Meetings for the week of May 11th

Tuesday, May 12th 

City Council meeting, 6pm (link)

Oral Communications: There will be 30 minutes for public comment; speaker sign-up starts at noon (link) 

Consent Calendar: 

- Award Water Main Replacements 2026 Phase 2 & PRV project to Kar-Vel Construction for $4.6M plus tax (CIP Plan Nos. W-16 & W-67). This project replaces ~10,790 linear feet of aging and undersized water main pipe in the Utilities service areas of Bellevue, Medina and Clyde Hill, and an existing pressure reducing valve (PRV) station in the 4700 block of 148 th Ave. NE.

- Amending HOMA to upzone five additional parcels in Factoria. These will be NMU, so the QFC and some parcels across Factoria Blvd. that include the AMC will be zoned for 110 feet. 

- Authorize a five-year General Services contract in an amount not to exceed $514k plus tax with Guardian Security Systems Inc. for 24/7 fire and security alarm monitoring, annual testing, system maintenance, partial and/or full replacement of system components as needed at all Parks & Community Services facilities. The company has historically performed satisfactorily as a vendor.

- Authorize a contract amendment to the agreement with ARC Architects for architectural and engineering services of the new Park Operations Facility for $229k plus tax  - total contract amount will be $1.7M. Since a Land Use Code review identified a complicated array of different allowed uses among the multiple parcels that make up the project site, there were redesign steps in order to assure a project that will be compliant with the current code and conditions of past land use code approvals and actions at the golf course. This contract amendment creates scope for that additional architectural and engineering work and allows for additional construction phasing study to allow the golf course to remain operational during construction.    

- Authorize a utilities easement and a temporary construction easement along Highland Drive (public walkway) to Bellevue School District for underground water, sewer, and storm drainage connections. BSD will compensate the city $25k. Background: This is a 10 acre R-3.5 parcel on the west side of the Forest Drive Hike that was proposed to have 23 homes, before recent changes with Middle Housing and the Critical Areas Ordinance made more density possible. There were recent Executive Session discussions for the BSD School Board that might have related to this property sale, and a letter from the Superintendent in July '25 provided more info on the $30M property sale. 

King County Wastewater Treatment Division 2027 Sewer Rate and Capacity Charge Proposal and 20-Year Forecast. The forecast projects increased sewer rates over the next 20 years from $62.66 per month per average residential customer in 2026 to $161.42 in 2036 and $198.61 in 2046, equating to a 158 percent increase over the next 10 years and a 217 percent increase over the next 20 years. These drastic rate increases are largely due to the Mouth of the Duwamish combined sewer overflow (CSO) project and other regulatory project cost estimate updates.

     The King County Council makes the final decision about sewer rates under advisement from the Regional Water Quality Committee (RWQC) and the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC). Deputy Mayor Dave Hamilton serves on the RWQC on behalf of the Sound Cities Association (SCA). A draft SCA letter to the King County Council is attached that expresses concerns about affordability and says that they do not understand the policy options that may affect costs. 

Council initiation of the High-Density Residential and Planned Unit Development Land Use Code Amendment and Associated Rezones. A new zoning category will be created and applied in the Crossroads and Factoria areas. Currently Medium Density Residential 2 (MDR-2), allows about 30 dwelling units per acre. The new zoning category will allow 60 units per acre, but it will build on the structure of the existing medium-density framework, and there may be transition elements for compatibility with adjacent lower density areas.

     There will also be updates to PUD provisions to provide greater flexibility on large sites and sites redeveloped with affordable housing. PUDs allow for clustering of development, modification of dimensional standards, and coordinated design across a site.

    In addition, there will be a rezone of Overlake Farms property within Bridle Trails neighborhood to the low density residential 3 district. LDR-3 is generally equivalent to the former R-15, with 40' building heights (+ 12' height bonus for tree grove, etc. retention) and 90% hard surface coverage. Single family houses will not be allowed in LDR-3 if the Omnibus public hearing at PC on Wednesday night goes as expected. Overlake Farms is about 40 acres, so it might be 600 homes. There is also a Comp Plan policy statement about the possibility of creating new neighborhood centers, which seems more likely here than in other parts of Bellevue, but which is not part of this proposal.

     A map of the Factoria, Crossroads, and Overlake Farms is here. In Factoria, the area affected includes the Kindercare and St. Margaret's, but appears to be low-rise apartments and condos otherwise. Crossroads subject properties look like similar apartments and condos, and affected properties span from Highland Middle School to 164th and down to NE 8th. 

City Council is being asked to consider Ordinance No. 6917 to establish a new criminal conduct for targeted residential protest. This ordinance places a reasonable limit on protests that target specific occupants or residences located in residential land use districts. The agenda memo states that "There have been recent occurrences of protests and demonstrations in the city that target specific occupants of a residence or the residence itself," and the ordinance states "these protests and demonstrations have involved posting of persons, focused course, or route in front of, around, or directly adjacent to the residence, targeting the specific residence and captive audience therein."

Wednesday, May 13th 

12pm meeting for contractors interested in the Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2 RFP (RFI #26060) 

Planning Commission meeting, 6:30pm (link) 

Written Communications (link) - request about decorum, request for BelRed mandatory streets (beyond the arterials) to be removed, leaving a 1200' maximum block length and 20' lane minimum (fire access easement) to "trapped" parcels. Ben Mickle's detailed review of the BelRed draft is here, request to exempt from facade modulation requirements and floor plate restrictions, and reduced parking standards. PLUSH request to align with Wilburton for road widths, elimination of 12' width of amenity strips along the shared use paths, emergency vehicle use of the shared use paths, and removal of parking on the green streets, and a map with feasibility issues highlighted is provided. 

