Seastside Newsletter #105

Bellevue:

News:

• Bellevue to close Lake Hills Boulevard for 60 days to replace aging culvert: Bellevue Utilities is starting a major infrastructure project in mid-March to replace the deteriorating Kelsey Creek Culvert under Lake Hills Boulevard, which will require a full closure of the road between 151st and 154th avenues Southeast for about two months. The existing culvert is too small and showing signs of instability, and the city is using this opportunity to also upgrade nearby water and sewer lines to reduce flooding risk and cut down on future maintenance needs. Partial lane closures with flaggers will begin in mid-March, followed by the 60-day full closure during the most intensive construction phase, with detour routes posted throughout. (info)

• Bellevue rolls out new permit to fast-track townhouses and small multi-unit projects: Bellevue launched a new streamlined permit this month specifically for middle housing developments—projects with three to six units like townhouses, stacked flats, and cottage clusters on a single lot. The permit aims to cut through red tape and speed up approvals while still keeping neighborhood compatibility and building standards in place, responding to feedback from developers and builders who've dealt with the city's existing permit process. The move follows recent changes to Bellevue's land use code and state housing laws that now allow more housing variety in residential zones, part of the city's broader push to add housing options as the population grows. (info)

• Bellevue launches new permit to speed up small housing projects: Bellevue is introducing a new permit at the end of January designed to streamline approvals for middle housing projects—developments with three to six homes on one property, including townhouses, cottages, and stacked flats. The city says the permit will cut through layers of review that have traditionally slowed these projects down, offering a more straightforward path while still requiring developers to meet zoning and neighborhood standards. The change follows updates to local zoning rules and state housing laws that now allow more housing variety in residential areas, and city officials say it's meant to help translate those policy shifts into actual buildings as Bellevue's population continues to grow. (info)

• Developer proposes 116-unit apartment building in Bellevue's Spring District: A seven-story apartment building with 116 units is moving through the approval process at 1299 120th Avenue NE in Bellevue's Spring District, part of a larger multi-phase redevelopment plan for several blocks near the new light rail station. The project, called 12th Place Building A, would replace an existing office building and include 89 parking spaces, bike parking, and about 6,750 square feet of shared amenities like a play area and outdoor spaces for residents. It's part of the ACST Bellevue Pine Forest Master Development Plan, a privately led effort to build up the transit-oriented BelRed area in stages, with new streets and infrastructure going in first before the residential phases roll out over the next few years. (info)

Events:

• City Council Meeting on January 27th. (info)

• Small Business Workshop: Stop Chasing, Start Leading on January 28th. (info)

• Expanding Neighborhood Connections Roundtable on January 29th. (info)

• Bellevue Camp Fair on February 7th. (info)

• Keep Bellevue Beautiful - Northwest Bellevue on February 7th. (info)

Bothell & Kenmore:

News:

• No new news!!

Events:

• City Council Meeting on January 26th. (info)

• Kenmore Business Alliance Meeting on February 5th. (info)

Fall City & Snoqualmie:

News:

• Road work to cause delays in Snoqualmie and Fall City next week: The right lane of the westbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18 will close Monday, January 26 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while crews repair traffic loops, with the left lane staying open and no detour needed. Starting January 28, crews will install new guardrail on SE David Powell Road between Preston Fall City Road SE and 347th Place SE, with flaggers directing alternating traffic through a single lane during weekday work hours through February 10. Both projects are weather-dependent and drivers should expect delays, though emergency vehicles will still have access through the Fall City work zone. (info)

Events:

• Snoqualmie Valley Connect Business Networking on January 29th. (info)

• FLAG Pushcart Challenge on January 31st. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Issaquah City Council appoints Paul Adair to fill vacant seat: The Issaquah City Council has appointed Paul Adair to replace former Councilmember Zach Hall, who resigned, following an open application process and competitive interviews. Adair will serve out the remaining two years of the term until the 2027 general election results are certified. He's familiar with city business, having previously served on the Park Board and the Safety and Public Facilities Task Force. (info)

• Issaquah School District asks voters to renew three levies in February: Issaquah School District is asking voters to renew three existing levies on the February 10 ballot—Educational Programs & Operations, Capital, and Transportation—that together fund about 16.6% of the district's general budget and cover services the state doesn't fully pay for, like special education, counseling, technology, building repairs, and bus fleet upgrades. The levies aren't new taxes but renewals of funding approved in 2022 that expires this year, and they're designed to keep the combined tax rate steady at about $3.09 per $1,000 of assessed property value through 2030. The district says state funding only covers the basics, leaving gaps in areas like mental health resources, advanced courses, athletics, dual language programs, and the $9.5 million annual shortfall in legally required special education services. (info)

Events:

• Free Family-Friendly Cooking Class on January 26th. (info)

• King County Basic Disaster Skills Training on January 28th. (info)

