Bellevue city staff has found a cheap and easy fix for Newport Hills residents and businesses concerned about the lack of awareness about their shopping district.

The city council is responding to requests from the Newport Hills Community Club for informational signs directing shoppers to the neighborhood shopping center from two access points on Coal Creek Parkway at 119th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 60th Street.

Land Use Director Carol Helland told city councilmembers Monday, Nov. 11, the quickest solution allowed within Bellevue’s current sign code is to put up neighborhood designation signs directing drivers to the Newport Hills Shopping District, however, code does not allow for off-site commercial signage.

“It is not permitted to include any specific business content,” she said, adding such signs may be permitted by the state for motorist informational signs.

Two green, double-sided designation signs would only cost $2,700 to manufacture and install, but would take up to five weeks to complete, said Helland, and can be paid for using minor capital through the traffic operations programs.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Robertson said she is pleased with the quick and inexpensive turnaround following council’s request last month and the council appears ready to approve the project at its Monday meeting. She said she spoke with the president for the Newport Hills Community Club, who also voiced her support.

“They heard that we had a need and they heard that we had a quick need, and that was definitely addressed with the sign that they came up with,” said Michelle Hilhorst, shopping center liaison for the NHCC, adding the neighborhood logo was an unexpected bonus. “They’re quite large, which I think is great. They’re definitely going to be noticeable.”