Bellevue is continuing the trend of Eastside cities analyzing their retail sectors, and their City Council is doing so without enacting a development moratorium. Additionally, Monday’s City Council meeting featured a discussion on a feasibility report for the long-planned Cross-Cultural Center, as well as a final decision on allowing the remote participation of board and commission members.
Staff to study Bellevue’s retail sector through analysis and outreach
In November 2020, City Council approved an updated draft of the city’s Economic Development Plan, which “guides the city’s continued efforts to strengthen and diversify the Bellevue economy.” A key part of that plan advanced with a vote on Monday, as staff will proceed with a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a contractor for a comprehensive study of Bellevue’s retail sector. The analysis will both involve a needs assessment for what retail is present and missing in the city, as well as outreach to business owners big and small region-wide to better understand what barriers there are to locating in Bellevue.
Additionally, staff will investigate how business districts outside of Downtown can be supported (such as through land use planning actions, like upcoming work in Wilburton and BelRed). With automobile sales comprising 16% of Bellevue’s sales tax revenue, the study will also investigate strategies to retain the city’s auto sales capacity while supporting denser land uses. Staff will return to Council with their consultant selection in quarter three, with the final study report likely to be completed by early 2023. Progressive councilmembers will be looking at the retail study’s findings to support initiatives for small businesses and fifteen minute neighborhoods.
