Stories

Keep up with the rapid beat of the Heart of Bellevue. Read stories of the people behind the place. Get to know the BDA with a member spotlight. Stay informed on the latest advocacy efforts and what's happening downtown. Whether you come downtown for work or fun, make the most of your visit by enjoying Bellevue Beats and Al Fresco Dining.

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Bellevue's Housing Future: Will Supply Meet Demand?

On Tuesday, October 29, the BDA held one of our annual Downtown Talks Breakfast series. Our topic of discussion is one that we've heard for decades now: Will there be enough housing to sustain the future of Bellevue?

Beyond Retail: Developing a Destination

Hear an exclusive discussion with Kemper Freeman, chairman and CEO of Kemper Development Company, who shares his perspective on Bellevue's transformation into the vibrant shopping and entertainment center it is today.

Vote Informed: 2021 Bellevue City Council Candidates Forum

Watch the live, online discussion featuring all six of Bellevue's City Council candidates. The moderated discussion included questions regarding the business community and other issues impacting the city.

A Community Effort: Addressing Homelessness in Bellevue

David Bowling, Executive Director of CFH (Congregations for the Homeless) shares his insights on resources available for individuals experiencing homelessness, how CFH is meeting critical needs, and where opportunities exist for greater partnership.

State of the City 2021: Bellevue Strong

Mayor Lynne Robinson and Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis share their thoughts on the city’s critical work over the last year and the community’s resilience in our annual “State of the City” discussion.

Bellevue's Grand Connection: From Vision to Reality

In this 2-part conversation, we'll cover the Grand Connection's history, explain what’s next, and go in-depth on Amazon’s two-phase Bellevue 600 project, one of the major investments shaping the Grand Connection and Downtown’s future.

The Sweet Side of Business: A Talk with Molly Moon's

Hear how Molly Moon Neitzel grew her business with a belief that you can build success while building up your employees, partners and the places you serve.

Behind the Screens of Gaming: A Talk with Bungie

Get an inside look at Bellevue's gaming industry from Bungie's COO Patrick O'Kelley. He shares the company’s origin story, response to the pandemic and what’s ahead for the team in Downtown Bellevue.

Looking at Law Enforcement: A Talk with Bellevue Police

Bellevue Police Chief Mylett shares an inside look at how he’s responded to the challenges of 2020, the current climate surrounding law enforcement, and the strategies he’s implementing for the agency’s future.

Retail & Resiliency in Bellevue: A Talk with The Bellevue Collection

We talked with Jennifer Leavitt, VP of Marketing at The Bellevue Collection, on the behind-the-scenes steps they’ve taken to keep you safe and what the future of retail may hold.

Workforce Wellness - Priority #1: A Talk with Microsoft

For our first Downtown Talks conversation, we chatted with Colleen Daly, Microsoft’s public health and wellness lead, on how the company is responding to the pandemic and what that means for the future.