On May 5, 2026, Bellevue's City Council signed off on a plan to help KidsQuest Children's Museum take over the former Bellevue Arts Museum building, moving the long-running kids' institution into the heart of downtown. The vote unlocks up to $10 million in public support, with an initial appropriation to get work rolling. KidsQuest says the larger space is slated to open in 2029 and could welcome many more Eastside families.
Council signs off on a $10 million package
Under Ordinance No. 6915, the city agreed to a funding agreement worth up to $10,000,000 over the next two biennia and adjusted the 2025–26 General Fund to pull an initial $4,500,000 from the Long Range Planning Reserve, according to the City of Bellevue council packet. Instead of cutting a single unrestricted check, the ordinance links the city’s contribution to a formal funding agreement and specific project milestones.
KidsQuest already under contract for the BAM building
KidsQuest and the Bellevue Arts Museum first unveiled their purchase-and-sale agreement in October 2025, setting the stage for the children's museum to move into the architecturally notable downtown space. In the meantime, KidsQuest plans to keep operating at 1116 108th Ave NE while it designs, fundraises and builds out the new site. "KidsQuest is rooted in community," CEO Putter Bert said in a press release from KidsQuest Children's Museum. The same release targets 2029 for opening the renovated Steven Holl–designed building and projects the expanded museum could draw more than 350,000 visitors a year.
What this means for BAM and downtown
For the Bellevue Arts Museum, the sale offers a way to pay off creditors and rebuild its board after a rocky stretch. The institution has been under receivership since 2024, according to reporting by The Seattle Times. City leaders and museum officials argue that keeping the distinctive Steven Holl building in public use also fits Bellevue’s broader downtown planning goals and the Grand Connection vision, instead of letting a landmark sit dark.
Next steps and questions
The ordinance authorizes the city manager to hammer out and sign the funding agreement, with money going out in phases as KidsQuest hits certain milestones. The deal still hinges on closing the purchase and securing permits for renovations. The council vote and KidsQuest’s timeline were detailed by the Puget Sound Business Journal, which reported that KidsQuest expects to complete the move by mid-2029 as it finalizes the capital plan and fundraising schedule.
