Bellevue Dispatchhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/Bellevue news, once a week, from the Bellevue Dispatch.en-usThe budget now carries a 0.1% transportation sales taxhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-the-budget-now-carries-a-0-1-transportation-sales-tax/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-the-budget-now-carries-a-0-1-transportation-sales-tax/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800On Nov. 3, council voted 5–1 for a hybrid option that uses the Transportation Benefit District for a 0.1%, 10-year sales tax, with no car-tab fee increase.$15 million is set aside to move Fire Station 6https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-15-million-is-set-aside-to-move-fire-station-6/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-15-million-is-set-aside-to-move-fire-station-6/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800Council unanimously designated $15 million in long-range planning reserves to buy land for a new site for the aging station.Free naturalist training opens for the Class of 2027https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-free-naturalist-training-opens-for-the-class-of-2027/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-free-naturalist-training-opens-for-the-class-of-2027/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800Classes run Jan. 26 to April 29, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with some Saturday field trips.BEACON, the city's equity and outreach advisory network, is adding membershttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-beacon-the-city-s-equity-and-outreach-advisory-network-is-adding-membe/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-beacon-the-city-s-equity-and-outreach-advisory-network-is-adding-membe/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800It advises the city on making programs and services easier to reach.get ready for the first windstormhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-get-ready-for-the-first-windstorm/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-12-get-ready-for-the-first-windstorm/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800Windstorm season is the time to set this up, before the lights go out.Why the fire-damaged building on 100th Avenue NE near NE 1st Street is still standing, and whether anything is plannedhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-11-12-why-the-fire-damaged-building-on-100th-avenue-ne-near-ne-1st-street-is/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-11-12-why-the-fire-damaged-building-on-100th-avenue-ne-near-ne-1st-street-is/Thu, 12 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800A reader in Downtown asked why the fire-damaged building on 100th Avenue NE near NE 1st Street is still standing, and whether anything is planned.The final budget hearing drew nearly 40 speakershttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-the-final-budget-hearing-drew-nearly-40-speakers/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-the-final-budget-hearing-drew-nearly-40-speakers/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800Council closed the public hearing on the 2027–2028 operating budget and the 2027–2032 capital plan on Tuesday, October 27, with 63 written comments on file.146 apartments on 118th Avenue SE got design approvalhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-146-apartments-on-118th-avenue-se-got-design-approval/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-146-apartments-on-118th-avenue-se-got-design-approval/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800The October 28 permit bulletin lists a decision of approval with conditions for a seven-story apartment building at 995 118th Avenue SE, on the site of a partly built hotel in West Bellevue.A community open house on the Diversity Advantage Plan 2035 is Nov. 19https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-a-community-open-house-on-the-diversity-advantage-plan-2035-is-nov-19/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-a-community-open-house-on-the-diversity-advantage-plan-2035-is-nov-19/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800The city will showcase progress on the plan at a community open house, Thursday, Nov. 19, 6 to 8 p.m., at City Hall, 450 110th Avenue NE. Sourceclear the storm drains by the curbhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-clear-the-storm-drains-by-the-curb/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-11-05-clear-the-storm-drains-by-the-curb/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800Fall leaves can block the storm drains next to your curb.Where tradespeople and service trucks will park as high-rise housing fills inhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-11-05-where-tradespeople-and-service-trucks-will-park-as-high-rise-housing-f/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-11-05-where-tradespeople-and-service-trucks-will-park-as-high-rise-housing-f/Thu, 05 Nov 2026 06:00:00 -0800A reader in Downtown asked where tradespeople and service trucks will park as high-rise housing fills in.Both rezones passed; parking comes back for a final votehttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-both-rezones-passed-parking-comes-back-for-a-final-vote/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-both-rezones-passed-parking-comes-back-for-a-final-vote/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700On October 20, council approved the EverGlen Village and Bellewood Townhomes rezones.The budget's last public hearinghttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-the-budget-s-last-public-hearing/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-the-budget-s-last-public-hearing/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The final hearing on the 2027–2028 budget was on Tuesday's agenda, with adoption expected in November.What Bellevue will ask Olympia forhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-what-bellevue-will-ask-olympia-for/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-what-bellevue-will-ask-olympia-for/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The draft 2027 state agenda opposes changes to the business and occupation tax that would cut into local B&O, backs the I-405 Renton to Bellevue project, and asks for $280,000 for a kitchen at Highland Community Center.Ballots are due Tuesdayhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-ballots-are-due-tuesday/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-ballots-are-due-tuesday/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Election Day is November 3, and drop boxes close at 8 p.m.A seat on the Human Services Commission is openhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-a-seat-on-the-human-services-commission-is-open/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-a-seat-on-the-human-services-commission-is-open/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The commission advises council on human services planning and funding.drain the hoses before the first freezehttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-drain-the-hoses-before-the-first-freeze/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-29-drain-the-hoses-before-the-first-freeze/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Bellevue Utilities asks owners to protect their own pipes.Where the aquatic center planned for Bellevue Airfield Park standshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-10-29-where-the-aquatic-center-planned-for-bellevue-airfield-park-stands/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/asked/2026-10-29-where-the-aquatic-center-planned-for-bellevue-airfield-park-stands/Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700A reader in Eastgate asked where the aquatic center planned for Bellevue Airfield Park stands.Permits would cost more in 2027https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-permits-would-cost-more-in-2027/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-permits-would-cost-more-in-2027/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Staff brought the proposed development fees to Tuesday's budget session.Parking minimums are shrinking, and council picks how farhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-parking-minimums-are-shrinking-and-council-picks-how-far/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-parking-minimums-are-shrinking-and-council-picks-how-far/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700State law requires Bellevue to cut many minimum parking