Omnibus LUCA: Public Hearing  This includes updates to comply with state law and a grab bag of other items as well. 

Tree Code changes: Reduce required tree credits by 60% for SFH and 62.5% for multiple dwellings in SR-1, which was formerly R-2.5, add half credit for trees on a lot line. 

Process and requirement changes for Master Development Plans, Administrative Design Reviews, Departures, and Process Mergers, and streamline overlay sections. (in some cases an MDP won't be needed)

Disallow SFH and SFH with ADUs in areas that were formerly R-10 through R-30, though duplexes (with or without DADUs) and cottages will still be allowed. 

I had more notes about this in the newsletter for the 4/8 meeting. Some of the things in the draft at that time included that, any building with at least one affordable unit would not be required to have facade modulation or stepbacks, FAR requirements not applicable to multifamily developments, Increased impervious surface allowance, etc. I noted some indecision about whether the parent and new lots would be able to have more dwelling units than would have been allowed on the parent lot prior to an administrative lot split, and this was addressed on page 23 of the updated Development Regulations draft. On page 4 of the Environment document, it looks like the wording about stream designation may not yet include all the consultant's recommendations. There is an interesting requirement in Eastgate that any large office project be defined as including significant residential development as well through the MDP, but it looks like the Binding Site Plan might be an alternative to the MDP - I'm not sure right now if this is a substantive change in terms of housing production. 

Thursday, May 14th 

BSD School Board Meeting, 4:30pm (link)

Consent agenda: Student and staff travel, $20.7M payroll, $1.4M general fund, $3.8M capital projects, $11k ASB fund, amend contract with Sunburst Workforce Advisors in the amount of $765k ($600k for paraprofessional, $55k for SLP, and $110k for nurse services) Some/all of these services were budgeted for, but not included in the original contract. 

Public Comment (20 minutes) 4:50 - 5:10 pm  (register by noon on Wednesday) 

Sustainability Annual Report: Goals for this year include • Finalize the GHG emissions inventory for all buildings. • Complete master plans for Photo Voltaic installations, and LED retrofits • Complete Middle School Clean Buildings Act Compliance Document Package • Install energy metering systems at all facilities and begin real-time monitoring. • Prioritize all new capital projects to meet Net-Zero EUI and operational carbon-neutral standards. • Launch pilot with 1 electric bus; assess range, hills, and charging infrastructure. • Explore transitioning small district fleet vehicles (e.g., vans, trucks) to electric models • Conduct a feasibility study on the use of electric school buses for all routes • Explore and develop data collection systems to monitor transportation emissions, mileage, and fuel usage • Work with Communications to develop a video to train students at all grade levels on the minimum food requirements for breakfast and lunch as an effort to address waste related to uneaten food or milk. • Increase plastic reduction efforts by evaluating the transition of additional food service containers to recyclable or compostable options. • Expand meatless options to include plant-based proteins. Evaluate options to introduce a taste test component for new meatless menu items in schools. • Apply for WSDA local foods grant to continue local procurement efforts. • Expand scratch prepared entrees, sourcing local ingredients, when possible, that are produced in the district’s central kitchen. • Develop a process for assessing energy efficiency of new technology purchases • Offer technology environment literacy training for all Technology staff.   - There are also quite a few goals in the realm of environmental safety, emergency response, and resilience.  - Add to learning opportunities through the curriculum and opportunities for participation. • Convene district committee to monitor progress of plan implementation - Have multimedia, events, and webpage

Next year's goals: • All new district buildings are operational carbon neutral/positive (Net Zero EUI). • Increase schools and buildings with solar panels. • Increase schools and buildings with water saving and water reclamation systems. • Expand retrofitting buildings with LED lighting and smart lighting controls. • Increase charging stations on school campuses. • Explore implementation of fleet vehicles to save on fuel and transportation costs • Incorporate electric buses into routes where feasible. • Set emissions reduction targets for the district’s transportation operations • Collaborate with King County Metro and other regional partners to evaluate shared transportation solutions • Incorporate more “meat replacement” options in every meal. • Expand schools participating in Taste Test events for new plant-based menu items. • Evaluate the transition of additional food service items to reusable (i.e. Middle and High School utensils, High School trays) • Continue local procurement efforts • Continue to expand scratch prepared entrees, sourcing local ingredients when possible, utilizing the districts central Kitchen • Establish a district-wide program for device refurbishment and redistribution to reduce new purchasing demands. • Create a technology sustainability method to track device lifecycle, reuse, and energy consumption data. • Investigate a technology recycling program where community can donate old devices. • Start assessing energy efficiency of technology purchases  - Goals for personal and location-specific emergency preparedness 

Revisions to Policy 2420 and Procedure 2420P that reflect the grading scale(s) recommended by the Teacher Leadership Team. The Four Key Grading Practices are: Practice 1: Standards-Aligned Assessments Practice 2: Grades Reflect Evidence of Learning Practice 3: Multiple Modes and Opportunities to Demonstrate Learning Practice 4: Mathematically Sound Common Grading Scales (there is a mention that these are attached, but I do not see the scales in the current version of the meeting materials)

Executive Session (45 minutes) 6:45 - 7:30 pm) to consider the minimum price at which real estate will be offered for sale or lease when public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause a likelihood of decreased price. However, final action selling or leasing public property shall be taken in a meeting open to the public.

