City of Bellevue

The Bellevue City Council held a meeting on Dec. 4, 2023, addressing various community issues. The council received an update on the city’s 2024 budget, which focuses on enhancing public safety and supporting affordable housing initiatives.

Bellevue is inviting residents to participate in its budget survey to help shape the 2027-28 budget. The survey is designed to gather input on funding priorities and community needs. Residents can share their opinions on various city services and programs, including public safety, parks, transpor...

At the recent City Council meeting, a significant update to Bellevue’s strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion plan, known as the Diversity Advantage Plan 2035, was discussed. This plan aims to enhance access to city services and positively impact the diverse communities in Bellevue. The city ...

Bellevue City Manager Diane Carlson announced the hiring of Bindi Lassige as the new director of human resources and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, effective Nov. 24. Lassige brings over 20 years of HR leadership experience, including more than a decade at the Gates Foundation, wher...

The City of Bellevue is allocating $235,000 to address immediate food assistance needs in response to recent federal reductions in SNAP benefits, impacting more than 3,000 households and about 4,000 children in the area. The Bellevue School District has noted a rise in students eligible for free ...

The Bellevue City Council recently began discussions on mid-biennium budget adjustments for the 2025-2026 biennial budget, focusing on the implications of the current economic outlook. Proposed adjustments aim to support major council priorities, with updates reflecting revised revenue projection...

The City of Bellevue is hosting an open house on Nov. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at City Hall to present the preliminary Diversity Advantage Plan 2035. This event, organized with the Centering Communities of Color Coordination Team, will cover the plan update process, community feedback integration, and...

At a recent City Council meeting, updates were provided on Bellevue’s Affordable Housing Strategy and the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. The Affordable Housing Strategy aims to build or preserve 5,700 affordable units over the next decade, with a focus on new housing opportunities in t...

City planners are seeking public input on the Grand Connection corridor, a nonmotorized route from Meydenbauer Bay Park through downtown Bellevue to Eastrail in Wilburton. Residents can share their thoughts on activities along the corridor by scanning QR codes on sidewalk decals featuring Belle t...

The city of Bellevue has selected Bellwether Housing to develop affordable housing and community space on city-owned land in the Wilburton Transit-Oriented Development District. This decision follows a request for proposals that attracted 10 submissions, with Bellwether chosen for its alignment w...

At the recent Bellevue City Council meeting, police reported a 28% reduction in overall crime and a 21% decrease in traffic collisions in 2025. Speeding tickets rose by 117%, with an average police response time of under four minutes. The Bellevue Police emphasized the importance of community par...

The City of Bellevue, in collaboration with local partners, is launching the “Essentials for All” drive from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 to collect food and hygiene products. This initiative addresses the critical issue of food insecurity, affecting about one in four school-age children in Bellevue, which ...

The city of Bellevue has chosen BRIDGE Housing and Su Development to create multifamily housing complexes in the BelRed Arts District, focusing on affordable housing and artist amenities. These transit-oriented developments, located near the BelRed light rail station, support Bellevue’s Affordabl...

The City of Bellevue is launching the second year of the Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls program, with funding applications beginning Sept. 15. This initiative aims to support organizations in hosting free events that foster intercultural engagement and learning among Bellevue’s diverse commu...

The city of Bellevue is relaunching its Cultural Conversations program as part of the 2025 lineup for Welcoming Week festivities. In its 15th year, the program aims to foster community connections through storytelling and dialogue. The season begins with the event titled “The Bellevue We Hope For...

The city of Bellevue has launched the Safe Routes to School program to enhance safety and convenience for students walking, biking, or rolling to school. This initiative is part of a national effort and will involve funding for street improvements near schools, increased traffic safety education,...

The Bellevue City Council approved updates to the city’s housing policies to comply with new state laws aimed at expanding housing options. These changes align with House Bills 1110 and 1337, which mandate greater residential density and a variety of housing types. Key amendments include reducing...

The city of Bellevue is updating its Affordable Housing Strategy throughout 2025. To foster community engagement, the Office of Housing has produced three informative videos covering the fundamentals of affordable housing: defining affordable housing, assessing housing needs in Bellevue, and expl...

Celebrate Independence Day at the Bellevue Family 4th, the Eastside’s largest fireworks event, on July 4 from 5 to 10:30 p.m. at Downtown Park. The event features live music, family entertainment, and fireworks at 10:05 p.m. performed by the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. The lineup includes ...

The City of Bellevue is enhancing its efforts to combat hate crimes and bias incidents by forging partnerships with community organizations and increasing public awareness. A recent panel discussion, facilitated by Dr. Marcus Johnson from the Diversity Advantage Team, brought together city staff ...

Bellevue Essentials is accepting applications for its fall 2025 civic engagement course, running from Sept. 10 to Nov. 12. This 10-week program offers Bellevue residents insight into city government operations and decision-making processes. The course includes eight Wednesday classes from 5:30 to...

The Bellevue City Council continued discussions on the Wilburton Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) land use code amendment, aimed at establishing new mixed-use districts in the 300-acre area, reflecting community goals from the 2024 Wilburton Comprehensive Plan. The council focused on stakeholde...

The Bellevue City Council held a meeting on May 18, 2025, discussing proposed land use code amendments aimed at supporting middle housing development in compliance with recent state legislation. Washington’s House Bills 1110 and 1337 mandate that cities increase housing types and density in resid...

At a recent City Council meeting, an update was provided on the newly established Office of Housing, launched in February to enhance affordable housing initiatives in Bellevue. This office is working on the Affordable Housing Strategy update, the homelessness outreach program, and the Multi-Famil...

The city of Bellevue has been awarded the 2025 Frank Chopp Public Sector Champion title by the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County for its strong commitment to affordable housing. This recognition underscores Bellevue’s proactive approach in addressing housing challenges, partic...

BellHop, a free shuttle service in Bellevue, has been awarded the 2025 Transportation Vision Award by the Seattle and Bellevue 2030 Districts. Launched in 2023, BellHop has quickly become an essential part of the city’s urban mobility, providing nearly 115,000 rides to more than 150,000 passenger...

Members of Bellevue’s City Council recently presented the annual State of the City at the Meydenbauer Center, emphasizing the theme “Better Together.” Mayor Lynne Robinson highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving the city’s innovations and successes. Key advancements over the past ...