The Bellevue Downtown Association honored prominent civic leaders at its 38th annual celebration Thursday.
More than 400 business and community leaders attended the event at Meydenbauer Center in downtown Bellevue.
“We salute the legacy of hard work and shared vision fueling our city and its urban center,” said Leslie Lloyd, BDA president. “We’ve seen rapid growth over the past 10 years, and it will take continued focus and leadership from throughout our community to stay competitive and nurture a thriving and livable downtown.”
Following the awards program, keynote speaker Christopher B. Leinberger discussed the convergence of the two largest generations in American history, baby boomers and millenials, is creating a structural shift in demographics and real estate. The author, developer and professor of urban planning said both the young and old are pushing for pedestrian-friendly downtowns that can be employment centers and residential hubs.
2011 Place Making Award Winners
Community Treasure: Bellevue Life Spring and Bellevue Rotary Club
Bellevue LifeSpring, formerly Overlake Service League, celebrated its 100th year of outreach to families and school-age children in Bellevue. The Bellevue Rotary Club marked its 50th year of service and leadership in downtown and the greater community.
Commute Champion: CH2M Hill
CH2M HILL is a major downtown Bellevue employer with a growing number of workers commuting by transit, bicycle, van/car pools, and on foot. The company has strong participation in its commute benefits program, and about 70 percent of CH2M Hill’s 300 employees in Bellevue use a non drive-alone travel mode at least once per week.
Deal of the Year: East Link Project Memorandum of Understanding, Sound Transit and City of Bellevue
The MOU outlines a collaborative design process and cost saving measures to afford a downtown light-rail tunnel that offers excellent station access while preserving arterial capacity.
Leadership: Grant Degginger
For more than 20 years of public service, Grant Degginger has been a strong and consistent voice in support of downtown and its role as the economic and cultural heart of the Eastside.
Opening of the Year: Bellevue Braids Project, Washington State Department of Transportation
Funded by state fuel tax revenues and accelerated by the federal stimulus, the Bellevue Braids project opened nine months ahead of schedule, and promptly enhanced mobility on I-405 and downtown access with on ramps from the city’s new Northeast 10th Street overpass.
Place Maker of 2011: Visit Bellevue Washington
Launched in 2011, this initiative created the city’s official destination marketing organization and a major campaign platform to attract leisure travelers and convention visitors. Visit Bellevue Washington (VBW) is led by a stakeholder advisory committee and receives support from VBW affiliate members, the Bellevue Convention Center Authority and Meydenbauer Center.