Transportation Commission, 6:30pm (link)

Nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair 

2027-2032 Update of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Public Hearing on TIP - this is an annual process to plan for the upcoming six years of transportation improvements. It's an inventory of projects and a rough work plan. PSRC uses it to model for Air Quality conformance in regionally significant projects and track projects supported by federal funds. Since last year, there have been some additions, deletions and modifications.  The TIP draft that was discussed with the TC on Feb 12th contained most of these, but two more projects have been identified recently. #31a (Enhance pedestrian access, safety, accessibility and transit stop amenities at approximately 10-20 bus stops along Bellevue's Frequent Transit Network) is a grant candidate. #35 (enhanced multipurpose path and signalized crossing near the intersection of Bel-Red Road and NE 28th Street, supporting access to the Overlake Village light rail station) was removed, but still has some elements remaining to be built and is a grant candidate.     There are occasionally items of interest, so it's worth reviewing these.  For instance, item 116 on LWB between 100th and 99th was a ped-bike path, and this line item was removed due to being "already underway, to be complete in 2026" - I was aware of bike improvements there, but will have to review the plans again to see if there is anything for pedestrians. There is a spelling error in item 23, so it doesn't come up when you search for Grand Connection. It lists $46M in local funding and $100M of unsecured funding, so it's possible the total cost will need to be increased to align with the Council discussion last week. 

Comp Plan Amendments - minor, reflecting the extension of the TFP from 12 to 20 years and renaming of city documents. 

Saturday, May 16th 

Safe Parking Program informational open house at Newport Presbyterian Church, 10am-noon, (link)

Minutes: 

Council minutes draft from 4/28 (link)

Planning Commission draft from 4/8 (link)

Transportation Commission draft from 3/12 (link)

BSD School Board draft from 5/7 (link)

Upcoming meetings:      

5/21 Bid deadline for EASTRAIL TO NE SPRING BOULEVARD TRAIL LINK BID NUMBER: 26012

5/27 BelRed LUCA: Request to set Public Hearing, Introduction of Downtown Livability 2.0 

5/28 Public Hearing for BASIS Bellevue (K-5 school) permit in Lake Hills for 300 students (across NE 4th from the Grade 6-12 school), virtual, 6pm (link)

6/3 Arts Commission meeting 

6/4 BSD School Board Meeting

6/9 Council takes action on the TIP update 

6/10 2026 CPAs: Request to set Public Hearing (Evans Plaza upzone), High Density Residential LUCA: Introduction 

6/11 Transportation Commission: Select chair and vice chair, discuss Factoria and Eastgate transportation policies 

6/24 Planning Commission: Parking Reform LUCA: Request to set Public Hearing, Great Neighborhoods Factoria Update (and Request to set PH)

7/8 Planning Commission: BelRed Public Hearing, Great Neighborhoods Eastgate Update (and Request to set PH)

7/22 Planning Commission: Evans Plaza PH, Transportation Conformance PH, and Parking Reform LUCA PH 

7/30 BSD School Board Meeting, also 8/13 and 8/27 

Opportunities:

Kirkland is having an open house on May 13th at 10am about a $60,000 pool of TDC grant money to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays in Kirkland.

Bellevue Botanical Garden is hiring a weekend gardener, applications close May 14th. (link)

There is a Road Safety Assessment survey that asks about safety concerns in specific areas of BelRed and Wilburton. There is a questionnaire and an interactive map that you can put pins on. https://www.engagingbellevue.com/2026-rsa

Bellevue Essentials, a 10-week civic engagement course, is accepting applications for the 2026 cohort. The program will run from September to November, and participants will be able to meet leaders and learn how the city operates. Info sessions will be held on May 20th, June 18th, and June 29th. https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/community-development/neighborhoods/classes-and-events/bellevue-essentials

There are openings for high-schoolers and adult(s) on Bellevue's Youth Link Board, and you have until May 29th at 5pm to apply.

Jubilee Reach applications are being accepted until May 29th. (link) Do you love your home but is yardwork or an outside project too much to manage due to physical or financial hardship? Potential projects are yard clean-ups, bark/gravel spreading, and fence/gate/shed/deck repair and painting.

A $50,000 award from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund is expanding opportunities for young Bellevue residents to lead development of innovative climate solutions. There will be information on the Engaging Bellevue website and a June 3 program from 7-8pm. Individual grants will be up to $5,000 each.(link)

Bellevue's city Arts Program is seeking experienced public artist(s) for a large scale installation in Factoria, apply by June 7th.

Sign up to be notified about the application timeline for e-bike rebates this summer. https://bellevuewa.gov/pedal-forward-eastside This is separate from the WA state e-bike rebates that have applications at ebikerebate.wsdot-sites.com, and the Eastside ones have a higher dollar value.

Safe Routes to School Survey and Interactive Map is on Engaging Bellevue. The city would like to hear from parents, students, teachers, administrators, bus drivers and neighbors about their experience walking, biking, rolling and driving near schools. Please complete this four-question survey and tell us about things you like, as well as things you see that could improve safety near your neighborhood school. Your feedback will be incorporated into the Safe Routes to School Action Plan.

Engaging Bellevue has a map for residents to pin the kinds of community features they'd like to see in different parts of BelRed, as part of the BelRed Look Forward LUCA.   https://www.engagingbellevue.com/belred-luca There are 21 responses so far, about community and art space, festival streets, bike connections, streams, traffic and parking, and small businesses.

