of Downtown Bellevue this year.

University of Washington has taken things to a whole new level. Partnering with the city of Bellevue, they have worked together to provide innovative ideas in the hopes of improving livability for residents.

Looking to explore Downtown Bellevue? Great idea! You know what else is a great idea? Bring your best canine friend to explore the city with you.

Need help figuring out what to do for your dad? We have exactly what you need to ensure a fantastic Father's day.

Business and civic leaders packed the house at the May Breakfast to hear former Gov. Gregoire lead a discussion with the experts behind Microsoft's $500M commitment to affordable and workforce housing. Read more to learn about the data, dialogue, and future direction of Eastside's housing market.

Now that summer is in full swing with the start of June and school is coming to an end, it is time to start thinking about all the great things that you can be looking forward to this summer and over the next few months. Downtown Bellevue is the best place to start looking.

What time is it? It's Ju Ju time. To celebrate the Chinese New Year, the year of the pig, go see a life-sized fiber glass pig named Ju Ju at City Hall from now until the end of June. Then, seize the day in Downtown Bellevue this New Year and hit the town.

The commute can be one of the main reasons an employee decides to leave a job, or why they take a new job. We’ve pulled together five ways you can help attract and retain your top talent by taking a closer look at their commutes, read on for how you can get started at your company.

Memorial Day is here and so is the Summer weather. Want to do something special but not sure what? Then why not try a Downtown Bellevue stay-cation!? We have compiled a list of the best things to do Memorial Day Weekend and these, you don't want to miss.

Plan your route to see over 40 live shows at this year's Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival! Almost all shows are free and not ticketed, which means you can drop in to several venues each night.

At April’s BDA Breakfast, more than 200 attendees gathered at Meydenbauer Center to hear Bellevue Mayor John Chelminiak give a State of the City address. Key themes including intentionality, boldness and inclusivity emerged from the optimistic account of Bellevue’s present and future. 

As people throughout the region and all over the world celebrate Earth Month, Puget Sound Energy has already been working on ways to reduce its carbon footprint, and it wants to help customers do the same.

Despite the soaring skyscrapers and booming business in our community, financial stresses are a reality for many Bellevue families. In December, the BDA Breakfast Series broached the topic of homelessness and recently, BDA member Bellevue LifeSpring shared some additional statistics on homelessness, reminding us of how important the issue is.

If you're traveling through downtown Bellevue next week starting around 9 pm, please be aware of overnight closures on I-405 and on NE 8th Street for East Link light rail construction.

The Bellevue Downtown Association is thrilled to welcome several thousand Amazon employees to the neighborhood over the next four years. They will occupy a combination of existing office space and planned new development under construction. We’re proud to have Amazon as a BDA member, along with the many other members who are bolstering our economy and enhancing downtown’s vitality. We look forward to supporting the company’s future growth in Bellevue and the region.

Put on your stretchy pants because Restaurant Week is back! More than a dozen Downtown Bellevue restaurants will have three-course dinners and two-course lunch specials.

After years of planning and two years of construction, Meydenbauer Bay Park is open! We heard from the project team on challenges, achievements, and what's next for the Bellevue park network.

After years of public discussion and evaluation, a hearing examiner is expected to rule on the permitting for the Energize Eastside project’s transmission upgrades for the south segment of Bellevue. The BDA is prepared to advocate for this critical transmission upgrade. Read more to learn why and how to engage.

The Diaper Derby is a competitive race to collect diapers for babies living in poverty or crisis. Join EBC in helping kids beat the odds by giving them what they need for a healthy start in life, and parents what they need to take care of their family.

Sound Transit is celebrating an incredible milestone! Contractors are halfway done with construction of the East Link light rail extension. The East Link extension will become the “Blue Line” when we open for service in 2023. People will notice that some stations and trackways look complete and ready to service, but all 14-miles and 10 stations of the “Blue Line” will open all at once in 2023, after testing and pre-revenue service.

The Tateuchi Center, now known as Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE), will receive a stunning update inside and out.

Everybody's Irish on St. Paddy's Day! Starting Friday 3/15-Sunday 3/17, thanks to our BDA Member Restaurants, here's where to celebrate this weekend.

After months of gray skies and rainy nights, it can be easy to convince yourself that binge watching tv shows in bed is the only thing to do, but Reality Breaks Escapes is here to convince us otherwise. 

I-405 is the spine of the Eastside and tens of thousands of users are all too familiar with its pain points. In February, WSDOT and Sound Transit project leaders shared updates on when and how this corridor will keep us moving today and in the future.

The City of Bellevue and Cascade Water Alliance are offering a series of seven free gardening classes, starting tomorrow! Join for one or all of these classes no matter your skill level.  

The BDA welcomes its newest members, Breakthrough Fundraising Group, Visit Bellevue Washington, and Fairfield Inn and Suites.

The BDA Board of Directors approved the Transportation Committee’s recommended Downtown Access Strategy update. Over the course of four meetings, BDA Members worked toward creating an effective advocacy framework for addressing policy issues by acknowledging competing views and finding shared goals. The update marks the first revision to the strategy since it was adopted in 2011.