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Changes Planned for the Marketplace at Factoria
flickr/William Forney
Its been rumored for years that Factoria Mall would be redeveloped to make better use of the large parcel. The mall and several free standing buildings currently occupy the 43 acre site. An application for design review has been submitted to the City of Bellevue for redevelopment of the Marketplace at Factoria. Eight phases are planned which will include expanding current retail space, adding a multi-family residential building, 150 room hotel, office buildings and renovation of the existing mall to increase the size and create an open-air shopping mall. Current retail tenants may need to be relocated throughout the redevelopment process that will add 151,000 square feet of retail to the mall’s current 525,948 square feet. The project will be completed in 8 phases.
Improvements include pedestrian improvements to create a safer walking environment, enhanced landscaping, an extension of the bike/pedestrian path and a new crosswalk across SE 38th Street.
Later phases of the project will add a large gathering plaza to connect to two new office buildings to be constructed on the current Walmart site, which will be moved to a new location within the project.
Downtown Bellevue Fall Color
Every year I watch for this maple tree in McCormick Park to change color. Each year the color is a bit different but it never disappoints. The fall colors around downtown Bellevue this season have been exceptionally vibrant – maybe the hot weather the end of summer, the smoke in September or exceptionally cold temperatures earlier this month had something to do with the abundance of fall color this year. Downtown Bellevue has so many parks and tree lined streets offering an amazing variety of color. Take the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fall colors before the rain and wind predicted for later this week end the beautiful fall display.
VOTE! Locate Your Nearest Ballot Drop Box or Vote Center
flickr/Barry Schwartz
Election Day is just 20 days away. Washington State ballots will be mailed this week, so watch for yours in your mailbox. A brisk voter turnout is expected, so it’s recommended you complete and return your ballot early – either by mail or deliver it to one of the official ballot drop boxes.
Bellevue has three ballot drop box locations:
Downtown Bellevue/Bellevue Library
1111 110th Avenue NE
Crossroads Mall (south entrance)
15600 NE 8th Street
Newport Way Library
14250 SE Newport Way
To find ballot box locations in other cities, if you have questions about or need to update your voter registration, or if you need assistance call or email King County Elections at 206-296-8683 or elections@kingcounty.gov. You can go online and track your ballot after you’ve delivered your ballot.
This Year’s Best Places to Live List
photo credit: flickr/Tri Nguyen
Every year Livability.com ranks the best 100 small to midsize cities to live in the country based on affordability, safety, economic stability, outdoor recreation, accessibility and community engagement. This year the survey added an “opportunity score” which reflects the city’s job offerings, economic resilience and growth.
Fort Collins, CO was ranked the best place to live in 2020 followed by:
- Fort Collins, CO
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Madison, WI
- Portland, ME
- Rochester, NY
- Asheville, NC
- Overland Park, KS
- Fargo, ND
- Durham, NC
- Sioux Falls, SD
The Pacific Northwest was well represented with nine cities making the list:
Corvalis, OR #19
Bellingham, WA #33
Bend, OR #45
Eugene, OR #46
Spokane, WA #49
Vancouver, WA #59
Olympia, WA #66
Beaverton, OR #67
Tacoma, WA #75
To view the entire list of this year’s best places to live visit Livability.com.
Halloween Family Fun
flickr/Denis Collette
Social distancing restrictions are going to limit traditional Halloween activities this year. If you’re looking for a fun family event, check out Bellevue’s Vasa Park Resort Drive-In Theatre. Classic Halloween movies will be shown this weekend and again the weekend of October 23rd/24th.
Some dates are already sold out . . . visit Vasa Park’s website (https://www.vasaparkresorteventcenter.com) for the movie schedule, tickets and concessions menu.
Friday, October 9th Hocus Pocus sold out
Saturday, October 10th Coco: Day of the Dead sold out
Friday, October 23rd Addams Family
Fall Weather and Rain are the New Normal
It looks like fall weather and rain are the new normal. I can’t remember the last time our morning walk required rain gear for both me and the dog. Fall arrived this week leaving no doubt there has been a change in seasons. Fortunately Duffy loves wearing his rain and winter coats. He’s built pretty low to the ground, so the rain coat only keeps the upper half of his body dry. Love that wet dog fragrance.
Downtown Bellevue’s Condo Market is Doing Just Fine
Downtown Bellevue Skyline
As we enter the seventh month of pandemic survival all indications are the downtown Bellevue condo market has remained strong. Media articles predicted homeowners, driven by pandemic concerns, might choose to abandon the city for suburban homes offering more indoor and outdoor space. Homeowners may be departing Manhattan and San Francisco, but Bellevue’s urban condo marketplace is doing just fine. There was a slight and not unexpected decline in real estate activity in the early weeks of the pandemic – we all had to learn how to move about safely – but recent NWMLS data shows condo sales in downtown Bellevue have rebounded. Fifty condos in the central business district sold in the last 3 months and half of those sold at or over the list price. Those homes were on the market an average of 34 days and had a median sales price of $865,100. (An increase of just over 6% over last year.) Currently 68 condos are listed for sale with a median list price of $874,975.
While many are still working remotely, it’s unlikely that will continue either full time or permanently. Half a dozen office projects are under construction downtown, most of which are already leased. Amazon, along with many other companies, are continuing to expand or relocate to downtown Bellevue and the Spring District. Employees are expected to start returning to downtown office buildings next year which is likely to add to the demand for housing near workplaces, amenities and light rail.
Bellevue is a great example of a desirable live/work/play community. It has a vibrant central business district with an active arts and entertainment scene supported by world class dining and shopping options. Easy freeway access and the completion of light rail will add convenience and speed to getting around Bellevue and the Eastside.
Is everyone rushing to the suburbs? No. The pandemic may have inspired some to seek a permanent, more remote lifestyle. As the city returns to normal and continues to grow, urban living will continue to be in demand.