Bellevue is providing marketing resources and permitting guidance to businesses, organizations and individuals planning World Cup-related events. See bellevuewa.gov/world-cup.

BSD sophomores can apply to join the sustainability design team

Volunteers are needed as reading partners at Stevenson Elementary, 2:30-3:45pm (readingpartners.org/volunteer)

Fun and Educational Events this month:

See the latest at https://newbellevue.com/?page_id=82  

5/10-5/16 Connect Bellevue has a Ride2Downtown program that is promoting the Choose Your Way Bellevue $25 ORCA Try Transit cards this week (link) - May not be applicable for most people signed up for the Ride2Downtown offer emails, since it's only good for those who haven't ridden transit in the last 90 days.

5/12 Tuesday Trails 50+ Hike to Franklin Falls, $8, 10am-2pm (link) - meet at NBCC and ride to the trailhead

5/12 Bellevue Fiber Arts Club meets at NBCC, free and volunteer-led, for adults, 1-3pm - recurs 6/9, 7/14, and 8/11 - volunteers needed

5/12 Meet the Bees at KidsQuest: Pollinator Celebration, 2-4pm

5/12 Startup425 Accelerator Cohort 4 Demo Day in Renton, 4-6pm

5/12 Homework Help for K-12 at Newport Way Library, 5-7pm (link) - weekly through 6/9

5/12 Bellevue Spanish Language Meetup Group at El Tapatio, 5pm (link) - meets weekly

5/12 Seattle Software Crafters: Quality Software Practices Meetup at Bellevue College, free, 5-8pm (link) - bring your laptop

5/12 Bob Ferguson fundraiser in Bellevue, 5:30pm

5/12 Greener Living Series: Make Homemade and Healthy Cleaners, Newport Way Library, 6-7pm, registration required

5/12 Registration opens for the Bellevue Library Makerspace Intro to Autodesk Fusion class, held on 5/19, 6-7pm (link)

5/12 ISACA Annual General Meeting and Operationalizing AI Governance at Scale at Embassy Suites, 6pm (Eventbrite)

5/12 Soccer Season Opener with Midlakes United v. Bellevue Athletic match on their shared home field, 6:30pm (link) - food truck will be Stanford's

5/12 Sunset Paddle on Meydenbauer Bay, 6:30pm (link)

5/12 Climbing meetup at Edgeworks, 6:30pm (link) - meets weekly

5/12 Calligraphy Class at Suite, $65, 6:30-8pm (link) - includes a starter calligraphy kit that's yours to keep

5/12 Queer Climb Night at Edgeworks Bellevue, 7pm (Eventbrite)

5/13 Bike Everywhere Day Celebration stations at Evergreen Point lookout on the 520 Trail and on the I-90 trail at 109th, 7-10am

5/13 Tai Chi on the Terrace at the Westin, free, 8am (Eventbrite) - repeats on 5/13, 5/20, and 5/27 and also on Thursday evenings

5/13 Clean Buildings Performance Standard Coffee Panel at City Hall, $30, 9:30-11am, (link)

5/13 Medicare 101 presentation at Overlake Medical Center, free 9:30am (link) - this program is offered monthly

5/13 TRACKS Wednesday Walk and Roll for little ones at Surrey Downs Park, 10:30am-noon, must pre-register (link) - no age specified, but it looks like fun for 5 and under, especially if you bring a little bike. Recurs weekly on Wednesdays in May.

5/13 Bellevue Chamber hosts Eastside B2B Professional Alliance networking at Lincoln Square, 11:30-1pm (link)

5/13 Newport Way Library Teen Volunteer Council Meeting, grades 9-12, 2-3:30pm (link)

5/13 Visit Bellevue's BOOST info session about sports tourism in Bellevue at Meydenbauer Center, 3-4:30pm

5/13 All Ages Boardgame Afternoon at the Newport Way Library, 3:30-5:30pm (link) - recurs 6/10

5/13 Bridging Data, Security, and AI - A Seattle Data AI and Security meetup at Bellevue City Hall, 4:30-8pm (link) - Speakers from Cogzia, Andesite, and Upwork

5/13 Pruning Basics class with Plant Amnesty at BBG, $15, 6-7pm (link)

5/13 Mingo (Musical Bingo) at the Brown Family Vineyards Tasting Room, 6-8pm, free to pre-register (link) - repeats 5/27, 6/10, and 6/24

5/13 Seattle Adult Casual Baseball second game of season at Wilburton Hill Park, $99 for the 16 game season - every Wednesday from 6-8:30pm, registration is open now

5/13 Annual Vendor Showcase at Armada Design Center, 6-8pm - for designers and industry professionals, free food and drinks

5/13 Pajama Story Time at Lake Hills Library, ages 0-5, 6:15-7pm (link) - recurs weekly

5/13 Nihongo - English Language Exchange at Fluffy Donut Cafe & Bagels, 6:30pm (link) - weekly event

5/13 Board Games at Applebee's in BelRed with the Millenial Social Club, 6:30-8:30pm (link), recurs on Wednesdays

5/13 Creating Communites of Hope at Eastside Baha'i Center, 6:30pm (link)

5/13 Bellydance Workout with Nalini at NIKA, 7:40-8:40pm (link) - beginners and experienced dancers welcome, recurs weekly

