About Bellevue's Downtown

Here is a view of downtown Bellevue from my office off NE 8^th street. I see this view every morning as the sun rises and people are going to work. In the evening I get to experience some of the most beautiful views that Bellevue has to offer.

I labeled some of the buildings that can be see in the picture. Stay tune for more pictures of these amazing buildings as they can be seen from all around the greater Eastside area.

A- The Bellevue City Center

B- The Meydenbauer Center

C- The Key Center

D- The Bellevue Transit Center

E- The Symetra Building

F- The Bravern Condominiums

G- The Bellevue Plaza Center

H- NE 8^th Street

You can see five cranes currently working in downtown just in this picture. Two of the cranes are on Bravern Condominiums as they are working diligently to finish on time for the GRAND opening coming late winter.

Have you been to the Downtown Bellevue Park? Amazing what you see here, view of downtown buildings, Bellevue Square (shopping mall), sculptures of art, Bellevue condos being built on every corner and just happy people enjoying the sunny day.

I'm seating under a school of trees just center of the park. The trees can be seen from every direction and are one of the many symbols that represent the Bellevue Park. (on the right you can see the "Bellevue Towers")

I'm facing west, trying to work on a tan but most importantly enjoying the sun in the Pacific Northwest as I blog.In front of me facing West, is open country with ample room to run and play.

To my right is the North entrance to the park which you can see JP Penny and Bellevue Square Mall.

Behind me is the East entrance to the park, the tower on the left is the Westin Hotel, and to the right are the Bellevue Towers.

To my left is Meydenbauer Bay, high end shopping boutiques, and the South entrance to the park. New condos coming soon as you can see the crane in the background.

I went to the car to grab a candy bar and my bottled water and as I was walking back to my bag, I noticed a Bride and Groom having their pictures taken. I went up to them and ask if I could take a picture of them as I have never seen any newlyweds at the park, and I come to the park often. Thank you guys for the opportunity, I wish you both the best the world has to offer. Congratulations!

If you're planning on coming down to the park, I recommend parking on the south entrance as it has more parking stalls and close to the heart of the park.

I'm sitting here typing this blog and I have three dogs trying to see what I'm up to. They seem friendly but too hyper for me, they must have just taken a "dog nap".

People are great with keeping their dogs on leashes but there are those that don't care and let them roam freely. To each their own.

A group of children are playing hide-and-go-seek around those tall trees in the center of the park. The sounds that they make remind me of my son Judah.

Two friends hanging out and enjoying the park after riding their bikes

These guys are ready to ride again after relaxing their feet in the water. Thanks guys.

Many activities are represented at the park. Here are just a few going on right now...

• Soccer
• Biking
• Football
• Frisbee
• Baseball / throwing the ball
• Volleyball
• Running / Jogging

And for those of you that want a more relaxing non-strenuous activities you have...

• Walking
• Reading
• Meditating
• Sunbathing
• Enjoying a picnic
• Sleeping

I just found out that every Saturday at 5pm, a group of dog lovers meet and let their dogs play with other dogs. The dogs are friendly and like to get in peoples business, I find it funny.

It seems like everyone enjoys a quick game of "Throw-the-Frisbee" as it can be seen happing just about anywhere in the park. A group of guys invited me to toss the Frisbee with them. WOW! The force and speed that the Frisbee travels is unreal. These guys must play in a local Frisbee team or something. They thru the Frisbee to me a few times and every single time I dropped it. I need to work on my "A" game. It was fun to join in and be involved. Thanks guys. J

Stay tuned for more of what Downtown Bellevue Park has to offer. If you would like to know more about a specific area of the park, feel free to send me an email or add a comment on my blog.

Thank you.

Yesterday I commented on the emerging Sprinkler Workers Strike at The Bravern and Bellevue Towers. Here is a quick update from today's Seattle PI

Today the Headline: Strike Continues to Halt Construction is an update. Apparently the Sprinklers Union began striking on Tuesday July 1st, and is now supported by several other Trade Unions. The main issue is the wages and benefits offered to 'apprentice' Union members. Currently Apprentice members start at around $15 an hour, have no health insurance, no sick or vacation pay, and it takes up to FIVE years to become a full Union member.

The date for United Association of Sprinkler Fitters & Apprentices Local 669 to sit down with developers is next Thursday, July 11th.

Unions are a double edged sword - they clearly provide protections for workers, they also provide the most protection for the most 'senior' workers within the union itself, and this extra protection and benefit structure often comes at the expense of 'junior' or in this case 'Apprentice' members.

The Union representatives are senior union members, they are going to make sure their peers are taken care of before the Apprentices are. The developer just wants the job done well and within a certain budget range. If a union really wants to represent the best possible outcome for the greatest number of its members, it may have to consider the cost it is choosing to impose on Apprentice members and the unfair benefit it bestows on full members.

If our new global competitive marketplace (for construction services, or superconductors, or soybeans) has taught us anything, it surely has taught us that five years for any worker to earn full benefits is way too long - who do you know that has had the same job for over five years?

Unions need to become more flexible, not only to survive in todays market, but also to attract more members and in turn achieve a greater bargaining position.

What do you think about Union representation WITHIN union membership demographics?

Joseph R Hill, Seatlle Bellevue and Kirkland Washington Real Estate Agent and Consultant

Imagine Properties nw, Keller Williams Realty Bellevue

206.734.4741

THE EDDIE BAUER BUILDING (LINCOLN SQUARE) / Now Complete

Here is a picture of the new Eddie Bauer Building. Its projected to be completed in late December of 2007. This picture was taken few months back and the building is now fully complete.

Here are a few details about the building:

Name: Eddie Bauer Building (Lincoln Square)

Address: 770 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004

Building: office space, parking garage, retail space, and 27 luxury stories

Amenities: Shopping / Hotels / Restaurants / Entertainment / Business Vendors

Shopping:

• Thomasville Home Furnishings
• The Container Store
• Paper Source
• Henredon
• ExOfficio
• Vino 100
• Tully's Coffee

Hotels:

• The Westin (Starwood Preferred Members)

Restaurants:

• Maggianos Little Italy
• Trader Vic's
• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant
• Koots Green Tea
• Manzana Rotisserie Grill
• Cypress

Entertainment:

• The Parlor Billiards and Spirits
• Lincoln Square Cinemas
• Lucky Strike (Bowling)

Business Vendors:

• US BANK
• Truce Spa

Eddie Bauer Building, three quaters finished (December 7, 2006)

Just one week later and they finished three floors. WOW! They are moving FAST! (December 15, 2006)

• One Lincoln Tower is on the left and Eddie Bauer Building is on the right. In the middle you can see the Seattle skyline just floating above Lake Washington.

• The big body of water on the left is Meydenbauer Bay and it connects to Lake Washington.

• Look over to your right and you will see Clyde Hill & VueCrest. These are some of the most prestigious communities on the Eastside.

• The small building in the middle of both towers is the Paccar Building and next to it is the Bank of America building for Bellevue.

In just three months the crew finished 10 floors of construction. With just three floors to go its just a matter of time before they finish. (February 9, 2007)

• Seattle is to the left of the picture. The VERY tall black building is "The Columbia Tower" located in downtown Seattle.