| Resting in the shadow of Seattle, Bellevue redefines | | | | top floors are occupied by residential housing. |
| what it means to be environmentally friendly. From | | | | While these are not high-end development plays that |
| establishing green policies and regulations surpassing | | | | would likely attract retailers such as drug stores and |
| that of most American cities to adopting a green | | | | grocers, they are ideal for the growing population of |
| approach toward community expansion, Bellevue is an | | | | young professionals looking for just the right location |
| ideal location for environmentally-sound development | | | | in the center of Bellevue. |
| projects. | | | | The City of Bellevue is also committed to "green" |
| Bellevue is home to more than 145 Fortune 500 | | | | construction as evidenced by its outreach programs |
| companies, with Microsoft and Expedia headquartered | | | | to local builders. The uniqueness of Bellevue is its |
| in the city. Many of the region's high powered | | | | ability to cater to smaller builders, working with the |
| executives live in the community and have invested | | | | United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and its |
| in the civic, cultural, and political infrastructure to | | | | LEED designation to design programs to encourage |
| enhance Bellevue's quality of life. | | | | brownfield development. As a result, establishing |
| Recently named by Fortune Small Business magazine | | | | green building standards is often looked upon as a |
| as the "best place in the nation to live and launch a | | | | prerequisite to breaking ground in Bellevue and the |
| business", there is a passion for the growth and a | | | | State and City have placed a high priority on |
| deep community dedication to environmental action | | | | empowering smaller, environmentally aware builders, |
| and upkeep. | | | | to take on green projects in Bellevue. |
| There are a number of both infill and brownfield | | | | While higher development costs and premiums to |
| development opportunities in Bellevue, many of which | | | | meet Bellevue's stringent environmental standards |
| are in the downtown area. These parcels are | | | | have created a barrier to entry for some developers, |
| generally comprised of former gas stations and retail | | | | the advantages to building in the city are vast. The |
| space that has reached the end of its economic life. | | | | financial stability, community commitment and |
| In addition, their location along and near Main Street, | | | | long-term viability of the city make the delivery of |
| make them prime candidates for mixed-use | | | | green sound projects in Bellevue an ideal opportunity |
| retail-residential developments, in which the ground | | | | in any market climate. |
| floor would consist of a commercial retailer and the | | | | |