5/14 Bellevue Botanical Garden is hiring a weekend gardener, applications close May 14th. (link) 

5/14 Bellevue Chamber's Executive Business Roundtable: Sit Down w/ Dow Constantine at the Bellevue Club, 7:30-9am (link) - for chamber members

5/14 Northwest Summit for Financial Professionals at Meydenbauer Center

5/14 Preschool (ages 3-5) Story Time at the Bellevue Library, 10:30-11:15am (link) - recurs weekly

5/14 Mending Circle at Bellevue Library Makerspace, 13+, 11am-noon (link) - recurs weekly through 6/25

5/14 Baby Story Time at the Bellevue Library, 11:30am-12:15pm (link) - recurs weekly

5/14 Mid-day Mindfulness in the James Turrell Skyspace at the Henry Art Gallery at UW in Seattle, 11:30 (link)

5/14 My Owners Circle Eastside at Bis on Main, 3-4:30pm (link) - second Thursdays

5/14 Preschool (ages 3-5) Art Cart at the Newport Way Library, 4-5:30pm (link) - recurs monthly - event has been canceled

5/14 Teen Makerspace at Crossroads Community Center, 4-5:30pm - repeats weekly through 5/28

5/14 Old Bellevue Wine Walk, VIP entry starts at 4pm, GA at 5:30pm, $40/$65.

5/14 Thirsty Thursday business networking, free, 4:30pm (Eventbrite)

5/14 Flower Hour: The Rock Garden class at BBG, $15, 5-6pm (link)

5/14 BelRed Run Club Thursday Run/Walk starting from Downtown Park, 5:30pm - register on Strava

5/14 Tai Chi on the Terrace at the Westin, free, 5:30-6:30pm (Eventbrite) - repeats 5/21, and 5/28 and also on Wednesday mornings

5/14 Spanish Practicing Meetup at Bellden Cafe, 5:30-6:30pm (link) - recurs every other Thursday through early summer

5/14 Yoga in the Park with Art of Living, 6-7:30pm (link)

5/14 Cultural Conversations event: Sharing Our Story at Crossroads Community Center, 6:30-8pm (link) - light refreshments provided

5/14 Thursday Thrillers Book Club: Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers, 6:30-8:30pm (link)

5/14 Seattle Singles Event (25-40) at Dave and Buster's in Bellevue, 7pm (Eventbrite)

5/15 DAMA Day Data Management conference at Meydenbauer Center, $125, 7:30am-7pm (link)

5/15 Energy Efficiency Tour of Overlake Medical Center, $30, 9:30-11am (link) - more than 40 efficiency measures that achieved a 16.3% reduction in energy use

5/15 Women's Networking with CEO Society on Mercer Island, 10am (link) - connect with a community of female founders

5/15 Community Connect: Utilities Budget and Rates Open House at NBCC, 11am-2pm (link) - also 5/20 at SBCC and 5/27 at City Hall

5/15 Bellevue Japanese English Language Exchange at Meet Fresh!, 6-8pm (link) - waitlist

5/15 Saha Summer Soiree at Third Culture Coffee, 6:30-9pm - this sold out via whatsapp, but there will be future events

5/15-5/16 Second and final weekend of Theatre 33's Diagnostic réservé by Jean-Pierre Martinez, a dark comedy set in a hospital waiting room, where strangers await life-changing news, French with English subtitles, 8pm (link)

5/15 Massy Ferguson: Amplified Americana at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)

5/16-5/17 Dozer Day in Puyallup, $12, entry 9am-2pm and 9am-1pm (link) - several kid-operator construction activity zones

5/16 Ascend Eucharistic Revival Procession and one-day event at Meydenbauer Center (link)

5/16 Saturday morning walk at Downtown Park,9am (link) - recurs weekly

5/16 Venture Saturday at Bellevue College, $20, 9:30am-8:30pm (link)

5/16 Ecoprint on Paper at BBG, 10am-noon, (link) - class full

5/16 Kickoff Seminar for the Big Hug Youth Impact Lab Opioid Prevention Leadership Program at City Hall, 10am-noon

5/16 Safe Parking Program informational open house at Newport Presbyterian Church, 10am-noon, (link)

5/16-5/17 Chinese Floral Art Exhibition by the Hua Yuan School, free, 10-5pm both days (link)

5/16 Rumba del Barrio salsa and bachata festival at Bravo Dance School, also 5/17 (Eventbrite)

5/16 Photowalk with Kate Hailey at Bellevue Downtown Park, free, 10am (link)

5/16 Spring R&B High Tea presented by Blend Coffee at Elements Apartments, 11am (Eventbrite)

5/16 Petals and Wings: Garden Stories from India at the new Viya Contemporary gallery space in Avenue, 11am-1:30pm - beginner friendly mixed-media workshop

5/16 Meet me at the Henry (Seattle), 11am (link)

5/16 Registration opens for an Autodesk Fusion: Create a Fidget class at Bellevue Library Makerspace, 5/23 11:30-2pm (link)

5/16 Rainbow Elder Play and Connect (board games) at Crossroads Community Center, free, noon-2pm

5/16 Protecting Our Pollinators class at BBG, $15, 1-2:30pm (link)

5/16 Teen Makerspace at Crossroads Community Center, 1-4pm

5/16 King County community repair event at Woodinville Library, 1:30-4:30pm - volunteer fixers help you keep things out of the landfill.

