In the News
Bellevue City Council meetings in which light rail was an agenda topic are available for online viewing in the Bellevue TV archives, along with text versions of the council agenda.
To view a meeting or text agenda, follow these steps: find the date of the meeting you want; go to the BTV Archived Videos ; scroll down the list of council meetings to the desired date and type of meeting (“Council Study Session” or “Council Regular Session"); click the “Video” link on the right side of the page; on the left side of the page, beneath the video picture, where it says “Jump to,” use the arrow to scroll down the meeting agenda topic you wish to view; click on the agenda topic and the video segment will begin.
Local media has also covered the issue of light rail in Bellevue and the city has posted news releases. News releases and a sampling of media articles are available for review here.
2013
"Council, Sound Transit, neighbors all happy with city's new land use code ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 27
"City Council approves code changes for light rail ," City News Release, Feb. 26
"Residents concerned Sound Transit will steamroll city, property owners ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 24
"Sound Transit to begin field work on light rail line in Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 8
2012
"Bellevue considers code amendments for light rail ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 12
"City faces emotional opposition to light rail savings plan ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 5
"Light rail plans tweaked for Bellevue; public meetings soon ," Seattle Times, Sept. 27
"Bellevue City Council OKs direction on light rail permitting process ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 24
"Bellevue skeptical of sites for Sound Transit's rail yards ," Seattle Times, Sept. 23
"Light-rail plan moves ahead in Bellevue ," Seattle Times, June 28
"Council Roundup: Light-rail work plan approved ," City News Release, June 27
"Group says light-rail tunnel through all of South Bellevue could save millions ," Bellevue Reporter, June 13
"2 groups sue over Bellevue light-rail plan as it moves ahead ," Seattle Times, June 13
"City, Sound Transit on track to cut light-rail costs ," Bellevue Reporter, June 11
"Second open house on light rail cost savings ," City News Release, May 31
"Council Roundup: Light rail cost savings considered ," City News Release, May 31
"Bellevue light-rail route could put some on the wrong side of the tracks ," Seattle Times, May 15
2011
"Council Roundup: Light-rail pact approved 7-0 ," City News Release, Nov. 15
"It's unanimous: Bellevue City Council OKs light-rail agreement ," Bellevue Reporter, Nov. 15
"Bellevue light-rail plan gets 7-0 City Council OK ," Seattle Times, Nov. 15
"Bellevue Council wants more time for light-rail negotiations, sets public hearing ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 25
"Bellevue Council wants more time for light-rail negotiations ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 19
"Council Roundup: More time asked for light rail accord ," City News Release, Oct. 18
"Residents irked over potential design changes to light rail routes ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 10
"Residents continue debate over light rail ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 27
"Council Roundup: East Link hearing draws crowd ," City News Release, Sept. 27
"Council Roundup: Paying for a light rail tunnel ," City News Release, Sept. 20
"Community turns out for light rail open house ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 20
"Bellevue seeks views on light rail as deadline nears ," Seattle Times, Sept. 19
"Bellevue's Capital Improvement Plan budget facing financial troubles, impact on East Link unknown ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 13
"Public meetings scheduled to review light-rail design ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 8
"Council Roundup: Inviting comments on light rail options ," City News Release, Sept. 7
"Bellevue OKs outline of light-rail talks with Sound Transit over route ," Bellevue Reporter, Aug. 9
"Bellevue to decide on tunnel terms next week ," Bellevue Reporter, Aug. 2
"Sound Transit selects downtown tunnel light-rail route in Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, July 28
"Council Roundup: Fresh ideas for East Link route ," City News Release, July 19
"Bellevue, Sound Transit down to the wire on light-rail deal ," Bellevue Reporter, July 19
"Council Roundup: Light rail environmental review discussed ," City News Release, July 13
"Bellevue, Sound Transit to meet over light-rail route ," Bellevue Reporter, July 12
