What Would Make Downtown Bellevue a Good Place to Live, Work? City to Hold Forums on Downtown Future

Is Downtown Bellevue a good place to live and work? Do you think you can provide good feedback on what should be in Downtown Bellevue and what that would look like?

The city plans to ask residents, business owners and retailers, architects, "visionaries" and others at focus group sessions this week.

The discussions will help shape the changes to the city's zoning regulations and design guidelines for Bellevue's downtown, as the city updates its codes.

The public is invited to the focus groups which will be held from March 5 to 12 at City Hall. The focus groups are divided into a variety of types of downtown users, but people are encouraged to attend any meeting that is convenient, according to the city.

The city provided the following information about the focus groups:

As the city considers zoning regulations and design guidelines that would ensure downtown develops as a vibrant, mixed-use center, it wants to hear from residents, businesses, architects and others.  Seven stakeholder groups are invited to engage in two-hour focus group discussions March 5-12 at City Hall.

The meetings will include a brief presentation on the Downtown Livability Initiative, followed by small group, facilitated discussion. Discussion topics will include design, amenities and transportation issues. Feedback from these focus groups will help shape potential changes to the Land Use Code for downtown Bellevue.

Participants are encouraged to attend the meeting that best fits their stakeholder group, but are welcome to attend any meeting that is convenient. Meetings will be in room 1E-108.

• Architects and planners, Tuesday, March 5, 2-4 p.m.
• Property owners and developers, Wednesday, March 6, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Brokers, Wednesday, March 6, 4-6 p.m.
• Large companies and retailers, Thursday, March 7, 2-4 p.m.
• Former Downtown Plan Advisory Body members, Friday, March 8, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Institutions and visionaries, Monday, March 11, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Residents, Tuesday, March 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please RSVP to DowntownLivability@bellevuewa.gov or call Julie Ellenhorn at 425-452-5372.