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Letter from the Prez - Gratitude

Holiday season is in full swing here in downtown Bellevue, and even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, there is so much to be grateful for.

We are thankful for BDA members. Our dues renewals went out last week, and this is a good time to remind you that everyone in your company or organization is a member of the Bellevue Downtown Association. We held the line on dues this year, absorbing cost increases by making cuts in our budget. Let’s leverage the value of your membership by identifying more of your people to add to our email list. If there are additional people you want to receive this newsletter, please them know to sign up here. And don’t worry, we never share or sell our lists to third parties, so the only communications they’ll receive are from us.

Another thing we’re grateful for is a City Council that unanimously agreed with us that East Link light rail needs to be brought through downtown Bellevue in a tunnel. We recognize and thank all the City Council members and City staff who worked tirelessly on behalf of Bellevue citizens to achieve an historic agreement to co-fund the tunnel solution. Keeping trains off congested downtown streets was a consensus goal all along, and with creativity and persistence, they reached a fair and constructive agreement. We’re also grateful for our Board members and others who came out to numerous public meetings and hearings, testified and/or sent letters to the City and Sound Transit urging them to reach agreement. Read more in Patrick Bannon’s column in this issue.

Lastly, we should all be grateful for the many people who work tirelessly to provide joy, celebration and charity during the holidays. Major events like Snowflake Lane, the Magic Season Ice Arena, Garden d’Lights and holiday performances at the Theatre at Meydenbauer Center keep your social and family calendar full throughout the next five weeks. Also, numerous organizations provide needed food and care to those less fortunate in our community. So do yourself - and all of them - a favor by taking part in the activities and in the giving.

He who wished to secure the good of others has already secured his own.
- Confucious