Published June 7 2025
Plus, Inclusive Innovation Forum, city accreditation and proclamations
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, councilmembers discussed next steps in the Meydenbauer Bay Park Expansion project. At a prior study session on May 13, the council suggested a series of considerations to include in the design of the next phase of the work. These included limiting or preventing disruption to parking during construction, designing with attention to bay views, improving the wayfinding plan for the park, incorporating universal accessibility and considering emergency preparedness. Additionally, the council expressed interest in closely tracking budget and cost estimates as the next phase is designed, as well as committing to community engagement.
A proposed Phase 2 scope for the project included council feedback and included improvements to the Main Street and110th Avenue intersection; a Gateway Plaza at Main Street and 110th Avenue; new expanded parking on the Gateway and East Parcel areas; a Canopy Walk accessible-grade elevated path; and an interim pedestrian trail on the future Promenade area to connect the Gateway to the Phase 1 park area.
After discussion, councilmembers unanimously voted to proceed to the architectural and engineering design stage to support the permitting and construction of Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2. The full presentation and discussion are available through video replay on Bellevue Television with supporting information available in the meeting materials.
Innovation Forum update
The council also gave guidance on a draft technology innovation policy framework as part of the city’s Inclusive Innovation Forum program. The framework establishes a model for testing and vetting innovative ideas in the community, prioritizing ideas that advance the council vision, enabling a path for business incubators and start-ups, and helping evolve city services by creating pathways that make pilot programs easier.
The Inclusive Innovation Forum aims to encourage more innovation in the community and make it easier for the city to partner with businesses, nonprofits, and schools on innovative projects. The program was built on community outreach conducted in 2024, which identified three key focus areas to streamline and spur innovation in Bellevue: supporting digital equity to improve technology access for everyone; expanding policies and priorities to support startups and new ideas; and enhancing a strong local innovation community.
The council voted unanimously to bring the draft innovation resolution back to council on the consent calendar at a future meeting. The full discussion and presentation can be accessed through Bellevue Television.
Accreditation Highlights
In other business, councilmembers received a report on the five city departments that receive rare and distinguished accreditation from industry associations.
The Bellevue Fire Department has been accredited since 1998 and is among less than 1% of fire agencies accredited in North America. Bellevue Parks & Community Services is the longest-standing of only three accredited parks agencies in the state. Bellevue Police represents less than 6% of law enforcement agencies accredited in the nation. The city’s Transportation Department is among 218 similar agencies across the U.S. and Canada to be accredited, and is one of only 12 accredited transportation departments in the state. Bellevue Utilities has been continuously accredited since 2004 and was the first agency in Washington to be accredited by the American Public Works Association.
Accreditation is a third-party verification and validation process that assesses policies, procedures and practices required to exhibit excellent service to the community. Accreditation assesses the direct function receiving accreditation and other supporting departments in the city, meaning this achievement is a testament to the city’s high standards in service delivery and dedication to continuous improvement across the organization.
Council proclamations
The council also proclaimed June as Pride Month and June 9-15 as Men’s Health Week.