What's Happening

There’s more than snow in the air this week, Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! Wow your sweetie with some of these Valentine’s deals at BDA Member restaurants here in Downtown. 

On Thursday, February 7, the Bellevue Downtown Association and over 500 attendees celebrated our Downtown at the largest Annual Celebration in its 45-year history. Featuring two keynotes, two award honorees, networking and dinner, it was an evening to remember.

Microsoft announced recently that it is committing $500 million to advance affordable housing solutions. Microsoft’s message included a call to action, encouraging individuals, business, and the state legislature to contribute to the cause. The Mayors of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Renton, Sammamish, Auburn, Kent and Federal Way are pledging to take vital and concrete steps to address the issue. The Bellevue Downtown Association is tracking the housing issue and advocating policy changes to encourage development of more affordable units.

Congratulations to BDA Member Alaska Airlines! They've recently hired their 10,000th Washington State employee, and they're not stopping there. The Economic Impact Report highlights plans to continue to expand in our state.

Lunar New Year occurs on February 5th, and it will be the year of the boar; an omen of fortune and good luck! Celebrate at these Bellevue cultural events happening throughout the week.

The City of Bellevue will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a trio of events. On Thursday, John Carlos, a track star who raised his fist for human rights after winning a medal at the 1968 Olympics, will deliver an address. On Monday, MLK Day itself, join a tree planting at Eastgate Park and a celebration at Crossroads Mall. Read on for details.

The Bellevue Downtown Association will host its 45th Annual Celebration on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Meydenbauer Center. More than 500 business and community leaders from around the region will celebrate the growth and evolution of Downtown Bellevue. Registration is now open!

We're about to hit three weeks of region-wide congestion as the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down, read on for what the "period of maximum constraint" means for your commute to Bellevue.

The December BDA Breakfast program centered on the issue of homelessness in Bellevue. Diving into the subject were five panelists from leading organizations tackling this challenge on the frontlines. The fact-filled forum explored data, myths vs reality, trends, and solutions. With more than 150 people in attendance, the community came out in full force to learn about this issue and how Bellevue is responding.

Make the most of your Magic Season experience by not fussing with parking. Explore alternative transit options to your favorite Downtown Bellevue holiday traditions.

As recommended by the BDA Land Use & Livability Committee, the Bellevue City Council unanimously selected the Grand Connection I-405 lid concept for evaluation and design. Future design work of the crossing is expected to start in Q1 2019 and go into 2020. Read more about the BDA's official message and next steps for Grand Connection.

Join us for a special BDA Breakfast and a conversation about the resources and community response for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Bellevue. An expert panel will highlight the core issues in play, what the data and trends are telling us, how agencies and non-profits are meeting critical needs, and where opportunities exist for greater partnership and problem solving on one of the region’s biggest challenges. 

The holiday season brings tons of festive fun, but also an increase in commercial shipping causing recycle bins to spill over with cardboard, plastic and paper. Learn why it's important to do more than get the lid shut and tips for a healthy recycle bin.

Construction for the 22nd annual Bellevue Downtown Ice Rink presented by Alaska Mileage Plan is underway with Opening Day scheduled for Friday, November 23! Learn more about the region's largest open-air holiday ice skating experience.

Former First Lady of Washington state Mona Lee Locke calls Bellevue Arts Museum, "a jewel on the Eastside, and a human need" as the museum prepares for an exciting lineup of upcoming exhibits.

Brad Jones, Executive Director at Visit Bellevue shares ten-year plan to implement five strategic priorities to providing a positive visitor experience to bring people to Bellevue and keep them coming back.

We're pleased to announce three new members to the BDA! We continue grow with new and exciting businesses that are committed to keeping Downtown Bellevue an awesome place. Please read more to learn about these members.

Its the season of pumpkins, apple cider, falling leaves and cozy scarfs. Here are some fun ways to celebrate the fall season around Bellevue.

Commercial Real Estate property managers and building operators have a lot going on. Energy management and efficiency improvements can take time and money, so what is the 'business case' to prioritize these projects and incorporate energy efficiency into your existing workload? Join the City's upcoming event to unpack these questions.

As part of East Link light rail construction, the Rainier Freeway station at I-90 will be closed starting Sept. 22 2018. Here is everything you need to know for how Bellevue will be impacted from the Choose Your Way Bellevue team.

A Look Ahead at Bellevue’s Mobility Future
Mark Hallenbeck was this morning’s speaker at the BDA’s September Breakfast series speaking on the topic “What data is telling us about mobility”. Mark gave a candid look at transportation challenges and opportunities in our downtown community and the suburbs surrounding our dense urban core (and giving a basic overview in land use and mobility habits along the way.) Read on for a recap of his presentation.

Plan your Bellevue Fashion Week experience! Find out about exclusive runway shows, complimentary events, beauty demos, and irresistible shopping happening September 19 - 23.

Welcome to our newest BDA Members! - September 18, 2018

Interested in learning how your business can be featured through BDA membership?

Mobility Matters for Downtown Bellevue

Transportation and mobility are always top of mind for the BDA board and there are multiple ways for BDA Members to get involved. 

If you haven't yet considered it, think about revamping your recycling schedule and habits - a little bit can go a long way! Join other businesses that are improving their recycling and taking pride in keeping more waste out of the landfill.