"Bellevue, Sound Transit, engaged in 'high-level' discussions over light-rail route ," Bellevue Reporter, July 8
"Final B7-Revised open house June 29 ," City News Release, June 24
"Council wraps up East Link study ," Bellevue Reporter, June 14
"Council Roundup: Light rail report headed to Sound Transit ," City News Release, June 14
"Sound Transit ready to 'pull the trigger' on East Link ," Bellevue Reporter, June 1
"Execs urge Bellevue council to settle on light-rail route ," Seattle Times, May 19
"Council get look at consultant's light-rail report ," Bellevue Reporter, May 17
"Council Roundup: City releases independent report on light rail routes ," City News Release, May 12,
"I-90 light-rail opponents led by Kemper Freeman lose case at high court ," Seattle Times, Apr. 21
"Sound Transit spending millions more to muffle rail noise ," Seattle Times, Mar.10
"Bellevue neighbors present new East Link alignment they say could save money ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 22
"Kemper Freeman quits Bellevue business group his father founded ," Seattle Times, Feb. 8
"Council Roundup: Update on city's light rail proposal ," City News Release, Feb. 15
"Light rail fractures Bellevue council ," Seattle Times, Jan. 11
"Bellevue wants Sound Transit to delay final East Link destination through south Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 4
"Council Roundup: East Link comments, work plan discussed ," City News Release, Jan. 4
2010
"More review of East Link draft report ," City News Release, Dec. 14
"Council awards East Link engineering contract for its preferred alternative ," Bellevue Reporter, Dec. 7
"Debate between south Bellevue light-rail alignments dominates public hearing ," Bellevue Reporter, Nov. 30
"Council Roundup: East Link environmental work scrutinized ," City News Release, Nov. 9
"Sound Transit releases East Link SDEIS ," Bellevue Reporter, Nov. 4
"Bellevue City Council reviews design work on future 15th/16th Street ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 26
"Council Roundup: Council reviews design work on future 15th/16th Street ," City News Release, Oct. 26
"Bellevue to study light-rail route ," Seattle Times, Oct. 4
"Bellevue council votes for more study of its preferred light-rail route ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 4
"Rail foes challenge I-90 plan ," Seattle Times, Sept. 16
"Supreme Court hears request of light-rail opponents to ban building tracks on Interstate 90 ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 17
"Council continues analysis on railway corridor route for Bellevue light-rail ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 14
"Sound Transit will rethink Bellevue tunnel in light of bad economy ," Bellevue Reporter, Aug. 12
"Prolonged recession adds to Sound Transit budget hole ," Seattle Times, Aug. 5
"Sound Transit news release on East Link ," City News Release, July 23
"Sound Transit Board makes light rail decision, exchanges barbs with Bellevue mayor ," Bellevue Reporter, July 23
"Bellevue Mayor criticizes Sound Transit on light rail routes ," Seattle Times, July 22
"Light Rail: Bellevue Council not budging on 112th Avenue," Bellevue Reporter, July 21 "Bellevue Council sticks with light rail route Sound Transit Opposes," Seattle Times, July 20 "Council Roundup: Majority still backs B7 light rail line," City News Release, July 20 "Bellevue Group trying to keep Sound Transit light-rail away from homes," Seattle Times, July 9 "New developments emerge in Bellevue light rail saga," Bellevue Reporter, July 9 "Council Roundup: 112th Ave. light rail options explored," City News Release, July 7
"Be heard on Bellevue light rail at Sound Transit workshop," Seattle Times, July 6 "New tunnel, more grumbling as light decision nears," Bellevue Reporter, July 1 "Shorter downtown tunnel proposed for East Link," Seattle Times, June 24
"Residents can give input on light rail route tonight," City News Release, June 10 "National register house in Bellevue lies within path of light rail ," Seattle Times, May 27
"City Council gives OK to hire experts to advise on light rail route ," Bellevue Reporter,May 12
"Council Roundup: Light rail oversight continues ," City News Release, May 11
"Sound Transit needs to work with Bellevue on light rail route ," Bellevue Reporter, May 4
"Tunnel included in ST's new light rail route ," City News Release, April 23
"Sound Transit supports tunnel, 112th light rail routes ," Seattle Times, April 22
"Sound Transit names preferred light rail routes for Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, April 22
"Bellevue Council sets terms to guide funding of light rail tunnel ," Bellevue Reporter, April 21
