Downtown Residents Invited to Propose $975K in Community Improvements

February 17, 2026

Downtown Bellevue residents now have a rare opportunity to directly shape neighborhood improvements!

The City of Bellevue’s Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) is bringing $975,000 in funding to Downtown, and residents get to decide how it’s spent!

What is the Neighborhood Enhancement Program?

Founded in 1988, NEP is a city-funded program that lets residents propose and vote on small capital improvement projects that enhance their neighborhood. These projects are designed to improve quality of life, strengthen community spaces, and add character to public areas.

In the past, NEP has funded:

Public art installations
Crosswalk and pedestrian safety upgrades
Trail connections
Street lighting
Picnic shelters
Play structures
Streetscape improvements

The goal is to reimagine shared spaces and celebrate what makes each neighborhood unique.

How can Downtown residents participate?

Residents can submit as many project ideas as they want using one of two methods:

Return the prepaid NEP Project Idea form that was mailed to Downtown households in January
By filling out the on-line project idea request form that can be found on the NEP website at www.bellevuewa.gov/nep

All submissions must be received by Tuesday, March 3, 2026

What happens after ideas are submitted?

The NEP process is community-driven:

The City reviews ideas for feasibility and cost
Qualified projects are shared at a public open house
Residents vote on their top choices
Winning projects move into design and construction

Important note

Operational issues such as police patrol, maintenance, drainage, parking, or code enforcement are handled separately. Those concerns should be submitted through the MyBellevue app or online.

For questions, contact NEP program manager: Theresa Cuthill at tcuthill@bellevuewa.gov