• Middle School Dodgeball Tournament on January 30th. (info)

• Issaquah Pre-School Open House on January 31st, and February 11th. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Kirkland launches "Conversations with Council" to bring leaders closer to residents: Kirkland is rolling out a new pilot program called Conversations with Council, offering casual drop-in sessions where residents can chat directly with City Councilmembers in an informal setting with no agenda or formal presentations—just open conversation. Two to three councilmembers will rotate through three quarterly gatherings held at different locations like community centers, libraries, and parks, with the first event set for January 27 at Peter Kirk Community Center from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by sessions in February at Kingsgate Library and March at North Kirkland Community Center. Mayor Kelli Curtis says the program is about building stronger community connections and giving residents an accessible way to share ideas and get to know their elected officials. (info)

Events:

• Thursday TL RC Social Run/Walk on January 30th. (info)

• Keller Williams Blood Drive on February 5th. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• Sound Transit's Crosslake Connection opens March 28, linking Seattle and the Eastside by rail: Sound Transit will open the Crosslake Connection on March 28, completing the 2 Line by connecting Lynnwood to Redmond via the first light rail system in the world built on a floating bridge across Lake Washington. The final segment adds stations at Mercer Island and Judkins Park and connects with the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station, expanding the regional system from 55 to 63 miles and wrapping up the voter-approved ST2 expansion from 2008. Trains will run every 8 minutes during peak times at the new stations, with combined service through the busy downtown core arriving every 4 minutes, and the project required groundbreaking engineering to run electric trains across a moving body of water. (info)

Events:

• Restoration Event | Mercerdale Hillside on January 31st. (info)

• City Council Regular Hybrid Meeting on February 3rd. (info)

• Hopelink Mobile Food Market on February 4th. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• No news this week!

Events:

• Stargazing Bear Paint Party on Jan. 27 from 6:30-8:30pm. (info)

• Cirque Du Soleil ECHO on Jan. 28 from 7:30-9:30pm. (info)

• Trivia at Postdoc Brewing from 8-9:45pm. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Armondo Pavone Reaffirms Renton’s Non-Cooperation with ICE: The Mayor of Renton issued a January 25, 2026 statement assuring residents that Renton police will not assist federal immigration enforcement, citing state law and reaffirming the city’s commitment to community safety regardless of immigration status. (info)

• Color Me Mine Opens First Washington Location in Renton: The national ceramics painting studio opened its first Washington outpost in January 2026 at The Landing in Renton, offering hands-on pottery painting, community events, and school partnerships led by local owners Anna and Steve Yantorni. (info)

Events:

• Sunday Funday: Tasting Flights on Feb 1 from 3-4:30pm. (info)

• After Hours Concert with Lulu Swing on Feb. 14 from 8-10pm. (info)

• Sushi Roll Class on Feb. 21 from 11am-1:30pm. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Sammamish Police Clarifies E-Bike Rules and Safety Expectations: In a January 22, 2026 update, police explained that Sammamish follows Washington state e-bike classifications, bans bikes from soft-surface trails, enforces a 15 mph limit on paved paths, and encourages helmet use, while distinguishing legal e-bikes from faster electric motorcycles that fall under motor vehicle laws. (info)

Events:

• Story Sphere - Stories bring us together on Jan. 30 from 4:30-5:30pm. (info)

• Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 on Jan. 31 at 1pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• Woodinville Opens 2026 Community Grants Program: The city is accepting applications through February 22, 2026 for $25,000 in community grant funding to support local events and activities that promote the local economy, with awards issued on a reimbursement basis following City Council approval. (info)

• Woodinville Invites Public Ideas for 2027–2032 Capital Improvement Plan: The city is accepting resident proposals through March 15, 2026 for infrastructure and facility projects, including streets, parks, surface water, and land acquisition, to help shape Woodinville’s next six-year Capital Improvement Plan. (info)

Events:

• Sushi & Wine Dinner Date Night at L’Ecole N.41 Woodinville on Jan 30 from 6:30-8pm. (info)

• Bark and Burbon on Feb. 1 from 2-5pm. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Dan Gui Chinese Cuisine (Issaquah, WA): Dan Gui Chinese Cuisine opened in early 2025 and has quickly become the go-to for bold, home-style Chinese comfort dishes that feel both fresh and familiar — think stir-fried beef with jade mushrooms, garlic a-choy, and house-special fried rice that hits all the savory notes. Locals are already raving about the generous portions and family-friendly vibe, which makes this one of Issaquah’s best recent additions if you’re craving authentic classics with a little modern polish.

Weather this Week:

• Bellevue rolls into the week of January 26th with classic winter energy, cloudy skies, cool air, and a steady chance of rain lingering throughout the days. It’s the perfect setup for cozy routines, layering up, and enjoying the quiet rhythm of winter before spring slowly starts to peek through.