5/16 Chinese Book Group: The Blind Watch-Maker at Bellevue Library, 2-3:30pm (link)

5/16 Lego Block Party at Newport Way Library, ages 4+, 2-4pm (link)

5/16 Math Club at Bellevue Library: Sudoku for kids K-5, 2-4pm (link) - different activities each week

5/16 Latinas Curated Pop Up Market at Bellden Cafe, 2-5pm - wearable art, desserts, clothing, jewelry and crafts

5/16 Steve Smith Drum Clinic at West Coast Drum Shop in BelRed, $30, 3pm

5/16 Diversity in Heritage AANHPI event at Eastside Bahai Center, 3-5pm (link)

5/16 Registration opens for an 3D Slicer (Prusa) class at Bellevue Library Makerspace, 5/23 4-5pm (link)

5/16 Champions of Youth Gala to support Boys and Girls Club of Bellevue - volunteers needed for event set up, reception, general event, auction and event break down support.

5/16 Club Millennial + Black book at Legion Sports Bar, 5pm (Eventbrite)

5/16 Black & Bling Fundraiser by Eastside Friends to support Seattle Children's Hospital and families, 5pm

5/16 Africa Fashion Week Seattle at Vasa Park Resort in Bellevue, 6-10pm (Eventbrite)

5/16 Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert at Bastyr University Chapel (not Bellevue), also 5/18

5/16 Scott Losse at Forum Social House (comedy), 7pm (Eventbrite) - event not found?

5/16 Taken By the Sky: A Fleetwood Mac Experience at Bake's Place, 6-7:30pm and 8:30-10pm (link)

5/17 Application Deadline for Bellevue's Emerging Artist Program, $75k budget for each project

5/17 Shut Up and Write at Cafe Hagen, 9-10am (link) - recurs weekly

5/17 Intro to Row session at Lake Washington Rowing Club with Outdoor Asian in Seattle, 9-11:30am

5/17 Pilates: The Tempo Edit at Fabletics Bellevue Square, 9:30-11am (Eventbrite)

5/17 Lululemon x Aya Pilates x Crunch & Brunch at Bellevue Square, 10am (Eventbrite) -sold out

5/17 Escape Room Meetup at Mox Boardinghouse, 10am-1pm (link)

5/17 Eastrail Partners bike ride on Kirkland Eastrail, with Chainline Station afterward, 11am-1pm

5/17 Russian Storytime at Bellevue Library, 1-1:30pm (link)

5/17 Storytime for K-2 at BBG, 1-1:30pm

5/17 Board Games and Boba with the Millenial Social Club at Lincoln Square, 1-5pm (link) - recurs weekly

5/17 Sawubona Festival "I See You" at Bellevue College, 2-4pm (link) - a vibrant celebration of African Diaspora cultures.

5/17 Bellevue Knotty Knitters at Lincoln Square, 3-5pm (link)

5/18 Energy Smart Eastside offers a Heat Pump Workshop in Kirkland, 2:30-4pm

5/18 Line Dancing at Crossroads Community Center, free, 18+, 5:30-7:30pm - recurs weekly until 6/15

5/18 Toastmasters Public Speaking meetup at Bellevue City Hall, 6-7:30pm (link) - recurring

5/18 MLSys 2026 Happy Hour by LMSYS and Ai2, a SGLang meetup sponsored by Crusoe and Doubleword, 6-9pm (link) - there will be a talk from 7-7:30pm

5/18 Korean-English Language Exchange at Crossroads, 6:30-8:30pm (link) - recurs weekly

5/18 A Capella Joy Chorus rehearsal at Crossroads, 7-10pm (link) - new members welcome

5/18 Chessbar meetup at Tapster, 7pm - recurs on Mondays

5/19 Tuesday Trails 50+ Hike to Osprey Park, $8, 10am-2pm (link) - meet at NBCC and ride to the trailhead

5/19 Trips and Tours goes to Seattle Asian Art Museum for a guided tour, 55+, $10, 11:30am-3:45pm (link) - meet at NBCC and optional home pickup

5/19 Library lecture on Poets and their Muses in Russian at the Bellevue Library, noon-2pm (link)

5/19 HRMVMT Coffee and Cowork at Cafe Hagen in Kirkland, noon-2pm (link)

5/19 Ladies Musical Club Concert at Crossroads Community Center, free, 18+, 1-2pm

5/19 Navigating the Landscape of Commercial Real Estate at PeopleSpace, 4pm

5/19 Agentic + AI Observability meetup at Databricks, 5-8:30pm (luma) - presentations from Databricks and Anthropic

5/29 Perplexity Happy Hour at MLSys, 6pm (link)

5/19 108 Asian Cookies author Kat Lieu will be at Newport Way Library, 6-7:30pm (link) - Kat will bring spices and sauces to share in a discussion on baking with Asian flavors and ingredients, along with a mini-cookies tasting. Free to register but space is limited.

