Bellevue is doubling down on its commitment to the arts and affordable housing with the selection of BRIDGE Housing and Su Development for two key projects in the BelRed Arts District. These developments aim to bolster both living and cultural opportunities right next to the bustling BelRed light rail station. According to the City of Bellevue, these projects align with Bellevue’s Affordable Housing Strategy and seek to advance the city's housing and economic development goals.
Director of the city’s Office of Housing, Bianca Siegl, expressed enthusiasm for the potential these projects have to enrich the community. "This marks a significant opportunity for the City of Bellevue, in both housing development and support of the arts and cultural ecosystem," Siegl remarked in a statement obtained by the City of Bellevue news release. With affordable housing a pressing concern, these projects are timed to join the city's more extensive plan that includes the creation or preservation of 5,700 affordable housing units over the next decade.
BRIDGE Housing looks to innovatively transform a 1.15-acre parcel into a community featuring at least 172 affordable homes. These units are designed not just to provide living spaces but also to nurture the creative process of artists, with dedicated arts and cultural facilities. The development promises to seamlessly connect residents to their neighbors and the nearby light rail station.
In collaboration with the city and Sound Transit, Su Development will, instead, replace an existing park-and-ride lot. Their plan includes a 302-stall parking garage flagged by a blend of market-rate and affordable housing units. A ground-floor arts and culture hub, designed to feature programs led by the BelRed Arts District Alliance, will also be part of the mix, giving local artists and creative entrepreneurs new platforms.
The BelRed Arts District is no stranger to evolution, already hosting over 100 creative businesses and cultural organizations. These proposed projects will further propel the district into becoming a dynamic hub. The BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, as highlighted by the city, has been instrumental in steering the neighborhood toward this vibrant future.