"Council Roundup: Light rail tunnel still on table ," City News Release, April 20
"Council Roundup: Light rail tunnel funding considered ," City News Release, April 14
"Sound Transit committee names new Bellevue light rail preferences ," Bellevue Reporter, April 8
"Learn more about light rail in Bel-Red, Overlake ," Seattle Times, March 30
"Bellevue City Council unanimous on new downtown light rail tunnel ," Bellevue Reporter, March 23
"Council Roundup: Light rail tunnel plans draw full-on support ,"City News Release, March 23
"New group wants in on transit conversation ," Bellevue Reporter, March 19
"Bellevue Council chooses new tunnel route for downtown light rail ," Bellevue Reporter, March 17
"Council Roundup: Downtown light rail tunnel preferred ," City News Release, March 16
"Bellevue Council backs downtown tunnel ," Seattle Times, March 15
"Bellevue Council took messy route changing preferene for light rail ," Bellevue Reporter, March13
"Council Roundup: East Link recommendation updated ," City News Release, March 9
"Bellevue preparing to revise preferred route for southern light rail ," Bellevue Reporter, March 3
"Bellevue drops Mercer Slough light rail route ," Seattle Times, March 1
"Council Roundup: Focus narrows on light rail options ," City News Release, Feb. 17
"Light rail open house Thursday ," City News Release, Feb. 16
"Council, Sound Transit to discuss light rail routes ," City News Release, Feb.12
"Hopes, fears at light rail meeting in Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 12
"East Link workshop focuses on downtown Bellevue light rail ," Seattle Times, Feb. 11
"Bellevue Council, Sound Transit grapple with cost and ridership for downtown ," Seattle Times, Feb. 11
"Bellevue neighborhoods split on downtown light rail line ," Seattle Times, Feb. 10
"Bellevue City Council, Sound Transit to discuss light rail options on Thursday, Feb. 11 ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 9
"Light rail 'vision' elevated track would run along I-405 ," Seattle Times, Feb. 8
"Light rail, the Vision Line, and the question of four blocks ," seattlepi.com, Feb. 8
"Bellevue Council to discuss Mercer Slough route with Sound Transit ," Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 1
"Bellevue considers light rail through treasured wetland ," Seattle Times, Jan. 30
"East Link presentation to Sound Transit Board postponed ," Seattle Times, Jan. 27
"Council Roundup: More study for new light rail option ," City News Release, Jan. 26
"Bellevue Council will discuss new East Link allignment through Mercer Slough ," Seattle Times, Jan. 25
"A new vision for Eastside light rail ," Seattle Times, Jan. 24
"City working on compromise for South Bellevue light rail," Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 22
"Tentative deal reached on I-90 bridge light rail ," Seattle Times, Jan. 21
"Sound Transit reaches agreement on light rail across I-90 ," seattlepi.com, Jan. 21
"Council Roundup: Light rail route re-examined ," City News Release, Jan. 20
"Bellevue Council will consider changing preferred light rail routes ," Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 14
"Council Roundup: Light rail discussed ," City News Release, Jan. 12
"Bellevue councilwoman Claudia Balducci named to Sound Transit board ," Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 8
"Council member Balducci appointed to Sound Transit board ," Seattle Times, Jan. 7
"New Bellevue mayor Davidson discusses light rail ," Seattle Times, Jan. 6
"Light rail and the economy on the mind of new Bellevue mayor ," Seattle Times, Jan. 5
2009
"New light-rail plan avoids downtown core ," Bellevue Reporter, Nov. 16
"Bellevue council, residents get chance to talk about light rail alignment ," Seattle Times, Nov. 13
"Proposed Bellevue light-rail alignment eliminates need for a tunnel ," Seattle Times, Nov. 12
"Two meetings to highlight downtown light rail alternatives ," City News Release, Nov. 12
"Latest light rail tunnel option encouraging ," City News Release, Oct. 13
"Light rail to be the focus of Eastside meetings this week ," seattlepi.com, Oct. 12
"Be heard about proposed Bellevue light rail tunnel ," Seattle Times, Oct. 9
"Light rail is focus of upcoming council session, workshops ," Bellevue Reporter, Oct. 9
"Sound Transit interested in new Bellevue tunnel option ," Seattle Times, Oct. 8
"Kemper Freeman says light rail is 'off the track ,'" Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 25 "Sound Transit studying a new tunnel option for downtown Bellevue ," Seattle Times, Sept. 24