5/19 Midlakes United soccer match vs FC Olympia, $15/$11, 6:30-9pm (link) - food truck will be El Gran Taco

5/20 Tenderfoot Adventures 55+ Hike at BBG/Kelsey Creek, $15, 9:30-11:30am (link)

5/20 Bellevue Consult and Connect for mental health providers, free, 9-11:30am (link) - recurs on 3rd Wednesdays

5/20 Bellevue Library Book Group discusses Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, 11am-1pm (link)

5/20 Bellevue College Annual Networking and Job Fair, free, 11:30am-2pm (link) - you don't need to be a student to participate

5/20 Senior Housing Protections talk with an ombudsman at Tutta Bella, 11:30am (Eventbrite)

5/20 Bellevue Essentials Info Session, 12-12:30pm (link) - virtual

5/20 Opportunity to meet Christian Louboutin in-person at Nordstrom and have him sign a shoe or handbag, 1-3pm - space is limited and requires purchase of a product in the month of May, contact Nordy King

5/20 Lego Brick Builders activity at Bellevue Library, 1:30-2:30pm (link) - recurs weekly through 7/1

5/20 Community Connect: Utilities Budget and Rates Open House at SBCC, 4-6pm (link) - also 5/27 at City Hall

5/20 After School Story Hour at Newport Way Library with games, crafts, and a read-along for ages 5 and older, 4:30-6pm (link) - event has been canceled.

5/20 Self-Care Soiree on Mercer Island, 5-9pm (link) - longevity and biohacking for women

5/20 Big Data Bellevue Meetup at Bellevue Library, 6:30-7:30pm (link) - also 6/17

5/20 Databricks @ MLSys Networking Event, 6:30pm (luma)

5/21 Eastside Audubon and Kenmore Camera Wildlife Photo Walk at Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland, 7:30-9:30am (link)

5/21 Waterfront Shuttle starts service in Seattle, will operate through Labor Day

5/21 Audubon Bird Walk at BBG, $5, 9-10:30am (link)

5/21 Chamber Lunch: Westside Story, Seattle Edition at the W Bellevue, 11:30am-1pm (link) 

5/21 Bellevue Farmers Market Opening Day, 3pm

5/21 Registration opens for the Bellevue Library Makerspace Intro to Microcontrollers class on 5/28, 4:30-5:30pm (link)

5/21 Data & Drinks Happy Hour with Komprise, EverPure, and Datec at The Redd Dog, 4:30pm (Eventbrite)

5/21 MLSys '26 Swing Suite Rewind, a Snorkel AI community event, 5-8pm (link)

5/21 Seattle Indies Game Showcase at Niantic, 5:30-9pm (link)

5/21 Seattle Rust Users Group at Bellevue City Hall, 6-8pm (link)

5/21 Bellevue Game Designers' Meetup at Mox Boarding House, 6-9pm (link) - recurs on 3rd Thursdays

5/21 No Dumb Questions community-building tools at Crossroads Community Room, free, 6pm (Eventbrite)

5/22 State Rep. Janice Zahn campaign event at 5:30pm

5/22 Crossroads Community Room Board Game meetup with Japan Seattle ABC Network, 6-8:30pm (link) - Japanese and English language learners welcome, may go to Applebee's afterward - recurs 6/26

5/22 Midlakes United soccer match vs. Tacoma Stars, $15/$11, 6:30-9pm (link) - food truck will be Thai U Up

5/22 Twilight in the Wetland at Mercer Slough, recommended 5+, 7-8:30pm, must pre-register (link)

5/22 Brunch After Dark (B.A.D.) at Primo's, 7:30pm (Eventbrite)

5/22 Darelle Holden at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)

5/23 HIIT Class hosted by Vuori at Bellevue Square, free to register, 8-9am (Eventbrite) - sold out

5/23 Keep Bellevue Beautiful - West Bellevue (link)

5/23 Conservatively (not politically) Speaking Toastmasters Club at St Madeleine, 9-10:30am (link)

5/23 Basics of Successful Vegetable Growing at the Bellevue Demonstration Garden, 10-11:30am (link)

5/23 Kin On Cross-Cultural Community Cafe at Westminster Chapel Church, 10am-noon - bringing together seniors, youth, and families affected by dementia across cultures - also 6/27, 7/25, 8/22, and 9/26, and volunteers to help with greeting guests and serving hot drinks are needed.

5/23 Photowalk at Bellevue Downtown Park with Kate Hailey Photography, free signup, 10am-noon (link)

5/23 CommUnity Jam: Multicultural Arts Festival at Jing Mei Elementary, free, no tickets needed, 11am-4pm - with traditions of harvest festivals, storytelling, Afro-beats, House, Bachata, & Reggaeton, part of Cross-Cultural Center Without Walls

5/23 AI Safety and Awareness workshop on where AI is going at the Kirkland Library, free, 3:45-5:15pm (link)

5/23 Eastside FIRE Goal Sharing and Budgets at Capital One Cafe, 4-6pm (link)

5/23 Bollysteps Dance showcase Nachle 14 at Meydenbauer Center, 5-8pm (link) - there are also shows on 5/24 at 11:30am (link) and 5pm (link)

5/23 Math Club at Bellevue Library: Tangrams and Fractals for kids K-5, 2-4pm (link) - different activities each week

5/23 Pasifika Luau Experience — Live Polynesian Show + Island Buffet, $100, 5-8pm (link)

5/23 Bellevue Fashion Show 2026 at the Bellevue Family YMCA, $25, 5:30-8:30pm (link) - organized by Empire of God and former mayor Lynne Robinson

5/23 Eastside Improv Spring Show at Theatre33, 7-8pm (link)

5/23 The Chicago Transit Experience at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)

5/23 Gen-Zindagi - 2010s and up pop, house, and high nakhra, 10pm (Eventbrite)

5/24 BelRed Bike Club starts at Marymoor in Redmond and rides through Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish, 30 miles, register on Strava, 9am

5/24 Beyond Yoga free mat Pilates class at Bellevue Square, free, 10am (Eventbrite)

5/25 Murph Fitness Challenge community workout at Samena, 8am (link)

