News

According to a representative for Wright Runstad & Company and Shorenstein Properties, Facebook has signed a pre-lease for its planned 330,000 square foot Block 5 project in the Spring District. This is the fourth building in the Spring District to be leased by Facebook. Block 5, located in the transit-oriented and sustainable neighborhood, will be 11 stories and 345,000 square feet in size. It is a part of Phase 3 of the Spring District’s build-out. The address is 1615 123rd Avenue Northeast. … Read More

Mayor Lynne Robinson was proud to work alongside the Seattle Foundation and a coalition of East King County philanthropists and community leaders to establish the East King County Community Fund. Seattle Foundation grants $550,000 to community-based organizations with offices and services in East King County that are helping individuals and families navigate the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. … Read More

Bellevue City Council adopted an amendment to its Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program Monday night that affordable housing advocates hope will help create more workforce and low-income housing options.

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On Monday, the City Council unanimously voted to accept federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), passed by Congress to address the impacts of COVID-19. The approval was part of a larger budget briefing that included an update on the city’s finances. … Read More

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Asked about top-of-mind challenges from the pandemic and looking forward, Robinson said,“I think the biggest challenge is going to be working with the families and the businesses that were struggling before COVID,” which exacerbated those challenges. ... Robinson said the city is working hard on incentivizing more affordable housing. “There is a tremendous need for affordable housing in Bellevue,” she said. Only 10 percent of the city’s housing is affordable to a family of four earning $80,000 a year or less, “so that’s a lot of people who work in Bellevue that can’t afford to live here,” she said.   … Read More

"Wow! When we asked readers to vote online to choose the Best of 425, we received thousands of votes. It was great to see many new businesses make this year’s stellar Best of 425 list, as well as repeat winners that definitely should be proud of repeat recognition. Thank you for taking the time to vote, and congrats to everyone who won. The competition was fierce!" … Read More

Today as jurors reached a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, convicting him of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the May 2020 death of George Floyd while in police custody, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson released the following statement:

The murder of George Floyd was a grave injustice. I hope that moving forward, this tragedy gives us each the motivation to strive for real, positive change in our society and in our existing and future systems. It is critical that all levels of government are more aware of the tremendously important responsibility we have in protecting the lives and wellbeing of all community members. Bellevue stands in solidarity against prejudice, bias, hate and social inequity.

Since the death of George Floyd, the City of Bellevue has enhanced its dedication to making sure everyone who lives, works, or visits the Bellevue community feels safe and is treated with dignity and respect. The City Council signed a pledge in 2020 to review the city’s own police use of force policies. I am proud of the Bellevue Police Department’s ongoing dedication to continuous improvement and their efforts to effectively serve our diverse community.

I am confident we can help advance meaningful change by coming together as neighbors, having tough conversations and building on our common values of diversity, equity and inclusion. This is what makes Bellevue, and our country, so special. … Read More

"The completion of our Vision Zero strategic plan is a milestone in our effort to make Bellevue streets safer for everyone, no matter how they choose to get around," Mayor Lynne Robinson said in a news release. "I'm looking forward to its implementation because doing so will help our community avoid the pain and loss caused by preventable traffic crashes. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the plan." … Read More

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