Strong neighborhoods have long been a calling card for Bellevue. The names Lake Hills, Surrey Downs, Downtown and Old Main all evoke an image of a signature business, style or park. But when one mentions the area Uptown Bellevue, little comes to mind.
A group of business owners and a long-time resident are attempting to change that.
Recently, the small group began an effort to “brand” the area as a hub for families and small businesses that feed off the vibrant energy of Downtown Bellevue.
“The ultimate idea is just making this neighborhood a little more united, because it does have its own flavor,” said Gloria Ramirez, who has lived in the Palazzo building for the last seven years.
The idea came to Ramirez, when a merchant approached her about helping to make the neighborhood north of Northeast Ninth Street between 102nd-112th avenues more distinctive. The area features numerous new buildings, and small independent businesses.
When Ramirez, an urban planning student at the University of Washington, was approached she decided the idea would give her both civic pride, and a subject for her thesis. With the continued growth of downtown, and the potential addition of a regional attraction in the Tateuchi Center at Northeast 10th Street and 106th Avenue Northeast, now is the time to create an identity, Ramirez said.
She began by trying to engage the nearby residents, a pursuit that came up empty. Out of the countless buildings she visited to hand out surveys about the neighborhood, she only received four responses. So it was time to turn her attention to the other primary element in this north Bellevue neighborhood – businesses.
The area features a mixture of independent, new and traditional businesses. Many of these businesses have been around for years, even decades, but there hasn’t been much of a relationship between them, said Polly Teeter, owner of Del-Teet Contemporary Furniture, which has been in its location for 25 years.
“We basically hadn’t talked at all before,” Teeter said. “No one ever took the time and effort to bring this all together.”
The businesses began a monthly “stakeholder meeting” in January to discuss the neighborhood’s future. The plan is in its very early stages, and no concrete proposals have been developed yet. Ramirez suggested pursuing some landscaping changes and design features throughout the neighborhood.
The businesses may soon hold a wine and art walk, Ramirez said. And Ramirez said, just to get businesses and residents talking, she has thought about inviting business owners to regular socials at Washington Square.
Jia Mooko, owner and manager of Flo Japanese Restaurant, said several of the local businesses banned together to make a donation to Medina Elementary School. Though a small act, she said, this will help establish an identity for the businesses of Uptown Bellevue.
Mooko said eight or nine businesses were involved in the donation, and merchants are continuing to reach out to other possible members.
Teeter said a similar movement on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in the past helped create a great retail environment. This history pushed her to get involved with the movement.
What will come out of these talks remains to be seen. It could be a unified organization, similar to the Bellevue Downtown Association. At the very least, Teeter said, it will let the residents of Bellevue know that the great shopping experience doesn’t end at the north side of Northeast Eighth Street.
“The ultimate outcome is to remind the folks in the Bellevue area of the small businesses that exist and offer experience you may not find from the Big-Box folks.”