5/26 Tuesday Trails 50+ Hike to Redmond Watershed, $8, 10am-2pm (link) - meet at NBCC and ride to the trailhead

5/26 Midlakes United vs. Bigfoot soccer match, 6:30pm - food truck will be Pizzamaniac

5/27 2026 Breakfast for Justice at Meydenbauer Center, 7am, supporting legal aid in King County

5/27 Beyond the Build Habitat for Humanity Annual Luncheon

5/27 Community Connect: Utilities Budget and Rates Open House at City Hall, 11:30-1:30pm (link)

5/27 Mod Pizza fundraiser for Chinook Middle School PTSA with code MODGIVES25

5/27 Newport Way Library Teen Volunteer Council Meeting, grades 9-12, 2-3:30pm (link)

5/28 @Scale Systems and Reliability Conference - date moved to 6/25

5/28 Eastside Leadership Initiative's Believe event, $25, 5-7pm (link) - highlighting smaller and newer non-profits

5/28 Painting & Prosecco at Kitchen & Market (Yarrow Bay in Kirkland), 5-7pm (Eventbrite)

5/28 Public Hearing for BASIS Bellevue (K-5 school) permit in Lake Hills for 300 students (across NE 4th from the Grade 6-12 school), virtual, 6pm (link)

5/28 Bellevue Women's Book Club reads Alison Elspach's The Wedding People, 6:30pm (meetup)

5/29 Bike Classes at Bellevue Library for Bike Everywhere Month, free, Intro to Bike Commuting at11:15am (link) and Bike Maintenance for Every Commuter at 12:30pm (link) - registration not required

5/29 Deadline to apply for Bellevue's Youth Link Board, with teen openings and possibly an adult opening

5/29 Art Opening at BelRed Art Studio: Visualizing Korean Cinema: “From Screen to Canvas: Reimagining Korean Cinema Through Youth Perspectives”, organized by Studio S Fine Arts, free, 4-8pm (link)

5/29 Bellevue Women's Book Club: The Wedding People by Alison Elspach, 6:30-8pm (link)

5/29 Open Mic Night at Third Culture Coffee, 7-9pm - signups start at 6pm

5/29 Paint and Sip: Mom's Bouquet at Northwest Arts Center, non-alcoholic beverages, 16+, 7-9pm

5/29 From the Ground Up rap concert at Third Culture Coffee, free, 7:30pm (peytspencer.com/rsvp)- by Microsoft engineer Peyt Spencer, also 5/30

5/29 Jake La Botz performs at Spring District Studios, 8pm-midnight (link) - They're Coming For Me deftly ties threads from La Botz's background in Chicago blues, gospel, early rock 'n roll, American folksong traditions, and a dash of country twang into a grooving knot of warm-timbred Americana.

5/29 Umami Jazz Fusion at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)

5/30 Pollinator Fest at 21 Acres in Woodinville

5/30 King County Fire Chiefs Association Diversity and Recruitment Workshop at Bellevue College, ages 16+, 8am-3:30pm - register by May 25th and receive useful information on navigating the hiring process

5/30 ARC Lifeguard Recertification class at Bellevue Club, 10am-8pm (link) - recurs 5/31, 6/27, and 6/28

5/30 Garden Tool Sharpening at the Bellevue Demonstration Garden, 18+, free, 10-11:30am

5/30 Rock Garden Plant Sale at BBG, 10am-1pm

5/30 Lovable Founder Series: Eastside Edition at GIX in the Spring District, free, 11am-3pm (luma) - event full, but volunteers needed, and there may be opportunities to present - founder showcase, demo, and breakout rooms to build with free credits

5/30 MAPS Eid Celebration at Downtown Park, 11:30am-7pm (link) - cultural activities, traditional attire, handicrafts, food stalls, and children’s games 

5/30 Workshop: AI Across Generations and Cultures at Jing Mei Elementary, free, 1-5:30pm (link) - families, elders, youth, small businesses all welcome

5/30 Ranger-led Hike at Mercer Slough Nature Park, 2-3:30pm

5/9 Math Club at Bellevue Library: Math Card Games for kids K-5, 2-4pm (link) - different activities each week

5/30 Improvised Character Lab at Theatre 33, $50, 2-4pm (link)

5/30 Nature Journaling for Teens at Newport Way Library, Grades 5-9, 2:30-4:30pm (link) - recurs on last Saturdays of the month

5/30 Screening and artist talk at Bellevue Library, Illuminate: Bright Tongue film by Soo Hong, 3-4:15pm (link)

5/30 Monthly Eastside LGBTQ+ Happy Hour at Duke's Seafood, 3-5pm (link)

5/30 Sounds of Vacation fundraiser at Meydenbauer Center to support Listen and Talk serving deaf and hard-of-hearing children

5/30 Sam Miller comedy at Forum Social House, 7pm (link)

5/30 Bellevue Chamber Chorus concert "Let's Dance" at First United Methodist Church on 108th, 7:30pm (link) - includes professional dancers performing a galliard, hora, Irish dance, Csardas, samba, salsa, merengue, tango, and swing - there will also be a Seattle performance on 5/31

5/30 From the Ground Up rap concert at Third Culture Coffee, free, 7:30pm (peytspencer.com/rsvp)- by Microsoft engineer Peyt Spencer

5/30 Laurel Canyon Legacy: Carole King's Tapestry at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)

You can find June and July events at https://newbellevue.com/?page_id=82