Published July 29 2015
Also, legislative report and ADA proclamation
Local alumni of Tsinghua University visited with the City Council Monday to celebrate their alma mater's future presence in Bellevue, as part of the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) set to open next year in the BelRed area.
GIX will be a partnership between Tsinghua, China's top school for sciences and engineering, and the University of Washington, with Microsoft Corp. providing $40 million in foundational support. This will be the first time a Chinese research university establishes a physical presence in the United States.
Lan Li, president of the Seattle Tsinghua Alumni Association, gave a presentation to the council about the university in Beijing, which she said is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world The Seattle alumni group has more than 900 members, many of them working for high-tech firms.
The Tsinghua alumni came to the meeting Monday to present a porcelain seal, carved with a representation of the historical entrance of the Tsinghua campus, to the council. The dean of the school's computer science department brought it from China for Bellevue.
Legislative report
The council received its final report on the Legislature's 2015 session, after three extra sessions, learning the state operating and capital budget decisions that benefit Bellevue in important ways.
A $16.3 billion transportation package will provide $1.22 billion to finish widening Interstate 405 from Renton to Bellevue, $1.6 billion to complete the west end of the new State Route 520 bridge and $41 million for design and engineering on a new SR 520 interchange at 124th Street Northeast. The Mountains to Sound Greenway project received $14 million, and $2.8 million was allocated for an SR 520 regional bike path and trail.
The city will receive a larger share of liquor tax revenue than it has in recent years, representing an estimated $3.4 million for Bellevue's budget. The city will also see a share of marijuana tax revenue -- about $70,000 per year in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The city received $1.5 million for development of the waterfront Meydenbauer Bay Park. Two capital projects the city supports also received funding -- Inspiration Playground ($1.5 million) and KidsQuest Children's Museum ($2 million).
ADA proclamation
Mayor Claudia Balducci read a proclamation, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"On the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Bellevue will celebrate and recognize the progress that has been made by reaffirming the principles of equity, inclusion and access, and renewing our efforts to reach full ADA compliance," the proclamation said.
The mayor noted that a celebration of the anniversary took place last week in Seattle, which the City of Bellevue cosponsored, drew a good crowd. She presented the proclamation to Jennifer Mechem, the city's ADA administrator. The city hired Mechem in May as part of its Diversity Advantage team. An interpreter presented the meeting in sign language.