Experience art in Downtown Bellevue September 14 - 23. The 10-day Bellwether arts festival features more than 50 artists and is free to attend.

Did you know Bellevue wasn't incorporated until 1953 or that the American Pacific Whaling Company use to winterized their boats in Meydenbauer Bay? Discover the hidden history of Downtown Bellevue.

It's hard to believe it's that time of year again! School starts tomorrow, and the Bellevue Police and Transportation departments want to ensure you and your family get where you need to go safely. Take note of changing traffic patterns due to the opening of the new Wilburton Elementary School near Downtown Bellevue, and take extra precautions as construction on sidewalks and nearby streets is still wrapping up. 

Support Bellevue businesses impacted by East Link light rail construction and enter to win a tour of the extension tunnel through the Sound Transit Loyal to the Local contest!

The Bellevue Downtown Association is thrilled to welcome five new members this month. The BDA supports over 260 members through advocacy, member events and marketing. Thank you to our loyal BDA members!

The BDA Land Use Livability Committee initiated a dialogue with Bellevue’s Development Services staff to find common ground on improvements and efficiencies in the project preapplication submittal process. Read more to learn about the discussions and take a first look at the draft preapplication update.

Chronic absenteeism affects schools across the nation. Here, on the Eastside, more than 4,300 students in the Bellevue and Lake Washington school districts were “chronically absent,” in 2017. Aligning our community organizations, businesses and resources around this work can make a difference. It can make a difference in employee satisfaction, in the lives of children and youth, and eventually for economic development.

Evidence of light rail coming soon to the Eastside is hard to miss in Bellevue, as construction comes more together, with a bridge crossing I-405 and carrying on behind Whole Foods. But how are things looking beneath the surface? The Bellevue Downtown Association is excited to share Sound Transit’s Loyal to Local contest. Seven lucky winners and a friend will win a private group tour of the tunnel in Fall 2018.

Nothing says 'summer' quite like sipping a fruity cocktail, grabbing a beer, or sharing a pitcher of sangria while sitting on a patio soaking up the afternoon rays during happy hour. When it comes to combining drinks, bites, and great patios, Downtown Bellevue has many options to choose from. 

From Friday July 27 to Sunday July 29, over 600 vendors will showcase their work at three different art fairs in Downtown Bellevue. Keep reading for more information about each fair, and details about what to bring, how to get here, and how to avoid road closures. We hope to see you there! 

Bellevue and our region continue to make huge progress on projects to improve access and travel times. However, this progress also means a busy summer construction season and some delays. For anyone looking for a quick guide to the longer-term construction-related closure in and around Downtown Bellevue, look no further! 

If you haven't noticed the construction for Sound Transit's East Link light rail around Downtown Bellevue...you probably haven't been spending that much time in Downtown Bellevue. But, did you know that the tunnel is more than 90% complete?

Are you an owner of a business that is looking for ways to cut your costs and to do more for the environment? Maybe you want to make a difference but have no idea where to start. If so, EnviroStars might be the program for you. 

Yesterday morning at our June BDA Breakfast, our expert panel gave us an inside look at market trends driving real estate decisions in and around Downtown Bellevue. Read our recap of the event for more details.

Our annual Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk is just around the corner and this is the perfect opportunity to talk about a sometimes hairy, always smelly issue....dog poop!

Supporting local charities, participating in community events, and volunteering time and resources fosters a healthier, happier neighborhood environment. After all, this is the place your business—and likely your family—calls home. Making an effort to connect locally also builds goodwill that can translate to more paying customers.

Whether or not you're an avid bike rider, you might have noticed some fresh paint on 108th Avenue NE. If you're wondering 'what's happening,' look no further! Starting June 10, the City of Bellevue began installation of a protected bike lane - the Demonstration Bikeway - along 108th Avenue NE.

The Bellevue Downtown Association is thrilled to welcome six new members this month, and one member under new ownership! The BDA supports over 260 members through advocacy, member events and marketing. Thank you to our loyal BDA members!

The Eastside Baby Corner Diaper Derby ended last week with SAP Concur crushing the competition. True to her word, Hansman got her head shaved this morning at EBC...and SAP Concur President Mike Eberhard was the one who did it! 

This Independence Day, dogs of all sizes and breeds will be flocking to Downtown Bellevue for the 6th annual Bellevue Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk, to kick off the Fourth of July and to show their support for local animal shelter Seattle Humane.

We had a chance to sit down with Camilla Carper and Janelle Abbott, the genius behind AMPM (2.0) – an exhibit which opened at the Bellevue Arts Museum last week. Learn more about these creative geniuses (who work together by mailing garments back and forth between Seattle and Los Angeles).

The Bellevue Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk is looking for this year’s Grand Doggie Marshal to join us for this furrtastic Independence Day celebration benefiting Seattle Humane in Bellevue. 

Did you know that the Bellevue School District is set to open a brand new elementary school just outside the heart of Downtown? The District is on schedule to open its 18th elementary school - Wilburton Elementary - this August.

We hear many of our families saying they want to move to Bellevue specifically – not Seattle, but Bellevue – and we need to rise to meet their needs. Yesterday morning at our May BDA Breakfast, our expert panel led the discussion and explored links between business, kids and building amazing places to play, learn and grow up.

The countdown for the 11th annual Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival has begun, with only one week until the event kicks off! Over 40 live free and ticketed performances will be happening throughout downtown Bellevue May 30 – June 3.