Attend civic meetings at City Hall or online – the schedule, agenda, and meeting materials can be found at https://bellevue.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Sign up for the weekly newsletter about city meetings using the link in the upper right.
Surveys:
Engaging Bellevue has online engagement hubs for the Great Neighborhoods work for West Lake Sammamish and Lake Hills.
A survey on community experiences and perspectives on life in Bellevue is open until August 10th (link), looks like it has been extended until August 17th. The survey includes questions about neighborhoods, housing, parks, arts and culture, and sense of community. Results will help the city assess service performance and identify priorities for improvement.
A Transportation Investment Survey is open from now until August 20th (link), and it is very short, just asking how you get around now and where you think money should be spent.
The City of Bellevue has heard that we need more space for hosting outdoor events, and has engaged a consulting team to explore this. If you have an interest in hosting events like this of any size, please complete the survey by August 21st.
Comment on plans for a new park in BelRed at the Community Meeting at Crossroads Community Center, August 27th, 6-7:30pm (link) – there will also be a virtual meeting on 9/3
Bellevue College LUCA survey is open until August 31st (link)
Downtown Livability land use planning survey is open until August 31st. (link) – What would encourage you to spend more time in Downtown Bellevue? What is your favorite aspect of Old Main? Do you agree that the Grand Connection creates a welcoming environment to walk/roll in? What types of open space should the city prioritize downtown, and what amenities should be included? What building design features most positively impact your downtown experience?
Budget Feedback survey is open until September 8th. (link)
There will be a workshop on the state of electrical service reliability in Bellevue, hosted by PSE and the city (hybrid), on September 24th at 4pm (link) – please submit questions by September 17th.
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, and this will be open until September 30. Changes to that part of Wilburton are occuring as part of Urban Core Bike Network Phase 1, which should have striping complete in roughly mid-August. https://www.engagingbellevue.com/2026-rsa – also see walk audit on 8/22
Park System Update Survey is open until October 31st. (link)
Off-leash dog park survey: See background info and survey link at https://bellevuewa.gov/dogs
Bellevue is preparing the preliminary 2027-28 Budget to present to the public and City Council this September; community members will have multiple ways to learn more and weigh in on budget and transportation investments.
Nominations are open from now until September 18th for the Uncommon Thinkers Awards 2026 through Greater Seattle Partners and Geekwire.
The city wants comment from business owners and operators on simplifying the square footage tax calculation and moving the business license from a one-time fee to an annual renewal with a tiered fee structure. No close date is published; plan is to gather feedback over the summer and bring a refined proposal to Council in the fall.
Opportunities:
Registration has opened for Parks programs featured in the September-December activity guide (link). Financial assistance is available, and many programs are free.
Bellevue’s CERT Basic Course: Community Emergency Response Team training is a hands-on course offered from 9/15-11/3 on Tuesdays, 6-8:45pm, final event on 11/7 – learn preparedness, fire safety, light search and rescue, disaster medical, and team organization.
Blood donation opportunities have been added to the event calendar for 8/21, 8/24, 8/26, and 8/28. Volunteers are needed for donor registration, monitoring donors, and promoting blood drives; these 3-4 hour shifts would be 1-2 times per month.
Bellevue residents can receive up to two free trees for their yard, and community organizations and multifamily buildings can receive up to 20. Apply now until August 17th or until all trees have been given away. – all trees have been assigned, but it’s still possible to sign up for the waitlist.
Applications are being accepted now for the Startup425 cohort that is launching on August 24th (link)
Keep Bellevue Beautiful cleanups are being held every other week on Saturday mornings, see Event Calendar.
Volunteers are needed each week at the Bellevue Farmers Market Sign-ups are open for the 2026 season; roles include info booth, set-up/tear-down, vendor support, market day champions, photographer, and Kids POP Club, for all ages and abilities with no experience necessary. The market is also seeking Adopt-a-Board volunteers to place an A-board sign near their home each Thursday. Ongoing through the 2026 market season. (link) (Adopt-a-Board form: link)
ArtsFund is partnering with Allen Family Philanthropies on the fourth round of funding for the Community Accelerator Grant, which will be $10M, and the deadline to apply is August 21st at 5pm (link)
Sign-up now to participate in the Community Walk Audit on August 22nd (link)
4Culture has a Landmarks Capital grant, and Intent to Apply is due August 27th.
Volunteers are needed now for Kin On’s Seniors’ Day at Bellevue City Hall on August 29th: Setup and Cleanup, Registration, Greeter, Food & Refreshments, Photography & Videography, Activity & Workshop Support, Stage Support, Translation (Chinese/English), Parking Direction
The FearLess, Tech More Innovation Challenge from UW is open to middle and high school students, and there will be a virtual info session on September 23rd from 4-5pm
Bellevue Chamber’s New Executives program is taking applications now for the Fall 2026 cohort, which will meet 9/24-11/18.
Random Play Dance (RPD+) K-Pop Play Day 2 is returning to Bellevue City Hall on September 26th, from 10am-5pm (link). Casting is in progress for the dance crews, vocalists, RPD leaders, station crew at the event. There are also opportunities to set up an indoor or outdoor table for $300/$200, and community partners can provide in-kind support. Confirm before the poster and print deadline (August 15) for greatest visibility.
Fiesta del Maiz is returning to Crossroads Park on October 3rd from noon-5pm, and is calling for food vendors, art vendors, presenters, and youth showcase participants. Organizers are expecting 600 to 1000 attendees. You can find info at IG: fiesta_del_maiz
Artist applications open now for Yuan Ru’s Living Roots show, which will be mid-October
Seattle Bazart, the organizers of the Factoria Seoulful pop-up market, is looking for vendor participants in a Korean market this Nov 21-29 and an Asian market from December 5-13. You can choose to participate in one weekend or both. Early bird discount ends 8/31.
Bellevue Office of Housing / ARCH – $25 million affordable housing RFP. The Office of Housing is requesting proposals from affordable housing developers and operators for up to $24.95M: up to $13.95M from the Housing Stability Program and up to $11M from city housing reserves. Eligible uses include site acquisition, new construction, and operations and services for households below 60% AMI, with a preference for units below 30% AMI. The required pre-application conference must happen no later than Friday, August 14, and proposals are due 5pm Friday, September 11 (link).
ARCH Housing Trust Fund 2026 round. Approximately $7M is available for creating and preserving affordable housing for households earning up to 50% of AMI in East King County, in coordination with King County, the state Department of Commerce, and the Housing Finance Commission (link).