requirements by January 27, 2027.Last week's voteshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-last-week-s-votes/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-last-week-s-votes/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Council adopted the children and family services sales tax on October 13, effective January 1.Eastrail's last southern gap is in for permitshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-eastrail-s-last-southern-gap-is-in-for-permits/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-eastrail-s-last-southern-gap-is-in-for-permits/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700King County applied to build 1.7 miles across I-90, reusing the steel bridge over 14 freeway lanes and the wooden trestle over 32nd Street.Help pick the backyard cottage planshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-help-pick-the-backyard-cottage-plans/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-help-pick-the-backyard-cottage-plans/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The city will offer up to 10 pre-approved designs for backyard cottages and cottage homes, at a set price.test the alarms when the clocks changehttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-test-the-alarms-when-the-clocks-change/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-22-test-the-alarms-when-the-clocks-change/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Clocks fall back Sunday, November 1.Your water, sewer and storm bill would rise 8.5% next year and 8.6% in 2028https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-your-water-sewer-and-storm-bill-would-rise-8-5-next-year-and-8-6-in-20/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-your-water-sewer-and-storm-bill-would-rise-8-5-next-year-and-8-6-in-20/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Those are the rates the city's Environmental Services Commission recommended, and staff presented them at Tuesday's budget session.The transportation tax district moves onto council's own agenda, with no tax attached yethttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-the-transportation-tax-district-moves-onto-council-s-own-agenda-with-n/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-the-transportation-tax-district-moves-onto-council-s-own-agenda-with-n/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Council voted 6–1 on October 6 to take over the Transportation Benefit District directly, and the ordinance was on Tuesday's consent calendar.A county sales tax starts in January. The question is whether Bellevue keeps its sharehttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-a-county-sales-tax-starts-in-january-the-question-is-whether-bellevue/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-a-county-sales-tax-starts-in-january-the-question-is-whether-bellevue/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700King County passed a 0.01% tax for children and family services on October 6, one cent on $100.One Planning Commission seat is openhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-one-planning-commission-seat-is-open/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-one-planning-commission-seat-is-open/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700It is a four-year volunteer term for a Bellevue resident, with meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.The parks plan is being rewrittenhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-the-parks-plan-is-being-rewritten/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-the-parks-plan-is-being-rewritten/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The Parks and Open Space System Plan guides land purchases, trails and future park levies.rake out the storm drain before the rain doeshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-rake-out-the-storm-drain-before-the-rain-does/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-15-rake-out-the-storm-drain-before-the-rain-does/Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Bellevue has more than 20,000 storm drains, and in October, leaves are what block them.Council has the ten-year street list, and a sales tax and car-tab fee could pay for more of ithttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-council-has-the-ten-year-street-list-and-a-sales-tax-and-car-tab-fee-c/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-council-has-the-ten-year-street-list-and-a-sales-tax-and-car-tab-fee-c/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700At Tuesday's budget session, staff laid out three scenarios for 2027–2036 transportation projects.Fourteen speed cameras by year-endhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-fourteen-speed-cameras-by-year-end/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-fourteen-speed-cameras-by-year-end/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Council has authorized 14 cameras, and the city says all of them will be in place by the end of 2026.Bellevue residents aged 15 to 24 can get up to $5,000 for a climate projecthttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-bellevue-residents-aged-15-to-24-can-get-up-to-5-000-for-a-climate-pro/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-bellevue-residents-aged-15-to-24-can-get-up-to-5-000-for-a-climate-pro/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Teams of at least two people apply, the work has to happen in Bellevue, and it has to be finished by March 30, 2027.The Network on Aging has open seatshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-the-network-on-aging-has-open-seats/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-the-network-on-aging-has-open-seats/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Members serve three-year terms and give 6 to 12 hours a month.The 2 Line has a new stophttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-the-2-line-has-a-new-stop/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-the-2-line-has-a-new-stop/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Pinehurst Station, at 130th Street and 5th Avenue NE in North Seattle, opened September 30, five years ahead of its original schedule.know the tree rules before the windstormshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-know-the-tree-rules-before-the-windstorms/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-08-know-the-tree-rules-before-the-windstorms/Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700In Bellevue, a significant tree is at least 6 inches across, measured 4.5 feet above the ground, and a landmark tree is at least 24 inches.The budget math, in one number: about sixteen dollarshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-the-budget-math-in-one-number-about-sixteen-dollars/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-the-budget-math-in-one-number-about-sixteen-dollars/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Council spent September 22 on the revenue side of the preliminary 2027–2028 budget and the 2027–2032 capital plan.The Spring District's north blocks would become housing instead of officeshttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-the-spring-district-s-north-blocks-would-become-housing-instead-of-off/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-the-spring-district-s-north-blocks-would-become-housing-instead-of-off/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Wright Runstad has applied to amend the Spring District master plan: the blocks north of the light rail line switch from office to residential and residential-with-retail, with below-grade parking, a realigned roadway and a new linear park.Bellevue is planning its largest reservoirhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-bellevue-is-planning-its-largest-reservoir/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-bellevue-is-planning-its-largest-reservoir/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700The Meydenbauer South Reservoir is meant to carry growth and firefighting capacity across western Bellevue.Four crosswalks got painted, and the city is asking whether they workhttps://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-four-crosswalks-got-painted-and-the-city-is-asking-whether-they-work/https://www.bellevuedispatch.com/news/2026-10-01-four-crosswalks-got-painted-and-the-city-is-asking-whether-they-work/Thu, 01 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0700Nikita Ares and Kenji Stoll designed two each: 164th Avenue NE at NE 24th Street, 124th Avenue NE at NE 8th Street, 132nd Avenue NE at Bel-Red Road, and 106th Avenue NE at NE 10th Street.