"Sound Transit presenting another routing alternative for light rail in downtown Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 24 "East Link debate | Could a routing solution come from the outside ?" Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 23 "Bellevue Mayor Grant Degginger talks about city, transportation ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 23
"Light rail: How will it look on the Eastside ?" Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 22
"Waiting on the train: Light rail equals opportunity, headaches for Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, Sept. 22 "Surrey Downs making noise about light-rail racket ," Bellevue Reporter, Aug. 10
"Council briefed on East Link light rail ," City News Release, July 15
"Bellevue City Council still worried about street-level light rail in downtown ," Bellevue Reporter, May 21
"Light Rail and Bellevue ," It's Your City newsletter, June edition
"Council briefed on East Link light rail," City News Release, June 15 "Street-level light rail in Bellevue is front-runner in study ," Seattle Times, May 15
"Sound Transit board chooses preferred East Link routes ," Bellevue Reporter, May 14
"Council statement on Sound Transit's East Link decision ," City News Release, May 14
"An East Link tunnel won't choke off Bellevue downtown ," Seattle Times, May 11
"Bellevue's creative tunnel vision ," Seattle Times, May 10
"Bellevue eyes Sound Transit train tunnel; Microsoft wants surface route ," Seattle Times, May 4
"BDA disagrees with city on preferred light-rail tunnel for downtown Bellevue ," Bellevue Reporter, April 13 "East Link bridge funding back on track ," seattlepi.com, April 6
"Sound Transit: I-90 bridge project needs state funding now ," seattlepi.com, March 31
"Eastside light rail: yes, but where ?" seattlepi.com, March 29
"Problems with light rail route ," Bellevue Reporter, March 20
“Bellevue council approves light-rail route that includes tunnel ,” Seattle Times, Feb. 25
“Bellevue OKs downtown tunnel for light rail ,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Feb. 25
“City Council chooses Bellevue Way as preferred light-rail route ,” Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 24
“Bellevue council chooses light rail route along Bellevue Way ,” Seattle Times, Feb. 24
“Council chooses preferred light rail route ,” City News Release, Feb. 24
“Not all on board with Bellevue Way light-rail proposal ,” Seattle Times, Feb. 21
“City Council near decision on light rail route ” Bellevue Reporter, Feb. 20
“Bellevue looks to light rail to shape its growth ,” Seattle Times, Feb. 13
“Re-envisioning Bel-Red ,” Seattle Times, Feb. 13
“Council Roundup: On track for Feb. 23 light rail recommendation ,” City News Release, Feb. 11
“Residents comment on light rail plans ,” City News Release, Feb. 3
“Bellevue sounds off on East Link ,” Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 30
“Council Roundup: Council drills deeper into light rail plan ,” City News Release, Jan. 27
“Council Roundup: light rail options pondered ,” City News Release, Jan. 13
“Bellevue City Council spends study session discussing light rail ,” Bellevue Reporter, Jan. 13
2008
“Comments wanted on light rail for Eastside ,” City News Release, Dec. 15
“Sound Transit unveils East Link light rail options ,” Bellevue Reporter, Dec. 5
“Council Roundup: preparing for possible light rail ,” City News Release, Sept. 3
“Council Roundup: Residents comment on proposed light rail ,” City News Release, July 30
“Council Roundup: Council delves into light rail best practices ,” City News Release, July 9
“Public invited to Light Rail Best Practices open house ,” City News Release, Jan. 7
2007
“Public invited to comment on transportation plan ,” City News Release, Nov. 13
“Planning for light rail in Bellevue continues Nov. 14 , City News Release, Nov. 9
“Council endorses Roads and Transit plan ,” City News Release, Oct. 25
“Light rail proposal presented for Bellevue residents ,” City News Release, Sept. 28
“Public outreach begins for proposed light rail line ,” City News Release, Sept. 10
“City Council invites comments on Roads and Transit plan ,” City News Release, July 23
“Light rail planning meeting tonight ,” City News Release, April 4
2006
“West Bellevue residents fault light-rail decision process ,” Seattle Times, Dec. 30
“Panel: Tunnel won't be only option studied for light rail ,” Seattle Times, Dec. 15
“Bellevue wants light-rail tunnel through town ,” Seattle Times, Dec. 13
“Regional Transit: Light rail it is ,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 17
“Light rail chosen to link Seattle ,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 14
“Bellevue Council prefers light rail over buses ,” Seattle Times, July 11, 2006
City Manager's Office
Contact: David Grant, Public Information Officer
Phone: 425-452-4397
E-mail: dgrant@bellevuewa.gov
